Covid Pass/Passport name

[JD2021]

My Wife has always travelled on a passport in her maiden name simply because of the cost of changing to her married name (in excess of £1000 for her country). Her medical records are in her married name and so her Covid Pass (in her married name) does not match her passport. She can no longer travel nor travel home.

Our Surgery tell us they will only change back to her maiden name if we get divorced. The Covid Pass people tell us this is a problem affecting thousands of Women and that our Surgery should simply change the Covid pass name once she has provided proof she is one in the same person. I explained theyve refused and they said our Surgery were incorrect. Searching online a Surgery in Newbury are actually publicising they will change the Covid pass name for Women in this situation.

Changing my Wifes name by deed poll to her maiden name has also been suggested. Our NHS medical records office offered no help and appeared clueless to the issue.

Does anyone know how to address this problem. Its becoming increasingly common. I am sure the Covid Pass scheme never envisaged this issue. A friend was refused boarding at Heathrow because her Covid pass didnt match her passport which was in her maiden name. A very costly problem for her.
My Wife cant travel anywhere at present even in an emergency so it would be really helpful if anyone had a definitive on this. Many Thanks.

It costs £42 to change your name by deed poll,
That’s cheaper than a new passport.

I doubt you’ll be far with the gp practice as they are usually difficult.

I’d just do the name change and then change back at a later date if it really matters to her.

It doesn’t cost anything to change your name by a change of name deed. You can Google templates for free. There are sites that charge but they’re no more official than writing it out yourself.

The drs is right that the covid pass is in the name she's registered with, if she changes her name they will change her records accordingly - they can't change records at will

Take both points completely. Changing name by deed poll due to a Coid pass/passport miss match seems drastic but may be the only option.

to gogohm, take your point completely. However the Covid Pass department said categorically she could have the pass changed to her maiden name despite the miss match with her records and here is one of several surgeries already doing it www.strawberryhillmedicalcentre.co.uk/practice_news/passport-name-not-matching-covid-passport/

This reminded me that I need to sort out my passport vs. NHS name situation. Called my GP and the receptionist (thank you Amie!) was really helpful - told me to call in with the appropriate ID and they'd sort it out then and there.

If it helps I travelled to Spain and back last week, passport in maiden name and covid pass in married name - nobody questioned it or even mentioned it at all. I did take my birth certificate and marriage certificate with me to prove my name change but was never asked for it 🤷‍♀️

I generally use my marriage certificate to prove my name change. I have no photo ID in my married name but my mortgage and bank accounts are.

Contact the local CCG or health board. They usually have enough clout to get a GP practice to play ball.

Thank you all for all the helpful replies. I think this issue will be resolved at some point but will try taking marriage and birth certificates and see how it goes.

To Lemon TT I did contact my CCG and they said change the passport. I told them the cost would be extortionate, its not a UK passport. I sent them information on GP practices already changing peoples Covid pass names and they said thank you , very helpful, we will discuss the matter further. Wonder if they will lol.

Just a final message to anyone picking up this post. Having just been on a trip i am more aware that that many Women have retained their maiden name on their passport whilst their Covid pass is in their married name. The retention for many seems to be a mater of personal choice.

I am pleased to report that our Surgery have changed the name on the Covid pass to my Wifes maiden name. She can now travel and wont be refused boarding because of a mismatch of information. What a relief.