Travel Tip 107
How to travel after a name change
Welcome to my newsletter! I’m so happy you’re here!
A friend of mine is changing her name after recently getting married, so this particular bureaucratic headache is on my mind. However, people change their names all the time, for all sorts of reasons, so I’m not just writing this for newlyweds.
Which documents to update first?
The goal is consistency: you want the same name on everything. Before you start, make sure you have the marriage certificate, divorce decree or name change order on hand. If you changed the name on your birth certificate, you’ll need the certificate to start this process.
Request a new passport asap.
Even if you don’t have plans to leave the country anytime soon, this is your first step. Wait times for new passports have been erratic since 2020. It could be a few weeks or several months.
This isn’t even half of it. It would take me weeks (or maybe months) to update everything.
Then start with the easiest ones.
There are a lot of easy things you can change that don’t necessarily ask for proof of identity: utility bills and library cards. Depending on what state you live in, it might be relatively easy to change the name on your voter registration, which can be accepted as proof of name and address for lots of identity verifications like getting a Real ID.
Make appointments for more official documents.
Depending on your local DMV regulations, you might need to make an appointment for a name change on your driver’s license. If you can get a Real ID at the same time, definitely do that. Get started on your other official travel documents like Global Entry, TSA Precheck, Clear, Nexus, etc. Even if your driver’s license has your new name, if your Global Entry isn’t updated, they could deny or delay you getting through airport security or boarding a flight. Get a new Social Security card, update IRS and payroll accounts, then start on all the medical stuff, not just insurance but also files at your doctor’s office, any hospital that knows you and any pharmacy you use. If you own property, get your new name on all deeds and titles to houses, land, cars, boats, mortgages, etc.
Tackle all the financial institutions.
Get your new name on your bank accounts and credit cards. This is very simple with some banks, but others make you jump through multiple hoops. If you have credit cards attached to loyalty or points programs, make sure they both reflect your new name or you could be prevented from using your points. Don’t forget Venmo, PayPal, Wise and other money transfer services, especially if you use them when you travel.
Find all your travel accounts.
When you’re getting ready for that first big trip after a name change, make sure all your travel accounts are consistent. That’s not just your name on all the airline loyalty accounts and airline credit cards, it includes travel insurance, hotel loyalty programs, car rental accounts, airport lounge memberships and any travel accounts that you have points with. Make sure your new name is in platforms like AirBnb, Vrbo, Booking, Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, etc.
What if you have to travel before you get everything updated?
Make your reservations with whatever name is on the driver’s license or Real ID you have in your possession. If you get a new ID between the time you buy the plane ticket and the time you fly, change the name on your reservation immediately.
If you get to the airport with mismatched names on your ticket and ID, remember that airline employees and TSA agents are people too, and many of them have been through this process. Explain what you have updated and what documents are still in processing. If you have enough proof of your new name, they’ll usually work with you. If not, you may have to change your reservations back to your old name and work with whatever documents you have with the previous name.
Track what you’ve changed and what’s still in process.
I’m a bit overwhelmed by all this and imagine anybody actually changing their name could be intimidated by this list. Create a spreadsheet to track all of these, or find another way to check your progress through the process.
If you’re changing your name, good luck!
These are huge projects but it’s always so satisfying to share what I love about South America with other travelers.
Did you know I update travel guides?
I’ve had my hands full lately updating the Rough Guide to Chile, so I want to share some of the other guides I’ve done recently. Click on the titles below and use my code AUTHOR0018 to get 30% off.
The Rough Guide to Argentina - South America on a Budget - The Insight Guide to Argentina - The Insight Guide to Chile
You can see all the places my writing appears printed on good, old-fashioned paper here and you can download my guide to Peru here.
