Document question when there's name change.

[Orcrone]

We're taking our birth certificates and drivers licenses for our cruise. As DW's name has changed when she got married, her name on the two docs no longer match. Does she need to bring our marriage certificate to show the reason for the name change?

I appreciate advice on this, but please, let's not turn it into many posts saying "get a passport".

[doone]

I think she will be fine with that and most women's names do change when they marry and everyone is aware of that. BUT if you feel more comfortable, bring your marriage certificate, just in case. I do have to tell you what happened to a girlfriend of mine. She was going to Mexico, her BC had her maiden name on it and her tickets showed her married name. At the last minute, she decided to bring her marriage certificate with her, good thing she did, they Mexican authorities asked her for it. She asked what would have happened if she didn't have this, they said they could deny her entry into Mexico. Now may be this was just someone who was in a bad mood this day who asked her for it, we'll never know, but she sure was glad she had it with her, now she travels with a passport.

[elmorejj]

I would definitely take your marriage licence with you. It won`t hurt to be able to prove the name change....jean :cool:

[Orcrone]

Thanks,

I don't think we were asked last yeaer, but better safe than sorry.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Marc, I definitely would not risk it. Take the Marrige Certificate. Just this past week a co-worker and his wife got the chance to go to Italy because he won the trip thru Toyota. They flew from Las Vegas to Cincinati where they were to board a flight to Rome. Not even thinking there would be a problem she had her 5 year old passport, they had only been married 4 years so her passport was in her maiden name. She still looked exactly the same but her tickets were in her married name. Guess what, they would not let her board. They had to miss that flight and wait till they could find a family member to fax them a copy of the marriage certificate. Luckily they were able to change the tickets to the following day. but they missed one whole days activities because there was only one flight per day. He said they were extremely understanding but no way would they let her board the plane.
So the moral of this story is Learn from others mistakes:) Please take the marriage certificate.

[Orcrone]

Wow Lisa. That's horrible. Ok, the marriage certificates will be there.

[cactuslady]

I don't know how long you've been married, but for those who are cruising soon after changing their names (e.g. honeymoon), be aware:

I understand that HAL will need ID that matches the name you're booked under. You cannot (I'm told) change the name on a booking without being exposed to any fare increase. So be prepared to board under your old name, even if you have to grit your teeth to hear the last name of your ex one more time. :p

When I got married last year and got a new driver's license with my new name, Arizona gave me the old one back (with old name and hole punched through it). I've been carrying both until I'm sure I have my name changed on everything. I waited until after our honeymoon cruise to change my name on my passport.

By the way, a name change on a passport is cheap (or was it free?) and easy. You mail the passport to the passport center, and it comes back a week or two later with your new name on an amendment page inside the back cover. (I'm sure they change the computer records, too, which is the important part when immigration authorities scan your passport.) You can print out a form to do this from the passport office web site. (I just love my passport -- it's the first thing I got after I became a citizen, even though I didn't use it for 15 years afterward. Also, my birth certificate is handwritten, in German, in a book big enough so I don't want to carry it around.)

Once you get on board, the staff quickly learns that your name is not the one you booked under, and greets you accordingly. Also, if you have personalized stationery in your cabin (for suites and verandas, at least), they will reprint it with your new name. Tell the Front Office you were married and changed your name.

Oh, also tell HAL when you book that you are honeymooners, and they'll invite you to a nice reception and photo op with the captain.

[JanAndJeremy]

Hi there,

I'm a Travel Agent with a very popular travel agency and we ALWAYS advise for married women if traveling with a birth certificate to take their marriage cert. Cruise lines will deny you boarding if you do not show why your name has changed from one name to another.

Just to be safe, always travel with both.

See ya on Saturday!

Jan