I have a trip booked — when should I start?
Start now, but leave the document you will travel on until after the trip — your boarding pass and the ID you hand over need to agree.
Travel and timing
Trips, tickets, deadlines, and which document to leave until last.
Should I update my passport before an international trip?
Take the trip first. There is no deadline for updating a passport after a name change, and updating it means sending the book away for weeks.
Can I fly domestically in the middle of a name change?
Yes. If your license is the ID you fly with, leave the update until after the trip so the ticket and the card still agree on the day.
I booked a flight in my new name but my ID still shows the old one
Contact the airline about correcting the name on the booking. If it cannot be corrected, the ID you present has to catch up to the ticket before you fly.
How do I update Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
Update your Trusted Traveler record online through Customs and Border Protection with your new passport, or in person at any enrollment center. The name update is free.
What should I carry while my documents do not all match?
Carry a certified copy of the document that links the two names, and make sure the ticket matches the ID you will actually hand over.
How does a name change affect voting in an election year?
Update your voter registration before your state’s deadline. If the roll and your ID disagree at the polling place, the remedy is state-specific — your state election office is who to ask.