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

by Lorna
(Lake Lotawana, MO, USA)

Question: I am leaving for vacation to Cancun in 2 days and just realized that my driver's license and airline ticket have my maiden name and my passport has my name from my previous marriage. Will this cause a problem? Is there anything I can do to fix this in time for my trip if it is a problem?

Answer: The Transportation Security Administration website states, "Small differences between the passenger's ID the passenger's reservation information, and the boarding pass (such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, hyphens or apostrophes) should not cause a problem for the passenger."

The problem is that a different last name may not be considered a small difference.

I recommend that you contact the airline you will use and explain the situation to them. They are the ones that will examine your documents and determine whether you are allowed to board or not. Each airline has different procedures concerning the phasing in of the Secure Flight Program. If they inform you that the issue must be corrected, ask them to recommend solutions.

I hope that the airline will provide you with an adequate solution because it is too late to have the name changed in your passport before your departure date.