Disclaimer: This site may earn affiliate commissions from your purchases through our links, at no extra cost. Learn more.

Comments for Passport name does not match driver's license nor airline ticket name. Can I still travel?

Click here to add your own comments

Space in last name Mc C vs McC
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport has a space between the Mc C of my last name. My airline ticket has no space McC . Will this matter traveling internationally?

Answer: It should not be an issue but I recommend that you contact the airline you are flying with for confirmation.

Passport has old name; DL and ss# has new name
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently legally changed my whole name. I have the original court order document as proof. My driver’s license and ss# have my new name; my passport has my old name. Should I book my tickets to Mexico with the name on my passport and bring the proof of name change as well? Will that suffice? I would prefer to just renew my passport, but it will be cutting it close, timing-wise.

Answer: You may book your tickets in the name that appears on your passport. The passport name change can wait until you return from your trip.

Forgot the second part of my name.
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I just realized I made a mistake and did not book my flight using my hyphenated last name. My flight is booked under "Smith" but my passport says "Smith-Brown". Will I be able to fly?

Answer: It is best that you contact the airline you are flying with a definitive answer to your question.

Passport name different from birth certificate of child
by: Lee

Question: My passport last name has my previous married name that differs from what is on my child's birth certificate. I already divorced and have my maiden name again. How should I book my tickets? Will it be an issue if my passport last name don't match my daughter's.

Answer: Please book tickets in the names that appear in your passports. The difference in last names between you and your child should not be an issue as long as other details match. Please do not forget to bring her birth certificate.

Passport/boarding pass
by: Bert D

Question: My passport does not have my middle initial/name. However, my boarding pass has a middle name. Will there be issues with TSA or airlines? Thank you.

Answer: Per TSA regulation, the name on your tickets must match the name printed on your passport. A missing middle name may be an issue. I recommend that you contact the airline you are flying to find out if they can change your booking.

Middle name spelled wrong on passport
by: David

Question: My middle name, Arthur, is spelled Arther on my passport and spelled correctly on my license. Can I get through Customs to Canada and fly within Canada with my middle name spelled wrong on my passport?

Answer: Please contact Canada Border Service Agency regarding your concern.

hypen missing from last name
by: Anonymous

Question: My wife's plane ticket is missing the hyphen between her two last names. The passport has the hyphen between them. Would this be an issue? passport has xxxx-xxxx and the plane ticket has both last names together.

Answer: The missing hyphen should not be an issue. Please contact the airline to confirm.

First name derivatives
by: Anonymous

Question: My partner purchased an international ticket with the name "Jacly" but the name on my passport is "Jaclyn." The airline will not change the name on the ticket. Would I be able to get on the flight with the mismatch between the ticket and the passport?

Answer: The names are not derivatives so it could be an issue.

Name on driver's license is different from passport
by: Shireen

Question: My name on my driver's license is different from my passport, especially in vowels letters like instead of e in my first name and ee instead of i in my second name. But they're pronounced the same way.

Answer: As long as your tickets match your passport, it should not be an issue.

Misspelled name
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport came with the wrong name spelling. My name is Razouk and my passport shows Razonk (an n instead of u). I am traveling in a month. Should I have the misspelled name on the airline ticket, then I will fix it when I come back? Thank you.

Answer: It will be best if you book your tickets to match your passport and have the error corrected after you return.

Passport TSA and drivers license
by: Anonymous

Question: My current passport has my maiden name as my middle name. My license and TSA application have the letter A as my middle name (for Alice). How do I update my passport to match? I am not traveling internationally for at least a year.

Answer: You need to submit a new passport application in person. Complete the form to match the name on your other identification documents.

Suffix
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello.

My passport does not have my suffix Jr listed. However, my boarding ticket included it at the end of the last name (e.g. SMITHJR). Will the passport just showing the last name Smith be okay?

Answer: Please contact the airline you are flying with regarding your concern.

Ray -Raymond
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I recently booked airfare from CVG to PUJ and the paperwork says Ray. His passport says Raymond is this going to be an issue when we get to the airport to board. Thank you for answering.

Answer: Ray and Raymond are common derivatives so some leniency may be given. Please contact the airline you are flying with to confirm.

Middle name
by: Kristie

Question: Hello. My driver's license has my middle initial, but my passport has my full middle name. We're traveling to Mexico and I don't know if this will be an issue.

Answer: It should not be an issue.

Name on passport vs name on license and airline ticket
by: Anonymous

Question: My driver's license uses my maiden name as my middle name. I applied for my passport but haven't received it yet and I’m about to book my flight. I’m not sure how my name will appear on my passport so I’m not sure if I should just put my first and last name on my ticket or the way it is on my license first maiden last name.

Answer: We strongly recommend that you wait until your passport arrives before making any final travel arrangements. This is to make sure that your tickets will match your passport per TSA regulation.

Last name displayed on ticket has spaces in it that do not exist on driver's license
by: Anonymous

Question: My last name displayed on the ticket has 2 spaces in it that should not be there. Will this prevent me from getting through security?

Answer: It depends on the officer at the gate, some let it pass, and others raise questions.

