Honeymooning in your Married Name: Change Your Name - Honeymoon Edition

If you are dreaming of jetting off to sandy shores with a sparkling new ring and spouse and part of your wedding planning includes traveling with matching passports, this honeymoon travel name change guide will tell you just how to make those dreams come true.

But be warned, it’s not the easiest thing to do, so it’s important to consider whether having matching passports to travel in married your name straight away is really that important to you.

Can I Honeymoon Using My Married Name?

You absolutely can travel using your married name but this particular type of name change after marriage may prove to be a bit more difficult and here’s why:

If legally changing your name before your honeymoon is going to work, you need 3 key things to align (and nerves of steel): Time, Location and Practicality. Let’s get right into it!

Time: Name Change & Wedding to Honeymoon Timeline

Time is the most crucial element to have on your side. First, you’ll need to apply for what is known as a ‘Post Dated Passport’ to be issued ahead of the big day, using a PD2 form (which is signed by your wedding registrar or church) so that you can travel on honeymoon in your new married name, but there are a few caveats to consider.
We would only recommend this if your circumstances match all the following scenarios: • You are embarking on a traditional surname change • You have plenty of time (ideally 2+ months before the wedding) • You don’t need to travel during that period

As of May 2021, couples are no longer handed their Marriage Certificate on the day of the wedding. Now, marriage certificates are sent out once your marriage has been registered on an electronic register. For registry office weddings your certificates can be posted about a week after your wedding, but for other venues it can take up to 3 weeks before they can be ordered online.

This won’t affect the validity of your new passport, but you may run into issues if you need to show vaccination records (dependent on place of travel). Without your marriage certificate as documentary evidence, you won’t be able to change your NHS record, which will need to match the name on your new passport should evidence of vaccination be needed at border control in either your destination country or the UK.

If you are short on time, the safest option is to travel in your maiden name and change your name on your passport upon your return.

If you’re certain that you want to change your surname immediately then you can consider paying a little extra for the 1-week Fast Track service. However, this is high-risk as your travel documents must match your passport name at all points of your journey, not just immigration on both sides, but also at your accommodation.

***If this is the route you wish to take, please note: The passport office can guarantee a straightforward application will result in a passport being issued within 7 days during this period. However, you need to allow up to a week for your appointment, which will require travel and time off work to get to your closest passport office. You can find nearest passport office here.

If you’re confident that you want to change your name and travel in your married name vs maiden name, and the complexities associated with the delivery of your original marriage certificate do not suit you, another option is to change your name by deed poll. Sequence is key: you’ll need a deed poll and new passport before you marry and crucially after you have given notice, so that your birth name will still be included on your marriage certificate.

Location: Visas & Post-Wedding Travel Planning in a New Name

Honeymooners often travel to far and fabulous destinations, after all this is the trip of a lifetime to celebrate your nuptials! The critical and important legal question to ask (after you peel yourself from Pinterest) is this: Do I need a visa?

Combining a visa with a post-dated passport isn’t necessarily impossible, but you should research this thoroughly and approach with considered caution.

This is where travel agencies become incredibly helpful, not only for advice, but if you are planning a multi-destination holiday, they will help guide you through what is and isn’t possible. We spoke to travel expert Steve Finch of Travel Counsellors who offers the following advice:

“As well as your final destination(s) beware of transiting or layover rules that apply with regards to visas. A well-seasoned travel agent will be au fait with the nuances of each country and able to support you through all elements of your travel.

For the USA, use extreme care when applying for the mandatory ESTA online, otherwise you may end up needing to approach the US embassy to obtain your visa. If you tick the box saying you have a criminal record for example your ESTA application will be denied. Be wary, for example, if you have a speeding ticket this is not classed as a criminal record.”

Here are some guiding principles to help you with your research:

• Generally, countries where you pay for a visa upon arrival for example, Bali, Indonesia shouldn’t pose a problem as long as your flight booking and passport names match. However, you may need to pay the cash fee locally on arrival in US Dollars, or the local currency.
• The process for countries requiring a visa application in advance can be more difficult and turnaround time is key here.

