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

Comments for Can I travel overseas if my drivers license name and passport name don't match?

Click here to add your own comments

DL Address and Passport Address
by: Anonymous

Question: I moved to VA and am in the process of switching over my DL from MD to VA. I am planning on traveling in a few months and my passports address is in MD. Will there be an issue if my DL is in VA but my passport is MD? Or do I need to also update my passport?

Answer: There is no need to apply for a new passport because of the address change. If your old address is written on your passport using pencil, you can simply erase it and write your new address. If it's in ink, you may leave it as is. It's not going to be an issue.
State does not match on drivers license and passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I just moved to a different state. My drivers license state location is now different than my passport. I am travelling internationally in July. Will this be a problem with immigration?

Answer: It's not an issue. Have a safe trip!
renew my driver's license during passport application?
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi there,

I just got naturalized as a US Citizen and submitted my application for my first US passport. The anticipated application duration is around 2 months.

Now I also want to notify the DMV my status of Citizen, I think they will issue me a new drives license.

My question is, Can I renew my driver's license during my passport application?

Answer: Yes, you can.
Applying for passport, DL address is not my permanent address
by: Anonymous

Question: I am applying for a passport, does my driver's license address need to match my permanent address?

Answer: The street address does not have to match but your license has to be issued in the same state where you are applying.
DL and passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I booked an international trip in my current name but will be getting married in a month. So long as my passport and boarding pass are booked in the same name (my soon to be maiden name), am I ok to start the name change for other documents and such like DL, social security card, credit cards, etc?

We don't leave the country for another 6 months so would like to start name change on everything but my passport since the trip is booked in my current name. I just don't want to end up in a pickle if somehow changing my social and such affects travel.

Answer: There should not be any issues as long as your tickets and passport match. You may get started on changing the name on your other identification documents as soon as your marriage certificate is available.

Please note that you will also need the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate on your passport whenever you decide to do so.

Congratulations and best wishes!
Legal name change
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. I changed my name legally but never changed it on my SSC or my DL for multiple reasons. Now I need a passport. Will I be able to get my passport to reflect my name on my driver's license or will my legal name change show in the system? Do I need to change my DL to reflect my legal name change before I get my passport?

Answer: You may get your passport in the name that appears on your driver's license. Just indicate your other legal name in the section where is asks for names you have used in the form.
DL address not updated
by: Anonymous

Question: I moved several years ago and never updated the address on my DL. I am needing to apply for a passport. Do I need to get a new license with my current address on it since my passport application will be submitted with my current address?

Answer: It's not necessary. But if you moved to a different state, you need to present an additional ID.
Passport + DL address difference
by: Anonymous

Question: I am originally from IL and now live in MA. I recently updated my DL to MA. Now, I am applying by mail to renew my expired passport which has my IL address. I want to keep my IL address on my passport. Will this be an issue? Will I need additional documentation if I want the passport to be mailed to MA? It is not clear on the application if the difference in address requires additional documentation.

Answer: You may enter your MA address as your mailing address and your IL address as your permanent.
DL Address and Current Address is Different
by: Anonymous

Question: My current driver's license is from my previous residence (I did not change my license yet) But I did move. I am going to the DC Passport Agency for a rushed passport. Do I still need to provide my SS Card as well since the address isn't the same?

Answer: If your license was issued by another state, then yes, you need to present an additional ID.
Can a lawyer receive a passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: In our current court order it states the passports need to be mailed to my daughters' mom's attorney and I can pick them up from there. Is that possible???

Answer: If the courts deemed it necessary, it is possible and legal.
Passport and DL addresses are from different states
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I currently have a DL from California. I am moving to live with my parents for a while in Texas. May I apply for my first US passport in Texas? I don’t want to travel back to California just for applying for a passport. Do I have any option for this case?

Thank you.

Answer: Yes, you may apply for a passport in Texas. But since you will be presenting an out-of-state driver's license, you need to show another ID like your SS card.
ADDRESS
by: Anonymous

Question: Does my driver's license address have to be the same as my passport address? Currently in the process of moving and unsure of what my address will be but want to apply for my passport now to get it in time.

Answer: The addresses do not need to match. If you are applying in another state, you just need to present an additional ID with your application.
Passport and NEXUS card last name does not match Driver’s License
by: Anonymous

Question: I got married after I received my new passport. Since then I haven’t reapplied for a new passport. However, I updated my DL. Now, going through a divorce, I need to pass through Canada and my IDs do not match and I do not want to do a name change just to drive briefly through Canada. Is there a way to handle this while under a time constraint?

Answer: The name difference may not be an issue as long as other details match up. You may also bring your marriage certificate to provide a connection between your passport/NEXUS name and your DL name.

Please contact the Canada Border Service Agency for more information.
DL and green card not same address
by: predrag

Question: I moved to Arizona from Chicago, IL. My green card has a Chicago address, but my DL has Phoenix AZ. Does make any difference to travel to Europe.

Answer: Since you will not be using a green card nor license to travel to Europe, there should not be any issues. What you need to make sure of is whether or not your passport meets the requirements of the country you are traveling to.

The address difference will also not cause issues getting back into the United States as long as both IDs are valid.
Different state on DL vs passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My new driver's license is now registered in New York but my passport is registered in Connecticut, will I have an issue with international travel?

Answer: It's not an issue. Addresses change during the 10 years that a passport is valid so it's definitely common.
Applying for passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I successfully apply for a passport if the address on my Drivers License is different than the address listed on the passport application?

