How can I use my BC with my maiden name?

[Mamabear17]

I was planning on using my birth certificate, but was thinking that, since it has my maiden name on it, how can I use it for identification? My ticket will have a different name, as will my DL. Help!

[Gonzo70]

It is prudent to bring your Marriage License as a bridging document.

[SadieN]

I had no problem.

 

My maiden name is 'Jane Smith'.

I booked as 'Jane Doe'.

The name on my DL is 'Jane Smith Doe'.

[SuiteLady]

Yep....as stated above, take ur marriage certificate....Fair warning though...Make sure u take the ORIGINAL with the raised court seal on it. Some people take the more decorative one they give u right after the ceremony....THIS WILL NOT SUFFICE!!!

[SuiteLady]

Yep....as stated above, take ur marriage certificate....Fair warning though...Make sure u take the ORIGINAL with the raised court seal on it. Some people take the more decorative one they give u right after the ceremony....THIS WILL NOT SUFFICE!!!

[cb at sea]

I've never needed my marriage certificate....everyone knows that a married woman's name won't match her BC....the birthdate should be enough proof.

[njhorseman]

I've never needed my marriage certificate....everyone knows that a married woman's name won't match her BC....the birthdate should be enough proof.

 

I've asked you this question several times, but you've never answered. How many years ago was it when you last did this? The documentation requirements were made more stringent on June 1, 2009, and at least one cruise line, Royal Caribbean, has had a specific requirement for the bridge document...the marriage license, and would not let passengers sail without it.

 

OP...this poster's advice is bad because following it could leave you standing on the pier watching your ship sail without you.

As others have advised, take your marriage cerificate. Don't take the chance of not having the bridge document.

[Mamabear17]

OK, but I'm no longer married. :) Sounds like just the same 1st name and birthdate should be fine (?). Any suggestions of who I would ask, just to be sure?

[kitty9]

OK, but I'm no longer married. :) Sounds like just the same 1st name and birthdate should be fine (?). Any suggestions of who I would ask, just to be sure?

 

Why not get a passport? If you want a definitive answer, call the cruise line.

[I_heart_vaca]

OK, but I'm no longer married. :) Sounds like just the same 1st name and birthdate should be fine (?). Any suggestions of who I would ask, just to be sure?

 

The best answer will come from your cruise line.

 

I have worked for the various gov't agencies where checking and issuing IDs is required, and we have always required a bridge document. If your divorce did not include a return to your madien name, then you should be prepared to prove why your DL listed name and BC listed name do not match. If your divorce didn't include the name change then the MC will still suffice to prove the name change.

[Gonzo70]

I've never needed my marriage certificate....everyone knows that a married woman's name won't match her BC....the birthdate should be enough proof.

 

Please stop providing people with erroneous information that could cause them to be denied boarding! You have been told this many times now and you continue to make the same outdated statement over and over every time this issue is raised. There have been several reports of women being asked to produce a bridging document when their birth certificate and driver's license carried different names. Without a bridging document such as a marriage license one stands a very real chance of being denied boarding.

 

By the way, this quote is from Royal Caribbean International's (RCI) FAQ on this issue:

"Different Surnames (Last Names):

If a woman has several surnames on different documents such as birth certificate and drivers license, then she must bridge the difference with other documents, such as, marriage license and/or divorce papers. The additional bridging documents must be the original or a certified or notarized copy."

[Happy ks]

Please stop providing people with erroneous information that could cause them to be denied boarding! You have been told this many times now and you continue to make the same outdated statement over and over every time this issue is raised. There have been several reports of women being asked to produce a bridging document when their birth certificate and driver's license carried different names.

 

."

 

CB never seems to return after she has posted to a thread. Once in a while she does have good info, sometimes not.

 

But I think you're right, this time it is bad advice.

[paracer]

Okey dokey.

My fiancee and I are going through this right now. We have come up with a solution. Her BC does not match any other identification. Due to circumstances around her previous marriage, no proof of a marriage exists (there isn't even proof at the courthouse).

 

Our solution... Our state's DMV allows a woman to revert to her birth certificate name without proof. In PA, it is form DL-80. Now, my wonderful Finacee has a Driver's license that matches her birth certificate. It took a little more than two weeks to recieve a Driver's License Update Card. We plan on going to the DMV soon to renew her license so that the correct name will be on the photo ID rather than the update card.