Take the USA for example: The United States remains a popular holiday multi-stop destination for newlyweds. To get in, you’ll need the following:

• an ESTA which can only be applied for once you have your new passport
• corresponding passport number
• the date your passport has become valid (IE the day of your marriage)

Thankfully ESTA’s are very straightforward to obtain and can be applied for online in about 10 minutes.

Tropical Locations: Take a more tropical location whose consulate relies on paper-based bureaucratic processes. Many, but not all, will include a visa application upon entry to the country. We strongly recommend you carefully research visa entry requirements and processes before embarking on a name change on your passport before marriage.

• Click here for this great resource about entry and visa requirements for British citizens to over 100 countries.

Practicality: Is a Legal Name Change before Honeymoon Practical?

The last key consideration is practicality. You can use the checklist below to help decide what’s practical in your situation.

Key Considerations:

1. Cost: Even if you have years left on your current passport you will still be charged the full fee to apply for a 10-year passport (more if you use Check and Send or Fast Track services).
2. Travel Suspension: You’ll need to surrender your passport at the time of submitting your application. If you’re planning to travel for a hen-do weekend or you travel with work you’ll need to rethink things. Your new passport, even if it arrives weeks ahead of the big day can’t be used until after the ceremony.
3. Cold feet: If the marriage doesn’t go ahead for any reason you will need to return the new passport to HM Passport office and re-apply for a new passport in your original name.
4. Getting Married Abroad: If you are planning on getting married abroad you will be unable to apply for a post-dated passport as you will need to begin and end your trip abroad with a passport in your original name.
5. Non-Traditional Name Change: You can’t apply for a post-dated passport if your name change isn’t a traditional surname or double-barrel (hyphen or no hyphen) surname change. For example, if you are planning to create a brand new name or take a maiden surname as a middle name (which would require a deed poll and not a PD2).

How To Change Your Name After Marriage: Post Dated Passport

Assuming the trilogy of Time, Location and Practicality are favourably aligned, here’s how to acquire a Post-Dated passport.

You can apply to change your name on your passport up to 3 months before the ceremony. Your old passport will then be cancelled. The new passport is ‘post-dated’ which means it is valid from the date of your ceremony and you can’t use it before the ceremony. Some countries won’t issue visas for post-dated passports so do check with the country’s consulate.

To renew your passport, you can either: apply online or apply using a standard passport application form, which you can pick from any Post Office branch.

You will need to send a ‘Post-Date Form 2’ (PD2) along with your application. The minister or registrar who will conduct the ceremony must sign this, as must you with your current name and signature.

You can download a copy of the PD2 form here. For further guidance, please call the passport advice line on 0330 222 0000.

It costs £94.50 to renew or replace your passport online, or £107.00 via the paper form. There is an additional fee payable of £16 if you use the Post Office’s Passport Check and Send service, available at larger post office branches.

For further guidance on how to complete a Passport Renewal Application to accompany your PD2, please check out our helpful guide.

Once you’ve updated your passport with your change of name, it’s time to let everyone else know. Did you know that most name changers need to notify 24 different government bodies, local authorities, and companies, which can take an average of 14 hours! It’s no wonder that the name change process is seen as complicated and daunting. This is exactly why NameSwitch was created - to help make this confusing and time-consuming process hassle-free and stress-free. With just 3 simple steps, NameSwitch will have you on your way to using your official new name in no time!

FAQ’s

Can I book flights in my married name right after my wedding?

The most important thing to remember about traveling in a new name, is that the name on your travel documents MUST match the name on your passport. If you have time to legally change the name on your passport before you travel, and the documents align, then yes.

Do I need to change my name before my honeymoon?

You do not. You can travel in your maiden name, no problem. The most important thing to remember is that the name on your passport needs to match the name on your travel documents and records. There is no timeline or requirement to changing your name. It’s completely up to you.

What name should be on my passport after I get married?

The name on your passport should be your recognised legal name and should match the name on your travel documents. There is no requirement to change your name after getting married or timeline to adhere to - taking your partner’s name or opting for a new surname is completely up to you.