How to buy an international ticket when name on foreign passport is different from name on green card
If a US resident (but not citizen) changed their name in the US and got a re-issued green card with that new name, the original foreign passport is still in the old name.
How do you buy tickets to fly internationally then? Using the new name or the old name? (I imagine you'd also have to carry some documents proving the change of the name with you, but even given that, the documents might not be officially recognized outside of the US.)
Is there (or how to approach looking for) an official document regulating what to do in cases like this?
Best Answer
The ticket needs to be purchased in the (old) name listed inside the passport. You may also have to provide a passport number, which obviously also needs to match the passport you wish to travel on.
I assume the change-of-name is due to marriage. In this case US law allows you to continue to use your maiden name for legal matters. We have previously (accidentally) purchased tickets for my wife under her maiden name, while her passport was already updated and it wasn't a problem, but this might vary from airline to airline.
As advised before, I strongly recommend applying for a new passport, which should be possible through your embassy. If you plan to travel soon, they often allow expedited processing (for a fee). You can often even get a temporary passport issued directly at the embassy (imagine you lost your passport and need to travel home tomorrow - such documents are generally accepted internationally.
You will (under normal circumstanced) be allowed to keep your current passport (invalidated by your embassy), due to the US VISA inside. For a while I had to travel with two passports constantly as you are not allowed to remove the US VISA.
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Does name on ticket have to match passport?
Answer: As part of the TSA's Secure Flight Program, the names on airline tickets must match the name on passports. We recommend that you contact the airline you are traveling with to see if they can provide a solution for the name mismatch.How can I correct my name on my green card?
Procedure for Requesting a Corrected Green Card In order to request a corrected card, you must complete and submit a USCIS Form I-90, which can be easily downloaded from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, or there's an option to file online, after creating a USCIS account.Can I travel to Canada if my passport has my maiden name?
Using a US passport with your maiden name If you're planning to drive across the border to Canada or Mexico, or otherwise take a form of transportation that does not require you to enter your current legal name, then using a passport with your maiden name should not be a problem.Can You Travel With A Different Last Name On Your Passport And Green Card?
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Answer 2
As a green card holder you don't need a passport at all to re-renter the US, only your green card. Of course, leaving the other country will most likely require a passport, but not entering the US.
So use your name on the green card, because the green card is all you need to present at check-in, as well as US border control.
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