Double-checking regarding air travel to Canada with different last names in the passport and on the GC

[True_South 10]

Hi all. I apologize in advance - I'm going to ask one of the traditional questions, but I just want to make sure nothing's changed since the last thread on this topic that I found.

 

I have a conditional GC on which my husband's last name is added to my maiden last name. It's supposed to be hyphenated but they forgot the hyphen and it's just two names. (I'll just have to try and have it fixed during ROC). My passport is still in my maiden last name. I have to go to Canada by air, and from what I understand, I have to book the tickets using the name in my passport. I also understand I will need to use that same name for the ETA since it's linked to the passport. Is that all correct?

 

I understand that ETA is electronic but am I still showing my GC to the Canadian immigration officer? Are they usually cool about differences in the last name, or do they just check the alien number that I submit when requesting ETA? Are they going to require anything in addition to my passport and my GC if I have that last name discrepancy?

 

I also understand that I can re-enter using just my GC - I'm just not sure if there's going to be an entry form to fill out on the plane, and if so, if it will ask about the name in my passport. I haven't left the US since changing my name, and this will be the first time I will be entering the US with my GC. The last time I entered was 6.5 years ago and obviously I'm used to filling out a form that's different from what the US citizens fill out. I guess my question is - if I have to fill out a form and if I have to put my passport name in it, how often does that represent a problem with the US Customs officers? From what I've read, it's rare to run into issues but people are also suggesting bringing a copy of marriage certificate and copies of submitted AOS forms. I can print them out, but which one would be best, i-485?

 

EDIT: Finally found a link to the customs declaration form. It obviously asks for my last name (which is missing a hyphen on my GC) and then for my passport number. What last name do I put in there? Maiden from the passport or whatever's on the GC? If they ask me to produce a driver's license, which has my correct last name with a hyphen, is that going to be too much of a mess for them?

Edited September 12, 2018 by True_South

[ElGuapo88 19]

Definitely book using the exact name that's on your passport.  I'm male so my experience is different, but having a copy of your marriage license with you is probably a good idea.  I'm from south america where it's common to have both maternal and paternal last names.  My passport has John Doe Smith on it (where Doe is my dad's last name and Smith is my mom's last name).  My green card only has John Doe on it.  I've re-entered the country 4 times since receiving my conditional GC last year and haven't had any issues at all.  Since the customs form is a US document, I would put what's on your green card and not your foreign passport.  If you are traveling with your spouse, just have him fill it out.  That's what I've done since only one is required per family.

[True_South 10]

On 9/14/2018 at 12:50 PM, ElGuapo88 said:

Since the customs form is a US document, I would put what's on your green card and not your foreign passport.

This is super helpful, thanks!