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It seems like every time you turn around, there’s a new security rule you have to remember at the airport. The TSA attempts to reduce the number of people who are misidentified as being on the government’s no-fly list for suspected terrorists. As a result, your airline will now ask you to provide your name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license or passport-whichever ID you plan to present at the gate. Your name in your passport should match your airline ticket.
The New York Times’ Practical Traveler blog has a great article about the Secure Flight initiative and what it means for you. Basically, you need to start making sure that your name is the same on all of the documents you use for travel (passport, driver’s license, frequent-flier accounts, etc). Right now, Secure Flight is still being phased in, and small differences such as having your full middle name on your passport and your middle initial only on the ticket should not keep you from flying.
However, more significant differences between the name on your passport and the name on your ticket can lead airline security to pull you aside for the dreaded “secondary screening.” For example, going by your middle name on your ticket when your passport has your full name can cause problems when you try to board the plane, even if you go by your middle name in everyday life. Whether or not you will be allowed to eventually board the plane is a toss-up, and depends on the judgment of the agent screening you.
Making sure everything matches exactly will become more and more important as the Secure Flight initiative is rolled out. According to the TSA blog, “Over time, passengers should strive to obtain consistency between the name on their ID and the travel information they use for booking flights.” Currently, not all airlines’ booking systems allow the input of middle names, but that should change over the next few months as the system is phased in.
Also, if you want credit for your frequent-flier miles, make sure the name on your frequent flier account matches what is on your driver’s license and passport.
If you need a passport, the easiest and fastest way to get one is to use a private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com. We offer personal service and fast processing times, often as quick as one week!
Good information but still confused about middle names and double barrelled names. I am required to pay Quatar airlines £3000.00 to add a middle name as stated on my passport but not on my ticket as blue bay travel did not relay the info to them straight away. Could I travel as per the ticket???
Generally the airlines want your travel documents to match the name provided at time of booking
I have a question: I’m traveling to Germany in May and have two passports. My German passport has my last name Koll but my US passport has von Koll. The von is in front of my last name, it’s not a middle name. My airplane ticket has the name von Koll. Can I use my German passport anyway to travel to Germany and on my return flight back to the US use my US passport?
Generally so, as the German government understands the use of von as a name. However, I usually encourage people to check with that country’s consulate for assurance.
I have dual nationality (and therefore two passports). My name is not the same in the two passports. I booked the flight using my Argentinian name (which matches my Argentinian passport), since I’m departing from Argentina and according to the rules I need to exit my country using my Argentinian passport. However, I’m flying to the US and my visa for the US is in my second passport (with a different name). The airline is telling my now that I should have booked using the name that matches the visa for the US. If I come to the airport with both passports (so they can verify my identity and my visa), should it be ok?
Hi,
I have too first names and two surnames in my passport, but when I booked a ticket from Sweden to Ecuador via panama, I only wrote one first name and one surname, which are the names I go under. That is my second name and my first surname. The airline does not let me update my name or make a name change, and say they cannot guarantee anything. The ticket cost several thousand and is not refundable so I am getting nervous. Do you think ill have a problem boarding?
We wouldn’t be able to advise on this as it will be up to the airline. You may want to bring proof of your name and identity in the event that helps with the airline agent.
When applying for a passport/card, should the name match my driver’s license? Example, Kimberly instead of Kim with my middle initial. Also, when I sign the passport, can I sign it as Kim or does it have to be Kimberly?
Hi Kim, It’s better if everything matches.
Hi there. I booked a flight for my friend who’s name on her drivers license is Kimberly and I booked the flight as Kim. Will this be a problem to board the plane?
thanks!
Hi Vanna,
She should be fine. Have a great trip!
I just booked a ticket but realized I forgot to put Jr after my last name because I have the same name as my father, I haven’t applied for my passport yet, should I keep my name as it is on my booking ticket
Hi Donny, I would go ahead and apply for your passport as Donny Jr. if that’s the name on your birth certificate. You may want to call the airline and try to get the name on the ticket changed, but if you can’t you will probably be okay since the first and last name match.
My passport has my middle name in it, but I just booked an airline ticket without my middle name, will this be a problem?
Hi Wendy,
You should be fine as long as everything else matches.
When I booked my flight, I did not have a passport, so I used the name on my license. First name, maiden initial and last name. When my passport arrived it had first, given middle, last. Shanna C Binnion/Shanna Gaymel Binnion. Will there be a problem?
