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Original poster

URGENT HELP PLEASE - flying tomorrow but Covid pass is in married name, passport and ticket in maiden name

68 replies

NewNormalLife · 28/03/2022 00:01

I didnt realise this would be such an issue. I thought I'd read somewhere that I could take my marriage certificate with me, but when I tried to upload my covid pass earlier it was rejected and now I've read that you'd have to allow 2 weeks to have name changed on nhs records and a new covid pass. I'm panicking majorly.

this process has been so stressful, ensuring we don't get covid, doing the test the night before, and uploading everything. I'm 7 months pregnant and the stress is really affecting me..

can anyone tell me any positive stories of being able to use marriage certificate flying on Virgin to America.

Thanks

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 28/03/2022 00:10

Could you not get retested at the airport tomorrow?

GahAndTheBear · 28/03/2022 00:17

Call virgin customer services.

mumofthree22 · 28/03/2022 00:33

Someone was asking a similar question

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g1-i10702-Air_Travel.html

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 28/03/2022 00:52

Thanks yes I've seen that thread. I plan to ask to tomorrow to change my name back to my maiden name but my flight is at 6pm. I dont know of it will be changed in time.

its not a case of getting re tested. I have a negative certificate. its about my vaccination status. my vaccine record says my married name.

OP posts:
TheTeenageYears · 28/03/2022 01:00

I don't know if it would be the same for a last name but there were issues at one point where we live with all documents needing to match including middle names. The covid pass only shows first name and last name. We were able to call the GP and have the middle name added to the first name field in their system with a space between names and that then uploaded the same or next day to the NHS system and reflected in the covid pass. Not all GP's were amenable to doing it but we had no problems and the update to the central NHS system was really quick. It's possible there might be a procedure they have to follow for maiden to married name but if you can get to the GP surgery for opening time with marriage certificate in hand I would probably start with that.

TheTeenageYears · 28/03/2022 01:04

Sorry, missed that passport and flight are in maiden name. GP should presumably have your maiden name on file so possibly just them simply reinstating it on their records.

lovemelongtime · 28/03/2022 02:39

Depends on how helpful your GP surgery is. I had the same thing a few days before holiday. They wouldn't change it back when I explained the situation, but when I went in again the next day and asked for a name change and filled in their stood form, they did it within hours. The change then pulls through to your NHS record and you are sorted. It is possible but you need them to action it quick. I can imagine how stressful, but unfortunately that's the only way round it I think.

pinacollama · 28/03/2022 02:55

I had this issue. On the way out I took a private pcr test. On the way home I just checked in at the airport and it didn’t cause any problems.

More recently I asked my gp surgery to change my record back to maiden name - my nhs covid app had changed my name to match within a few minutes.

Hope this post makes sense, up with baby and half asleep.

Katff · 28/03/2022 02:55

Not virgin but I had this exact issue with British Airways at Xmas re not being able to upload the documents online. I simply checked in at the airport armed with all the travel docs and my marriage certificate and that was accepted. I also took proof of ID in my married name (driving licence) as this would be needed abroad and a copy of my birth certificate. The birth certificate was not needed. I think this is quite a common issue but get to the airport in good time before your flight.

Sodullincomparison · 28/03/2022 04:13

My passport, tickets and covid pass were in a mix of maiden/ married names and nobody cared.

I took my marriage certificate and offered it but nobody looked. I’ve been of six flights with this scenario.

You can’t upload for a passenger locator form but there is a box to click can’t upload and will show in person.

Riseholme · 28/03/2022 04:33

In France maiden name is used on vaccine pass.
Nobody even worries.
Do you have to upload your documents?

olympicsrock · 28/03/2022 04:41

I have your situation, and have flown regularly. There has never been an issue. Same address , d o b etc

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 28/03/2022 04:50

thanks for your responses. I couldn't get through to virgin on the phone but my husband sent them a dm on twitter and they replied saying it was a very strict requirement and I will likely be refused permission to board the plane. however 3 days ago virgin gave another person on twitter different advice.

if my gp did change my records this morning, does anyone know how long it will take to update on the covid pass?

OP posts:
Iamclearlyamug · 28/03/2022 05:27

Unless things have changed since I went on holiday in October - it won’t matter. My passport and ticket were in my maiden name and covid pass in my married name and literally nobody blinked, not at check in or boarding or passport control or ANYWHERE. Not even one comment or question about it 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 28/03/2022 05:46

@Iamclearlyamug where did you fly to? and what airline?

OP posts:
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 28/03/2022 05:51

Hi OP,
Had this exact issue with BA last month - luckily I realised in time, but it took around 8 days between my GP surgery changing my name for my covid nhs pass to update itself.
Hope you get yours sorted, fingers crossed for you

Bellstay · 28/03/2022 05:55

I flew BA earlier this year. Passport and tickets in maiden name and covid pass in married name. We couldn't check in online to return to UK but otherwise nobody queried it. My passport does state that I use both surnames but I didn't have any additional ID with me.

WahWahWahs · 28/03/2022 06:25

I have travelled a few times (not with Virgin, but with other major airlines) with this situation.
Just had my marriage certificate and all my ID and it was fine. Went to the airport a little earlier each time.
Good luck!

Cyclingforcake · 28/03/2022 06:30

It should be fine. I had this with Eurostar and no one blinked. Contact customer services via their online chat function and they’ll probably be able to sort it for the pre validation. Then just carry your marriage certificate if anyone asks.

passport123 · 28/03/2022 06:35

Covid pass won't update in time. Go to the airport very early and take your marriage certificate and a copy of ID in both names.

Porridgeislife · 28/03/2022 06:39

I had the reverse issue - passport in married name, Covid pass in maiden name.

Annoyingly, the NHS had mysteriously reversed my married name change of some years back to my maiden name which I only discovered when I tried to use VeriFLY. Earlier in the year it was correct!

BA advised to bring marriage certificate with me & I had no problems checking in with them. Virgin should not be any different - they checked in a friend last month who took the wrong type of Covid test for his destination!

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 28/03/2022 06:46

unfortunately my driving licence is also in my maiden name. are there any other forms of identification I could bring? I've only got hospital maternity letters in my married name, in paper format.

OP posts:
passport123 · 28/03/2022 06:58

@NewNormalLife

unfortunately my driving licence is also in my maiden name. are there any other forms of identification I could bring? I've only got hospital maternity letters in my married name, in paper format.
You'll just have to take whatever you've got, multiple things ideally and allow time to escalate to senior staff at the airport. I would get there 4 hours before your flight leaves.
EJ81 · 28/03/2022 07:05

You need to call your doctor they get your name changed back to match your passport - similar happened to me when I had my covid vaccination done they wrote my name wrong so it didn't match - total panic but I called my doctors and my name was changed with 10 mins on the NHS app this was the day before I flew apparently it's happening a lot. Good luck x

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