Traveling from the US to Russia with two different last names

[beenthere123 0]

Hi!

I became a US citizen back in 2011. After I got married I took my wife's last name. The name was officially changed and I got a new US citizenship certificate with my new last name in it.

I am planning to go over to Russia. I have my Russian travel passport still with my old last name. My US passport has my new last name.

I know people travel on two passports (their native passport and US passport) in and out of the US. But will it work if my passports have two different last names? Can I still travel in and out of the US on the two passports? Or should I get a Russian visa and just travel on my US passport?

Thank you, Andrey.

[travelfairy 22]

I know a lot of people with dual citizenship, and they always enter their country of citizenship on that particular passport. For example, dual Australians/Americans enter Australia on their Australian passport and the US on their US passport. I haven't known a country to ask for multiple forms of identification from its citizens when they are re-entering the country, just the passport is enough, however I have never travelled to Russia so wouldn't know.

Personally, I'd enter Russia on my Russian passport and the US on my US passport.

If you're a Russian citizen, there is no reason why you can't use your passport for entry. The you can produce your US passport to get back into the States. I would suggest that you update your Russian passport to your new name though, just to avoid future hassle.