passport question

palmtreegirl · 09-22-2009

Someone brought to my attn. that I might have a problem at customs with my passport. My passport has the middle initial of my maiden name. My Driver Lic. has the middle initial of my birth given middle name. Thus they do not match. Now, I haven't had trouble with this for the past 5 years, 6 months ago the most recent travel to Mexico. When checking the passport websites, it doesn't mention anythink about middle initials.
Can anyone shed some light on this if I'm going to have a problem with our upcoming trip in Nov.? Thanks

**Susie Q Roo** · 09-22-2009

Because you have a passport, there is no reason to show your driver's license at all, so you should have no problem.

DavidB · 09-22-2009

I don't even think they look at your name. It seems to me that they look at the picture then scan the bar code.

bellaa · 09-22-2009

Where you might have a problem is if your ticket and your passport don't match. They started a new policy in August where if the passport has a middle name the ticket must, also. At least that's what the airline told me.

palmtreegirl · 09-22-2009

Thanks! I feel relieved now!

Wilfam · 09-22-2009

I have been flying to Mexico via the US, currently I am organizing a group for December. I put in a call when the regulations were changed regarding the full names to match the Air Ticket to the Passport and was told they would do the changes on the group as we had not been ticketed as of yet so no issue. The airline ( a US Carrier ) did mention there is a bit of a relaxed attitude on this for a period of time ( they could not give me a date for the relaxed attitude to end ) so I feel it is better to totally match passport to air ticket if possible.
The issue will come up if there is an incident and one is travelling, trying to get back home with an unmatched id and ticket. Due to the fact that most tickets are now paper etickets I think it is alot easier to change the ticket, but phone and ask the airline to add your middle name to your e ticket. This really only applies to International Travel, domestic flights in Canada or US may ask to see more than one id if you have a discrepancy in spelling or initials just to confirm identity. Be aware for future travel: I am sure however it will end up being a money grab on the part of the airlines, so try and get used to using your legal name on all documents that pertain to travel.
If you have a passport you should not be required to show any other identification.
Just a Note: I always tell clients just don't offer extra information to immigratin or customs agents unless they ask you. Answer their questions when asked and don't offer any extra info unless they ask for it.
Enjoy your trip.

palmtreegirl · 09-22-2009

Thanks everybody....I just checked our tickets on line and they don't even have a middle initial on them. So, I'm going to guess we won't have a problem.

janlandry · 09-22-2009

I agree with David, don't worry about middle names,I have 2 middle names and of course they only put 1 (if any) on the tickets, noone has ever questioned it, & we go to Mexico every winter.

bellaa · 09-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by janlandry

I agree with David, don't worry about middle names,I have 2 middle names and of course they only put 1 (if any) on the tickets, noone has ever questioned it, & we go to Mexico every winter.

Since this new rule just started in August you might just want to be careful. On our way to Mexico it didn't matter but on our way back, the day after it went into effect, they did look at everything and match up the names. Because we knew about it in advance we had the names adjusted on our tickets to match. All it took was a phone call to the airline.

synestere · 09-22-2009

Could be different kettle of fish if you come from Ohio though

equinenut · 09-22-2009

Unless you're planning on renting a car and driving, leave the liscense at home. One less valuable to worry about and they only look at the PP anyway.

playafava · 09-22-2009

A good rule to follow these days is: Your name on your ticket should match your passport EXACTLY!!!!!! then you know there will be no problem

DarMI · 09-22-2009

Yes they are getting fussier. I would call the airline and see if they could add your middle initial or name that matches your passport. Name changes are usually not allowed but sometimes you can get away with adding a middle name. If not the airline can always put notes in the record. Recently Airtran has required first/middle/last plus your birthdate and sex

(male/female for all you people thinking otherwise) even if it is a domestic flight.