Passport has maiden name: ticket has middle initial
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport has my maiden name as my middle name and my international ticket has my middle initial as the middle name. Both first and last names are correct. Can I fly?

Answer: Please contact the airline you are flying with to find out if they will allow boarding with the middle name vs middle initial difference.

Passport Renewal and name change
by: Anonymous

Question: If I am renewing my passport, can I do a name change and drop my middle name so my TSA and driver's license match my license and passport? Do I have to show up in person to make that change?

Answer: If you do not have a legal name change document to submit with the application, you need to submit a new application in person.

Misspelled name on passport
by: Anon

Question: I got a new passport where they switched the placement of 2 letters in my name. I called my airline and they encouraged me to just change the name on the boarding pass to match the spelling on the passport. I leave in 6 days and am feeling a little anxious about it. Will this be ok to pass through TSA? Or should I pre-fill out some sort of identity verification??

Answer: It should be okay. Just follow the airline's advice.

My first name have multiple names
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport shows my full name which contain a dash in between. But my boarding pass only contains one of them. I will be traveling domestically, will this be a problem?

Answer: It should not be an issue.

suffix on passport not on airline ticket
by: Mary

Question: My son's passport has his last name and then a space and 'II' on it, but the airline ticket does not have the "II". Will this be a problem for boarding our international flight?

Answer: It may or may not be an issue. You should contact the airline to find out if they will allow boarding with this issue.


by: Anonymous

Question: I booked an international trip but made a spelling mistake with my last name. I double-typed a letter. Will that be an issue while traveling.

Answer: Yes, it is possible since TSA requires that your tickets match the name on your passport.

Passport last name does not match boarding pass last name
by: Anonymous

Question: We booked international travel months ago, and we got married recently. We booked our tickets with hyphenated last names. My name changed to a combination of last names, but the social security office refused to hyphenate it on three different in-person trips. My new SS card, DL, and passport have no hyphen in the last name. Will having different last names on my legal documents Vs boarding pass cause issues during travel?

Answer: If your passport is missing just the hyphen between the last names, it should be an issue. If it's missing one last name entirely, that will be a problem with TSA.

Jr on Driver's License but not on Passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling out of the country and realized that I have the suffix "Jr." on my driver's license but I do not have the suffix on my passport. Will the missing suffix cause me any issues?

Answer: It will not be an issue as long as your tickets match the name on your passport.

Plane ticket has name with a letter missing at end
by: Anonymous

Question: Traveling internationally. My plane ticket has the last letter of my first name missing compared to the first name on my passport. The airline said it is noted and will be ok. Will this be an issue?

Answer: If the airline says it's okay, it should be so.

Passport does not match ticket international- middle name
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I am traveling to Morocco from NY in December on Royal Air Maroc and my children and husband have their middle names on their passports but not their airline tickets. The airline will not fix the tickets. Do I need to bring other proof to the airport or will I be fine without middle names on tickets?

Answer: As a general rule, tickets must match the passport name to the letter. Middle names/initials may not be an issue but we recommend contacting the airline to find out if you will be allowed to board with their tickets lacking the middle names.

Passport last name doesn't match drivers license
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling out of the country soon and am concerned because my passport's last name (my married name) will match only my temporary driver's license. I won't have enough time to get both fully changed and permanent. Is this okay?

Answer: It should be okay since you will not be asked to present your driver's license when you travel.

Passport Maiden Name vs Drivers License Married Name
by: Anonymous

Question: I renewed my passport before I was married, so it is under my maiden name. I am traveling for work and the ticket is booked under my current legal name.

My current middle name is my maiden last name. If I have both my DL and my Passport but the ticket is booked under my DL, am I going to be able to fly? Do I need to bring my marriage certificate with me?

Answer: TSA requires that your passport and tickets match. It is best that you rebook your tickets to avoid issues when you travel.

No middle initial on passport; initial on tickets
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport, birth cert., and driver's license have first and last name, no middle name or initial. My mileage card has always had a middle initial (used per family custom). Plane tickets for international travel have my middle initial, my passport doesn't. Is this a problem?

Answer: It should not be a huge problem but some questions may arise. Just present additional IDs in this case.

Middle Name on Ticket
by: Anonymous

Question: When I booked my vacation, I disregarded it was an international flight so I put my name on my vacation package as my first name, middle initial of my first middle name (I have 2 middle names), and my last name as it reads on my drivers license. When I got my flight confirmation, I remembered my passport has my first, both middle names and last name all fully spelled out. So now my ticket reads as first name, middle initial #1, final name...but my passport reads first name, first middle name, second middle name, last name.

My ss card, my birth cert and my passport match so i can take them all with me to show and my DL matches my ticket. Will TSA and customs be okay in each country I have a layover in with these documents to support the name on my ticket with just 1 middle initial?

Answer: As a general rule, tickets must match the passenger's name on his/her passport. Middle initial vs middle name spelled out may raise some questions but may not be an issue entirely. It depends on the gate officer inspecting your documents. You may contact the airline you are flying with regarding your concern.

