Passports: Those of you with “also known as” names, could you help me out?

[ThymePoultice]

So I’ve had an “also known as” name in my passport for a while. It was useful for proving my identity when I was married and using my own name for work and married name for private life.

I’m now recently divorced, and due to go on a short break next week. The trouble is I can’t remember if I ever traveled on it for tickets in my own name (which is the “known as” name). I have very rarely had to travel for work, and at least twice I’ve booked and billed expenses.

So I’ve confused myself about whether I’ve ever done this before and I’m suddenly worried it won’t be as smooth as billed.

Can anyone reassure me that it’s always just fine? Should I carry marriage certificate and divorce decree just in case?

Nobody? Maybe it’s quite rare to have them?

Hi I work for an airline and it is always your name as it appears in your passport so whatever name is on your passport is what you need your airline ticket to say. This is presumed to be your legal name so that's what needs to be on the ticket.

Okay thanks.

My other name is listed under “official observations” and that’s the one on the ticket. Will that not work then?

Maybe I should phone ticketing now and catch them while it’s quiet.

Is it a British passport? I’ve used different names at work/personally for a least 2 passports and didn’t realise this was a possibility. I renewed last in Dec 2019. I do have an aka name on my driving licence.
I shears have to make sure that travel documents for work are in my married name.

I have done this for the same reasons you have. I always use my maiden name for everything - which is the also known as name- but have had to book flights as the one listed on the name page - my married name. Those names did to match up to any flight tickets, but other types of travel fine.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

Is it a British passport? I’ve used different names at work/personally for a least 2 passports and didn’t realise this was a possibility. I renewed last in Dec 2019. I do have an aka name on my driving licence. I shears have to make sure that travel documents for work are in my married name.

Yes. UK passport. I’m the opposite, I didn’t realise it was possible in driving licences.

@QueenofFox

I have done this for the same reasons you have. I always use my maiden name for everything - which is the also known as name- but have had to book flights as the one listed on the name page - my married name. Those names did to match up to any flight tickets, but other types of travel fine.

Okay thanks. Just as well I got nervous about it!

Weird, though. I obviously completely misunderstood the point of them. I must have known on some level not to trust it.

Thanks both.

Interesting. I have an also known as passport - but didn't know I could on my driving license, thank you Ibiza!

I've always had tickets in my primary name (except possibly to NI but since I didn't need my passport it probably wasn't matterable).

Flying back recently I couldn't check in online (BA) because my health records ( essential for work) are in my married name (which I now work under). It was a no brainer when I met an actual person because they could see I was both Brassica and Cabbage.

Never tried to fly as Cabbage though.

Complicated, isn’t it? Sometimes I think I should have double barrelled.

I have it on my passport and I’ve only flown under my “main” name on there. However I’ve had to show the “also known as” bit for insurance and car hire which is sometimes booked in the also known as name due to joint policies with DH and once with issues with a visa.

My other name is listed under “official observations” and that’s the one on the ticket. Will that not work then?

Probably not.

It's likely to be ok for a domestic flight.

But for all international travel you need to use the main name on the details page of your passport (not the observations). And it really, really helps if you need to hire a car at destination for your driving licence and a credit card to match too.

You need to pick one name and stick with it. Though having a note in passport observations that makes travel easier is worth it. Doesn't sound as if it does, in your case, so I'd let the AKA lapse

Thanks. That has cleared that up just in time.