Question for anyone who has been abroad recently?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Hi everyone,

We are booked to go to an amber list island in July which we are hoping will turn green at the next review. Both fully vaccinated and have the NHS app which displays the details. The country we are visiting accepts proof of vaccination rather than a negative test for entry. My question relates to my passport though - I got married 3 years ago and my passport is still in my previous name as I had years left to run on it. Holiday is booked in my old name to match passport. But my vaccination proof is in my married name, as will I guess any negative PCR tests which we will probably have to have for re-entry to the UK.

I was thinking of taking my marriage cert with me, and I also still have credit cards in both names, so these would show it's the same person. This is a bit unusual and I just wondered if anyone had been abroad in these circumstances and had any issues? Don't even know where to go for official advice on this so am struggling a bit.

Thanks

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Anyone?

[SheriffCallie]

I can’t help you, Chocolate, but I’m following with interest. I have a similar issue, but in reverse, in that my travel booking is in my married name, but my vaccine card (no app, not England) is in my maiden name as that’s the name I work under and I got my vaccine through work (NHS). So I’m wondering if taking my marriage cert will be sufficient, or if I need to pay my GP practice to issue a letter in my married name stating that I’m doubly vaccinated.
Also wondering if we are going to the same ‘amber but hopefully green soon’ island that accepts vaccine passports.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Thanks for the response, there must be a few people in the same position. Might bump this in a week or two when more people have travelled. (We are going to Corfu, hopefully!!)

[mrsrobin]

Hi there, I was in a similar situation. I am going on holiday in June (hopefully) to a country, like yours, that says you can show proof of your vaccs instead of a test to get in. My passport is in my married name and my NHS records, including my Covid Vaccs, in my maiden name.
To save hassle in the future, I contacted the doctors surgery and told them I wanted to change my name on my records. (I originally didn't bother changing this as thought there was no reason to). I had to scan my marriage cert and email it to them. They then changed my name - and I can now see my proof of vaccs in the app - all in my married name to match my passport. Hope this helps!

[mrsrobin]

Oh - I forgot to say - mine is the opposite way round - but what I meant to say was I told the surgery why I wanted to change it - I would just do that if I was you - you can call yourself by your maiden name if you want so I would just ask the surgery to amend it for you.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Thanks @mrsrobin however I've already changed names with my surgery and I don't really want to revert to my previous name, as I will change my passport when it expires. Surely they will accept photo ID and marriage cert as proof that I am the same person! Hopefully someone will know.

[Minstermouse]

I worry and like to get things sorted well in advance. Can you speak to the Embassy about your situation, it ought to be able to tell you what their authorities will accept?

[mrsrobin]

Yes Chocolate, I am sure they will - it's just that you can't relax I suppose unless you know for sure!

[ImInStealthMode]

Just take your marriage certificate with you. People book honeymoons in their married name while their passport is in their old name all the time, airports / airlines / travel industry are used to it, I don't see why it being your vax proof rather than your ticket would make much difference.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

@ImInStealthMode

Just take your marriage certificate with you. People book honeymoons in their married name while their passport is in their old name all the time, airports / airlines / travel industry are used to it, I don't see why it being your vax proof rather than your ticket would make much difference.

Thanks I will...I always book holidays in maiden name to match my passport. I just don't want to get turned away! Think I will ask my tour operator for advice as well.

[ImInStealthMode]

@chocolatesaltyballs22 For reference, I am a Tour Operator, but yes certainly a good idea to ask your own who can make destination specific checks

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Thanks @ImInStealthMode, good to know 😊

[SheriffCallie]

@chocolatesaltyballs22, I’ve sent an email to the Greek embassy about my query ie would marriage cert be sufficient supporting documentation . If/when I hear back I’ll let you know, it may help with your question.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

[quote SheriffCallie]@chocolatesaltyballs22, I’ve sent an email to the Greek embassy about my query ie would marriage cert be sufficient supporting documentation . If/when I hear back I’ll let you know, it may help with your question.[/quote]
Ah thank you, that would be fab.

[Lucked]

I would take your marriage certificate

[Thisismyname77463]

If you buy a pcr test before you go put it in whatever name is on your passport.
I haven’t changed my surname and we have been away and just did the PCR test in my maiden name before departure.

[SheriffCallie]

@Thisismyname77463, that’s my plan B (and probably Choc’s) but we are travelling to Greek islands where we hopefully don’t need to pay for a PCR on way there due to having both vaccines. Would be good to save a few £££ where we can.

[motogogo]

Definitely take marriage certificate, might be worth slipping in extra I'd like a utility bill etc

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

@motogogo

Definitely take marriage certificate, might be worth slipping in extra I'd like a utility bill etc

I don't have paper utility bills! But I do have bank / credit cards in both names.