Honeymooning in your Married Name

If you are dreaming of jetting off to sandy shores with your sparkling new ring, spouse and matching passport this guide will tell you how to make your dreams come true.

But please consider whether having matching passports straight away is really that important to you because, trust us when we say, it’s not an easy thing to do!

What makes this particular name change more difficult? This is quite possibly one of the more ambitious feats to pull off when it comes to wedding planning, not least of all due to a backdrop of the following obstacles:

• recent changes to how name change processes work
• effects of the Pandemic backlog
• strike action
• not being handed your marriage certificate on your wedding day
• your NHS records needs to match the name on your passport (if Covid Vaccinations are needed at border control)

You need 3 key things to align (and nerves of steel) if this is going to work:

TIME

The most crucial element you need on your side is time.

It is possible 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 number of key caveats and risks to consider.

We would only recommend this if your circumstances match all of 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

Weigh up how important this is and whether it’s worth navigating through additional stress and uncertainty.

As of May 2021, couples are no longer handed their Marriage Certificate on the day of the wedding. Instead, Marriage Certificates will only be 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 come unstuck if you need to show vaccination records such as a covid pass. Without your marriage certificate, you won’t be able to change your NHS record, which will need to match the name on your new passport should evidence of covid vaccination be needed at border control in either your destination country/s or the UK.

Short on time? The safest option is of course to opt to travel in your maiden name and switch names on your passport when you return.
If you’re adamant that you want to change 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.

Be aware that:

• The passport office put on extra staff during the peak season (June –August)
• They 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
• The passport office may be affected by strike action

Adamant that you want to jet off straight after you marry, in your new name? Given the complexities associated with the delivery of your marriage certificate the other option is to change your name via deed poll. Sequence is key, you’ll need to obtain your 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

Honeymooners often travel to far and fabulous destinations - after all this is the trip of a lifetime to celebrate your nuptials! The critical 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:

• As a general rule, 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 - Turnaround time is key here.

  USA: 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 neat resource about entry and visa requirements for British citizens to over 100 countries.

PRACTICALITY

The last key 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 for a new one £82.50 to apply for a 10-year passport (more if you use Check and Send or Fast Track services).
2. YOU CAN’T TRAVEL 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.

BEWARE OF:

1. 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.
2. You can’t apply for a post-dated passport if your name change isn’t a traditional surname/double-barrel surname change: for example, if you are planning to create a brand new team name or make a maiden name a middle name (which would require a deed poll and not a PD2).

HOW TO GUIDE: THE BORING (but helpful) BITS

Assuming the trilogy of Time, Location and Practicality are favourably aligned, read on to understand 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 £82.50 to renew or replace your passport online, or £93.00 via the paper form. There is an additional fee payable of £9.50 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 comprehensive guide.

The Passport Office recommend visiting their dedicated travel advice pages. These are updated hourly and are free to use.

Once you have changed your name on your passport who else do you need to notify? Most name changers contact 24 different government bodies, local authorities, and companies. This take 14 hours on average.