Hi Shanna,
You should be fine, but maybe get to the airport a little early just to be on the safe side.
I am leaving for Iceland today. When I made my reservation I did not include middle name. My passport has my middle name and license has just my middle initial….is this going to be a problem
You should be fine, Tina. Maybe get to the airport extra early, but they should let you travel: http://blog.tsa.gov/2009/05/whats-in-name.html Enjoy Iceland!
We are booking a last minute international flight. I just realized my passport is incorrect. When I got married, I changed my name from First Middle Maiden to First Maiden Last but my passport listed my name as First Middle Last. So correct middle name – but since marriage I don’t go by that name.
Obviously I want to fix this, but I do not think I have time before our trip. If I book the ticket as First Middle Last (to match the passport), will this be a problem?
As long as the name on your passport matches your ticket you should be fine. 🙂
I am currently in the military and due to travel to Bahrain in about 3 weeks. I just got married on this month and do not have enough time to change my name on my official passport. Can I keep my maiden name in the military and use my married name in the civilan world.
That sounds like it might be a question for your commanding officer, Charlotte. Congratulations on your marriage!
I am travelling to Punta Cana in a few weeks and just looked on my passport and realized that they did not include my hyphenated last name just the last part of the last name but not the first part. However, my license and flights all state the full last name. Do you think this will hold me up from travelling? Even though my birth certificate states the full last name?
Hi Beni,
Per the TSA website: “The name you provide is used to perform watch list matching before a boarding pass is issued, so small differences should not impact your travel.”
You should be fine, but may experience extra scrutiny/screening at the airport. Allow extra time, just in case, and next time book using the name on your passport for international flights.
Hope this helps!
Does it matter if some of your documents (i.e. license, passport, travel ticket) display your middle name and other do not?
It shouldn’t, per the TSA blog: http://blog.tsa.gov/2009/05/whats-in-name.html
What if your passport has your full middle name, but your airline ticket just has your middle initial? I’m going to France with a group and don’t want to be the one holding everybody up in line. Do you think there might be problems?
Hi Abe,
This tidbit from the TSA should reassure you:
“If the name printed on my boarding pass is different than what appears on my government ID, will I be turned away at security and unable to fly?
Boarding passes may not always display the exact name you provided when booking your travel. The name you provide is used to perform watch list matching before a boarding pass is issued, so small differences should not impact your travel.”
My wife and I are traveling to Mexico. Our travel agency goofed and they mis-spelled her first name. Her passport and license are Teresa Casper but the flight information for Airtran has Tesesa. They goofed up the “r” for an “s”. Will this be an issue? Supposedly they are trying to fix this but we have not heard anything and my wife is concerned she will not be allowed to travel.
Hi Tom,
Here’s how the TSA’s blog answered someone with a similar problem:
“If you entered your name incorrectly when making the reservation, you should follow the airline’s guidance regarding correcting the mistake.”
Hope this helps!
So, it shouldn’t be a problem that my ticket has a Green Card name on it, not the passport(maiden)?
Hi Irina,
As I stated earlier, please contact your cruise line to be sure. They can set their own requirements, so it’s possible that they may want you to bring your marriage certificate as well, or they may require that the passport matches.
Thanks a bunch!
Alison
Hello, I have a question. I am going to a cruise to Mexico and there is something I want to know. My maiden name had been changed after the marriage. Also, I’ve got a green card after the marriage with the married last name. However, I’m still a citizen of Uzbekistan, and my passport shows different last name (maiden). I’m concerned about the matching of the passport and ticket name.
Hi Irina,
Contact the cruise line to be sure, but you should be fine as long as your green card has the correct information on it.
Have a great trip!
What if your middle name on your passport has a hypen and your drivers license middle name does not have a hyphen? Is that acceptable.
For example. For a recently married woman who wanted to keep her original middle name and combined it with her original last name.
Original name: Jane Beverly Smith got married to a Mr. Johnson.
Changed on passport to: Jane Beverly-Smith Johnson
Changed on drivers license to: Jane Beverly Smith Johnson.
Would that hypen missing on one id create problems?
Hi Jason,
It shouldn’t be an issue- just make sure that the name you book the ticket under matches the ID you plan to travel on.
Does the ADDRESS on your licence/passport need to match your plane ticket (even if your name is exactly the same?
Hi Mike,
At this time, no-just the name has to match.