Wedding Blog
I’m sure what I’m about to blog about is a common problem among those honeymooning out of the country. I’m talking about the new passport that will be good for about 1 month (if that is how long it takes me to get my name changed).
It had the potential to be really easy though, my current, which may or may not still be good, is renewable by mail.
But, I just can’t find it… and I looked EVERYWHERE. I did find my passport from 16 years ago, when I was 12, but it was “canceled” when I got the newer one.
Hence, the holes… I think that counts as “damaged”, but I could be wrong. So, I need to “Apply in Person” and get another passport.
Luckily, because I still have the canceled passport, I just need to go to take that to the Post Office and I don’t have to locate my Birth Certificate. I’m pretty sure my mom still has my Birth Certificate, but if my luck finding my current passport is any indication, I wouldn’t put money on it.
While I was reading through the list of “or”s, I read that last one: “Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change“. To me, that means I will be getting another passport when Mr Frenchie and I decide to to travel abroad in the future, post name change. However, in that case I will be able to mail it in… I think.
The upside? The upside is that this means I will have to get my picture taken and, if I remember correctly, I get to keep the excess pictures. Excess passport pictures is exactly what I need to get my Student ID. Movie discounts, here I come!
Are you getting a “temporary” passport too? Have you hit any snags getting your passport with your new married name?
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Don’t give up faith! I was in the same boat. I found the old passport, copies of my current passport but I couldn’t find the actual darn passport. After several nights of ripping apart the house and tearing apart the drawers I decided to one last time visit the drawer where I had always thought it was. I found it wedged inside a book from my health insurance. I went to my county clerk’s office in PA and they told me I had to report the passport stolen, I’d get documentation that allowed me to apply for a new one. Good luck. I’d suggest checking where you think it might be again!
I don’t even know when I should take care of this. I’m thinking it might just be easier to change my name when I move back to the states! Otherwise, I’ll need to change my name, get a new passport, and get a new chilean ID card, and a new chilean driver’s license…. ugghhh…
I’ll have about 2 days to change my name/get a new passport 
Argh this is my frustration too! My passport expires one month after our wedding date. I can use it for the honeymoon, meaning I COULD techincally use it. The picture, however, is from like 10 years ago - I look 100% different! When I fly with that for ID people are like “uhhh…do you have an alternate form of government identification?” so going international is out. Meaning I have to get a new one to use once before I change it. Grumble. No hiccups yet though (fingers crossed)
If it’s any consolation, after you change your name, it’s free to get a new passport with your new name (for up to a year).
As long as you can send documentation of your name change (i.e. marriage certificate), i believe they will replace your passport without a new passport fee (hey, saves $60 or whatever it costs) if it is within a year of the issue date of your current passport.
@KellyV: You might want to double check the requirements for the country you are visiting for your honeymoon. I know some countries will only let you enter if your passport is good for 30-60 days after you return home.
@mrsbear: your right, I was going to mention that. All’s you have to do is send in the passport with your new picture within a year of issuance and you’ll get a new one. I loved reading that since we’ll be married 1 year and 1 month AFTER I got my passport…GRRR
I’ll second what becca said! Unfortunately I went in looking rough to get my new passport photo and told the guy I didn’t care if it was bad since I’d only be using it once, then getting a new one with my new name. He said it’s easy and free to do the name change, but I’m tempted to pay up and get a whole new passport when the next trip comes around because the picture is so bad it puts mug shots to shame.
The free passport name change only applies if your current passport is less than one year old. My curren passport is 2 years old, so I will have to pay $75 to change my name.
Mine was not free after I changed my name. I had changed my drivers license and social security card first and was told that I could NOT renew my passport in the mail regarding a name change. Even if you still had your current one, once you have a new drivers license, they treat you as a new applicant essentially. My new passport is not the same number as my previous one. So, unfortunately I think you’ll need a new one before your trip and a new one once you decide to change your name. But, in theory - you could use the new one for 10 years and just always book international travel in your maiden name.
If honeymooning out of the country you not only have to have a valid passport, you need for it to be valid for the next six months to travel to most countries. Not only that, you may need a visa depending on where you are going. And they won’t give you a visa without 6 months left on your passport. Please check! My husband and I were unable to take our honeymoon for these reasons exactly. I have traveled many places and have never needed a visa, but Brazil was our honeymoon destination and they require visas. Word to the wise!
Another thing to keep in mind, some countries (ie those in the EU) will start requiring biometric passports or waive fingerprinting, visa apps etc. for those that have one. If your passport is several years old, getting a new one might be smart even if the old one hasn’t expired.
Oh man, I hadn’t even thought about that for brides who are changing their names. That really sucks! Luckily my current passport doesn’t expire until 2011, so even if I was changing my name, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
yay! I just got my first passport at 30 yrs old(never had the $$ to travel ) for our prehoneymoon this week, so when i change my name it will be free?!
It’s free to change your name on your passport for up to a year after you get your most recent one… so if you get a passport with your maiden name on it hopefully you will be getting married (and sending in the paperwork) within a year… if not, you have to pay the full price to renew. I know — just went through getting one (won’t be changing my name within a year) on a last minute invite to a wedding in Canada! Ugh, frustrating!!
Here the info on the one year rule:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html
omg.. Crap. i def forgot that our damn Canadian bike rice is going to mean i need a new passport. ish!
Oh honey, the same thing happened to me- I could not find my childhood passport when I applied for an adult one. I ended up filling out the “lost passport” form, and it was embarrassing. Where did you lose your passport? “Somewhere in my house”. How did you work to find it? “I turned my house upside down”.
omg I was just googling this! Thank you for clarifying Miss. Frenchie!
In Canada I think it works a little different…so I’ll wait until all of my paper work is in etc and have changed my name at the bank, License etc…then go for the passport 
This is one reason I’m glad we’re not honeymooning until 8-10 months after our wedding. Plenty of time for me to get all this name stuff out of the way!
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Mrs. French Bulldog, Orange County
Age and Occupation: 28, Administrative Assistant & Interior Design Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Purchasing Analyst
Engagement Date: November 8, 2008
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: Bernardo Winery
About Me: I've lived in Atlanta, Dallas and Laguna Niguel; although I've lived in Orange County, CA most my life, I'm a Southerner at heart. I work full time for a Commercial General Contractor (aka my father) and I go to school for Interior Design at night. I love modern design, music, wine, crafting, DMailing, my family, my Westies, and of course, Mr Frenchie! Mr Frenchie and I met 3 years ago on Match.com and have been best friends ever since. I love his "old soul" and how he laughs with his whole body, among many other things. We are planning our summer wedding at the winery near his hometown, just 45 minutes south of Orange County.
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