Driver's license doesn't match my Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My driver's license has my maiden name instead of my middle name. My passport has my middle name. So can I board the airplane with only my passport, since the two don't match?

Answer: The mismatch will not matter. Only your passport and tickets must match.

Passport Renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: When renewing my passport, can I drop my hyphenated name to match my driver's license and social security, and if so what documents are required?

Answer: If you cannot present proof of legal name change, you need to submit a new application in order to drop your hyphenated name.

Please prepare the following and submit them in person at an acceptance facility:

1. Form DS-11
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship
3. Government-issued ID matching the name you entered in the application form
4. One new passport photo
5. Payment for fees

Most facilities require an appointment.

License and passport first name does not match
by: Anonymous

Question: We are traveling internationally and my husband's first name on his license does not match his passport and airline ticket. Will he have a problem because of this?

Answer: As long as the passport and tickets match, there should be no issues. He will most likely not be using his driver's license while you are overseas.

Name error message when both documents say the same name
by: Anonymous

Question: My driver's license and passport show the same first, middle, and last name but I get a message when trying to set up TSA pre-check that my names don’t match.

Answer: It may be a temporary glitch in the system. If the issue persists, please contact TSA for a possible solution.

Birth Certificate has my previous last name
by: Anonymous

Question: I had my name legally changed by court order but the change isn't reflected on Birth Certificate. If I have the court order, Certificate, and IDs with the correct name, is there any way to apply for a passport if they don't match?

Answer: As long as you provide any and all documents supporting the name you enter in your application form, it is highly likely that you will be issued a passport in that name. Just make sure that the court order has the old name and the new name so passport services can see the connection between both.


driver's license has middle name but passport only middle initial
by: Anonymous

Question: My REAL ID driver's license shows my full middle name.

My passport shows an initial instead of my full middle name.

I would book an international ticket using my name as it appears on my passport.

But will the fact that my middle name / initial is not the same on both passport and driver's license pose a problem at airport security?

Answer: As long as your tickets match your passport, it will not be an issue.

Middle name
by: Alicia R. Marroquin

Question: My passport name is stated: Alicia Rodriguez Marroquin.
My birth cert., driver license & SSN is: Alicia R. Marroquin
My renewal is 2023. Is the slight discrepancy acceptable for travel?
Alicia

Answer: It is acceptable. To avoid possible issues, book tickets in the name that appears in your passport.

TSA Precheck-Drivers License / Passport Do Not Match
by: Anonymous

Question: I currently have a passport that shows my first name and middle name as it appears on my birth certificate with my married name as the last name. My drivers license shows my first name as it appears on my birth certificate and my middle name shown as my maiden name and married last name. Problem: drivers license and passport don’t match because of middle name.

I wanted to get a TSA pre-check security pass, but couldn’t because the middle names don’t match. Every legal document I have: bank, insurance, medical, time share, credit cards, drivers license, checks etc have my middle name designation (maiden name). If I change my drivers license to match passport, everything else I own will not match. What can I do for TSA Pre-check?

Answer: You can change the name on your passport through a renewal. Please contact TSA for assistance regarding pre-check.

Passport name is different from Drivers License and SS Card
by: Anonymous

Question: I’ll be traveling to China later this year and have a valid visa in my current passport, which has my maiden name. My social security card and drivers license has my married name. Will it be an issue to book my ticket with my maiden name & travel with my passport? Will I be able to go through customs when I return even with my passport and drivers license don’t match?

Answer: It should not be a problem. Only in rare situations will you be required to present your driver's license or SS card while you travel overseas. Your U.S. passport serves both as a travel document, evidence of citizenship and identification document.

Passport and boarding pass have different names
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport has my full name on it while my boarding pass is missing my middle name. Will I still be able to travel out of the country?

Answer: It should not be a problem. Please contact the airlines for confirmation.

Passport name does not match my drivers license name
by: Anonymous

Question: Passport name does not match my drivers license name and I plan on traveling internationally.

My passport has my maiden name on it and my drivers license has my married name on it.

If I use my maiden name on my flight tickets will I have any issues?

Answer: The name on your ticket should match the name in your passport. The name in your passport does not need to match the name on your driver's license. Your passport is sufficient for both evidence of citizenship and identity.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Passport name does not match driver's license nor airline ticket name. Can I still travel?.

Return to Passport Name FAQ.

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service.

 

More Passport & Travel Information

Getting a Passport Expedited at a Post Office
Requesting express service at post offices and other facilities that accept application forms from U.S. citizens.

Applying at a Regional Passport Agency
Where processing centers are located. How to schedule an appointment. What documents to take with you.

Using a Registered Courier Service
How to pick a legitimate courier service company to assist in getting your passport quickly.

Routine vs. Expedited Passport Service: How to Choose
Guide to help you decide if standard or fast track processing is the best option for your situation.

How to Renew a U.S. Passport Fast
Learn to expedite passport renewals as quickly as the same day. Where and how to renew passport in a hurry.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry?
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service:Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!
About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

Get the Latest Updates

Fill out the form, tick all boxes, click subscribe for updates on passports and travel news.
-->