Answer: Yes. The difference in address should not be an issue. However, if your license was issued by a different state where you are applying, you will need to present an additional ID like your SS card.
Middle names don’t match
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport came and my first and last name are correct. However, it has my middle name instead of my maiden name on it like my DL. Will there be an issue?

Answer: There will be no issue as long as you book tickets to match your passport when you travel.
Address change
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I recently moved and updated my address with the DMV but new Drivers License card was not provided. I'm traveling outside of the country and provided my current address which does not match the address that is on my DL and my Passport (DL and Passport match). Will I have a problem at the airport?

Answer: No, you will not have any issues. Addresses may change within the 10 years that a passport is valid so it is okay.
Different Address on License and Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Does the address on my license have to match the address on my passport? I have moved since I got my passport so their addresses are different on each.

Answer: Addresses change in the 10 years that a passport is valid. It is okay that the address on your license and passport do not match.
Social doesn't match driver license
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently got married and changed my social name but didn't change my license name yet. Does it affect my license status if I want to fly?

Answer: It should not affect your ability to travel by air domestically.
State/Address don’t match on passport app
by: Anonymous

Question: I applied for my passport recently in Colorado and used my new address from Colorado but my license is still from California. I used my BC and social as proof of who I am but I’m still worried that they won’t process it because the addresses are different on my ID. Help, please.

Answer: The address is a non-issue. If you presented sufficient identification documents, the application should be processed.
Middle name different
by: Anonymous

Question: My driver's license has my Middle initial while my passport has my middle name. Will it be an issue?

Answer: It will not be an issue. You will most likely be using only your passport while you travel.
Name Change
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm going on a cruise. My passport & DL's last name do not match due to getting married. will this be an issue?

Answer: It should not be an issue but I would bring my marriage certificate just in case you need to present both and questions arise.
Passport and license last names do not match
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently got married and am flying to Aruba. My DL and airline ticket have my married name but my passport has my maiden name. Will I be able to travel?

Answer: The name on your ticket needs to match your passport. You need to contact the airline to re-book.
DL missing middle name
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi! I am traveling in 3 days and remembered that my DL has only my first and last name. I had asked the DMV to omit the middle name because at the time I was considering changing it to my maiden name, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. My passport has my full name including middle. I am traveling to Barbados. Will I run into any problems because of this omission ?

Answer: You will not as long as your tickets match your passport.
Hyphenated Name
by: Anonymous

Question: My driver's license has a hyphen in between my two last names; however, my passport does not. I contacted my local post office and they were unsure if this would be an issue. Will it? Do I need to somehow get my passport fixed?

Answer: It should not be an issue. To be safe, please make sure to book tickets in the name that appears in your passport (no hyphen).
Driver's license name misspelled and passport is not.
by: Anonymous

Question: The name on my drivers license is misspelled and doesn't fully match by the order of one letter. Will I run into issues on my international travel?

Answer: You will not.
Citizen diploma
by: Anonymous

Question: I am going to travel. Last minutes I found out that my citizenship certificate has a different last name from my driver's license. Will there be a problem?

Answer: Yes, there is a potential problem. Passport services will require you to present proof of legal name change or other documents to prove your identity.
Middle name
by: Anonymous

Question: I just renewed my DL which now has my middle name but my passport only has my first and last name. Will that be a problem traveling overseas?

Answer: It should not be a problem.
Passport Address and DL Address do not match
by: Anonymous

Question: My Passport address and DL address do not match. What address should I use when buying flights and entering personal information?

Answer: Please use the your current address. It should not matter whether it is on your passport or license.
Hyphenated name vs unhyphenated name
by: Ligaya

Question: I have my last name on my passport as hyphenated. However, on my CA Driver's license my last name is not hyphenated due to their system not being able to insert a hyphen. Will I still be able to travel overseas?

Answer: There should not be an issue.
Passport name doesn't match ticket and drivers license name
by: Anonymous

Question: My given name is Ricky is the name on my passport. However, the name on my driver's license and airline tickets is Rick. With there be a problem flying to France?

Answer: Yes. The name on your passport and tickets need to match.
My passport and DL matching
by: Maelaene Duckett

Question: I finally received my passport and I'm going to Jamaica. Does my DL have to match my passport?

I'm divorced and I wanted everything in my maiden name. I have my divorce decree and birth certificate. Do I need to change my DL? Or will I be okay?

Answer: You should be okay. Your passport and driver's license do not have to match. The names on your passport and ticket have to.
Please help
by: Anonymous

Question: I just renewed my passport, but on the application, I was asked for my middle name, which I gave. But on my driver's license I only use my middle initial. Will I have a problem?

Answer: It won't be a problem.
Drivers license/Passport
by: Lesley

Question: I'm traveling to France and Italy in October 2016. My passport name and flight ticket name are the same. My recently renewed drivers license has my name with full maiden name. My passport only has the initial. Will I have a problem traveling?

Answer: It should not be a problem. Please contact the airlines for confirmation.
passport had different address
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I hope someone can help me. The addresses on my passport and driver's license do not match. I just recently moved from a different state and my passport has the old address. I got my new licensed. But my problem is next month I travel internationally. Do I need to change my passport? I don't have time and money at the moment to process everything.

Answer: You do no need to update your passport due to a change of address. Your passport is valid until the date of expiration as long as it is not significantly damaged.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Can I travel overseas if my drivers license name and passport name don't match?.

Return to Passport Name FAQ.

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service: Expedite My U.S. Passport Now!

Compare Your Fast Passport Options

If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.

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.
Same Day Passport Service 15% Off.
-->