Tallyho · 09-22-2009

Make your reservation with the same exact name you have on your passport, as far as customs goes, your passport is a legal document and it supersedes all other documents, you shouldn't have to show your drivers lic. but if you made your flight reservations with a credit card that has a different name then you might have some issues.

palmtreegirl · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by synestere

Could be different kettle of fish if you come from Ohio though

True! LOL

09-22-2009	#1 (permalink)
palmtreegirl beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 266	passport question Someone brought to my attn. that I might have a problem at customs with my passport. My passport has the middle initial of my maiden name. My Driver Lic. has the middle initial of my birth given middle name. Thus they do not match. Now, I haven't had trouble with this for the past 5 years, 6 months ago the most recent travel to Mexico. When checking the passport websites, it doesn't mention anythink about middle initials. Can anyone shed some light on this if I'm going to have a problem with our upcoming trip in Nov.? Thanks

09-22-2009	#8 (permalink)
janlandry way into it Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Innisfil Ont, Canada/ & PDC Posts: 160	passport I agree with David, don't worry about middle names,I have 2 middle names and of course they only put 1 (if any) on the tickets, noone has ever questioned it, & we go to Mexico every winter.

09-22-2009	#2 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo Critter Magnet Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 16,081	Because you have a passport, there is no reason to show your driver's license at all, so you should have no problem.

09-22-2009	#3 (permalink)
DavidB añejo Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mid Mich Posts: 4,250	I don't even think they look at your name. It seems to me that they look at the picture then scan the bar code.

09-22-2009	#4 (permalink)
bellaa way into it Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central FLorida Posts: 190	Where you might have a problem is if your ticket and your passport don't match. They started a new policy in August where if the passport has a middle name the ticket must, also. At least that's what the airline told me.

09-22-2009	#5 (permalink)
palmtreegirl beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 266	Thanks! I feel relieved now!

09-22-2009	#6 (permalink)
Wilfam beachaholic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central BC, Canada Posts: 452	I have been flying to Mexico via the US, currently I am organizing a group for December. I put in a call when the regulations were changed regarding the full names to match the Air Ticket to the Passport and was told they would do the changes on the group as we had not been ticketed as of yet so no issue. The airline ( a US Carrier ) did mention there is a bit of a relaxed attitude on this for a period of time ( they could not give me a date for the relaxed attitude to end ) so I feel it is better to totally match passport to air ticket if possible. The issue will come up if there is an incident and one is travelling, trying to get back home with an unmatched id and ticket. Due to the fact that most tickets are now paper etickets I think it is alot easier to change the ticket, but phone and ask the airline to add your middle name to your e ticket. This really only applies to International Travel, domestic flights in Canada or US may ask to see more than one id if you have a discrepancy in spelling or initials just to confirm identity. Be aware for future travel: I am sure however it will end up being a money grab on the part of the airlines, so try and get used to using your legal name on all documents that pertain to travel. If you have a passport you should not be required to show any other identification. Just a Note: I always tell clients just don't offer extra information to immigratin or customs agents unless they ask you. Answer their questions when asked and don't offer any extra info unless they ask for it. Enjoy your trip.

09-22-2009	#7 (permalink)
palmtreegirl beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 266	Thanks everybody....I just checked our tickets on line and they don't even have a middle initial on them. So, I'm going to guess we won't have a problem.

09-22-2009	#10 (permalink)
synestere añejo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cuernavaca Posts: 2,562	Could be different kettle of fish if you come from Ohio though

09-22-2009	#11 (permalink)
equinenut añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin, Wisconsin Posts: 1,649	Unless you're planning on renting a car and driving, leave the liscense at home. One less valuable to worry about and they only look at the PP anyway.

09-22-2009	#12 (permalink)
playafava reposado Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Playa Baby!!!!! Posts: 1,072	A good rule to follow these days is: Your name on your ticket should match your passport EXACTLY!!!!!! then you know there will be no problem

09-22-2009	#13 (permalink)
DarMI añejo Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Waterford, Michigan...for now Posts: 1,578	Yes they are getting fussier. I would call the airline and see if they could add your middle initial or name that matches your passport. Name changes are usually not allowed but sometimes you can get away with adding a middle name. If not the airline can always put notes in the record. Recently Airtran has required first/middle/last plus your birthdate and sex (male/female for all you people thinking otherwise) even if it is a domestic flight.

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09-22-2009	#14 (permalink)
Tallyho life=playa Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 558	Make your reservation with the same exact name you have on your passport, as far as customs goes, your passport is a legal document and it supersedes all other documents, you shouldn't have to show your drivers lic. but if you made your flight reservations with a credit card that has a different name then you might have some issues.