 

In short, go to your DMV. Either update your Driver's License, or purchase a State Photo ID card. Just make sure that you get the name that you want on it.

[cherylandtk]

It is prudent to bring your Marriage License as a bridging document.

 

I've never needed my marriage certificate....everyone knows that a married woman's name won't match her BC....the birthdate should be enough proof.

 

I've asked you this question several times, but you've never answered. How many years ago was it when you last did this? The documentation requirements were made more stringent on June 1, 2009, and at least one cruise line, Royal Caribbean, has had a specific requirement for the bridge document...the marriage license, and would not let passengers sail without it.

 

OP...this poster's advice is bad because following it could leave you standing on the pier watching your ship sail without you.

As others have advised, take your marriage cerificate. Don't take the chance of not having the bridge document.

To be fair, only RCI has a bridge document requirement in their travel documents section, and it is their rule, not the government's. There was no change to the government 'stringency' for BC and ID on June 1, 2009. That was simply the final implementation date of the WHTI, but the practice of using BC and ID has been around for decades, and there was no change to the definition of ID or BC, nor was a requirement for bridge documents included in the regulation.

 

And while I would also suggest bringing the proof of name change JIC on any cruiseline, it is rarely asked for, if at all (yes, currently NJHorseman ;)) on Princess and Carnival.

 

So let's be clear, this is only a requirement of one specific cruiseline....IMO it is so they drive more pax to getting a passport, which is faster for them to process...and while it is a wise idea and good suggestion on any cruiseline it is not a government requirement.

[cherylandtk]

I was planning on using my birth certificate, but was thinking that, since it has my maiden name on it, how can I use it for identification? My ticket will have a different name, as will my DL. Help!

Is your current name your married name? Is your ticket in the same name as your current ID? That is necessary.

 

Which cruiseline are you on? You were looking at NCL and Carnival, and neither of them require the bridge document for maiden to married names.

 

BUT, you mentioned in another thread that you will take your 8 YO son; you really need to take notarized permission from his father, it is required but not always asked for. Unless you have sole LEGAL (not physical) custody in which case you take the custody papers, too. One last thing, check your son's BC; many of them require that your maiden name be listed as the mother....which means that you already have a bridge document to your married name.

[Gonzo70]

FYI from Carnival's website: "Guest names on travel documents (passport, Alien Resident Card, birth certificate, etc.) must be identical to those on the cruise and airline tickets. Otherwise, proof of name change (e.g., a marriage license) or a valid driver's license (or other government-issued photo ID) must be presented."

[paracer]

This is what I recieved from carnival as a reply to my inquiry:

 

Hello Michael,

 

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

 

Usually the marriage certificate is the legal document that proves the legal name change. Even if no original remains the courts do keep copies on file. A certified copy will be acceptable to prove the legal name change.

 

Michael, if that is not an option may I then suggest you contact U.S. Immigration at 800 375 5283. Their web site is USCIS.gov. This is completely their call. She must show legal documentation for her name change or she will not be allowed to leave the country.

 

 

Please let us know if we may be of further assistance. Thank you for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines.

 

Regards,

 

Mauricio Leiseca | Guest Solutions Specialist | Carnival Cruise Lines

3655 NW 87 Ave | Miami, FL 33178 | (800) 438 6744

 

Okay, this info is coming from Carnival as of last week. Names must match. So, I then went the route of contacting Immigration per carnival's suggestion. This is what they sent me:

 

Please be advised if the names on your government issued photo I. D. and your birth certificate are different you will need to provide a document showing legal name change such as a marriage certificate. Please note that in our online tracking software, a “Solved” status simply means that we have provided you with the best information we have to your question. There may still be steps you need to complete before your situation is resolved to your satisfaction. Those steps are explained in our response. If you need further clarification on those steps, please feel free to contact us back.

 

Thank you for contacting Customs and Border Protection's CBP INFO Center. If you have any other questions or would like clarification on this response, please feel free to contact us either by calling our toll free number 877 CBP-5511 (227-5511) or if calling from outside the United States our toll number 703-526-4200 and speak with a Public Information Officer. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm Eastern Time.

 

Now, the reply from immigration did not address the very specific question that I asked them. They just regurgitated what is on their website.

I would not be at ease with heading to the port with documentation that 'might' be accepted. Don't assume that you will be okay just because someone else made it through in the past. Gambling in the ship's casino is expensive enough, don't gamble on whether or not you will be allowed on the boat in the first place.

Take the time to obtain documents that will work. Go get a Photo ID made with the correct, maiden, name. My fiancee and I corrected our situation, and so can you. :)

[Mamabear17]

Wow...thanks to everyone. I sure wish I would have thought about this issue sooner. My cruise is in 3 weeks, so a passport is out of the question. I do not have a marriage certificate, and I got married in another country, so I can't obtain a copy of that. I know I can get a copy of the divorce decree, if that will work.

 

Someone did mention my son's BC will have my maiden name, and I thought I was in the clear :) until someone else quoted Carnival, which is my cruiseline. :( I did email them, but haven't received a response yet.

 

I appreciate everyone's help!

[kitty9]

I continue to maintain, GET A PASSPORT !!!!! Why, other than not wanting to part with the money, are so many Americans refusing to get passports??? It solves all these problems with marriage, divorce, name changes and all the rest. If you can afford a cruise/air fare/shore excursions/drinks, you should be able to afford a passport.

[paracer]

Wow...thanks to everyone. I sure wish I would have thought about this issue sooner. My cruise is in 3 weeks, so a passport is out of the question. I do not have a marriage certificate, and I got married in another country, so I can't obtain a copy of that. I know I can get a copy of the divorce decree, if that will work.

 

Someone did mention my son's BC will have my maiden name, and I thought I was in the clear :) until someone else quoted Carnival, which is my cruiseline. :( I did email them, but haven't received a response yet.

 

I appreciate everyone's help!

 

Bingo!! A divorce decree! That's good!

 

Your birth certificate.

Your driver's license/ photo ID

Your divorce decree. This is the document that will explain why your ID does not match the BC.

 

Those are the three things that you will need. You should be set.

[Mamabear17]

So I finally got in touch with Carnival. I was told that the BC is only for proof of residence. I do not need any type of bridging document because my DL and boarding pass have the same name. My BC will have my DOB, as will my DL, so they told me that's all I need. I may call them again anyway and make sure a different CS rep gives me the same info. Thanks again, everyone!

[Gonzo70]

Wow...thanks to everyone. I sure wish I would have thought about this issue sooner. My cruise is in 3 weeks, so a passport is out of the question. I do not have a marriage certificate, and I got married in another country, so I can't obtain a copy of that. I know I can get a copy of the divorce decree, if that will work.

 

Someone did mention my son's BC will have my maiden name, and I thought I was in the clear :) until someone else quoted Carnival, which is my cruiseline. :( I did email them, but haven't received a response yet.

 

I appreciate everyone's help!

 

As another poster mentioned, you also need to bring notarized permission from your son's father providing you with permission to take him out of the country or bring legal documents proving you have full legal custody.

 

Hope everything works out and that you have a great trip.

[Gonzo70]

So I finally got in touch with Carnival. I was told that the BC is only for proof of residence. I do not need any type of bridging document because my DL and boarding pass have the same name. My BC will have my DOB, as will my DL, so they told me that's all I need. I may call them again anyway and make sure a different CS rep gives me the same info. Thanks again, everyone!

 

Make sure you receive something in writing; their website says a bridging document is required. Paracer also received a response from Carnival that a bridging document is required (see post #17 in this thread).

[cherylandtk]

FYI from Carnival's website: "Guest names on travel documents (passport, Alien Resident Card, birth certificate, etc.) must be identical to those on the cruise and airline tickets. Otherwise, proof of name change (e.g., a marriage license) or a valid driver's license (or other government-issued photo ID) must be presented."

Carnival considers the valid driver license to be proof of the name change.

[Gonzo70]

Carnival considers the valid driver license to be proof of the name change.

 

But in that case wouldn't the valid driver's license have to have the same name as the birth certificate? How would a valid driver's license with one name provide "proof" that a birth certificate in a different name is the same person? I am not saying you are incorrect, I am just asking for clarification as this seems peculiar to me.