Upcoming Travel – Different Last Names on German & U.S. Passports

[JasVW19 19]

Hi all,
I’m about to become a dual citizen (German-American), and I could use some advice on an upcoming trip to Europe.

• My German passport has my maiden name.

• My U.S. passport will have my married name.

I’m wondering how best to navigate this when traveling, especially since the names don’t match. Specifically:

1. Which name should I use to book my flight?

2. How should I handle check-in, airport security, and customs?

3. When and how do I use each passport correctly?

4. Should I bring my marriage certificate to connect the names?

I just want to avoid any confusion or issues at the airport or border control. If anyone’s had experience with this or has tips, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

[wildbug100420 260]

7 minutes ago, JasVW19 said:

Hi all,
I’m about to become a dual citizen (German-American), and I could use some advice on an upcoming trip to Europe.

• My German passport has my maiden name.

• My U.S. passport will have my married name.

I’m wondering how best to navigate this when traveling, especially since the names don’t match. Specifically:

1. Which name should I use to book my flight?

2. How should I handle check-in, airport security, and customs?

3. When and how do I use each passport correctly?

4. Should I bring my marriage certificate to connect the names?

I just want to avoid any confusion or issues at the airport or border control. If anyone’s had experience with this or has tips, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

Book travel in passport name. You must use the US passport to enter and leave the country.  I would book in US passport name. Carry original proof of name change 

[Crazy Cat 43,803]

28 minutes ago, JasVW19 said:

Hi all,
I’m about to become a dual citizen (German-American), and I could use some advice on an upcoming trip to Europe.

• My German passport has my maiden name.

• My U.S. passport will have my married name.

I’m wondering how best to navigate this when traveling, especially since the names don’t match. Specifically:

1. Which name should I use to book my flight?

2. How should I handle check-in, airport security, and customs?

3. When and how do I use each passport correctly?

4. Should I bring my marriage certificate to connect the names?

I just want to avoid any confusion or issues at the airport or border control. If anyone’s had experience with this or has tips, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

Use US passport when leaving or entering US.  Use German passport when entering or leaving German customs/immigration.

[OldUser 9,204]

Consider updating German passport with married name. Otherwise advice above is good. Carrying certified copy of marriage certificate while names don't match can be helpful.

[Dashinka 25,549]

Relatively common, my wife does it all the time.  When she was on a GC, travel was booked using her Russian passport, and the GC was used for entering the US.  Now with a US passport, travel is booked with that name and she leaves and re-enters the US with that passport only using the Russian passport for entering and leaving Russia, and booking any domestic Russian flights.  She always keeps a copy of our marriage certificate with her, but in 10+ years, not a single person in any country has asked to see it.

 

I do agree with @OldUser, if you can change the name on the German passport relatively easily, I would do that.  In Russia it is a real pain as it involves needing a court document showing the name change (marriage certificates won't always work), then the national ID (domestic passport) has to be changed prior to changing the name on the external/international passport.  It takes on average many weeks for the change on the domestic passport and has to be done in country.  Add to that, many things such as property ownership, bank accounts, retirement, etc. are tied to the name on the domestic passport, and all those things have to be changed manually.  Gotta love bureaucracy. 

 

Good Luck!

[JasVW19 19]

4 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Relatively common, my wife does it all the time.  When she was on a GC, travel was booked using her Russian passport, and the GC was used for entering the US.  Now with a US passport, travel is booked with that name and she leaves and re-enters the US with that passport only using the Russian passport for entering and leaving Russia, and booking any domestic Russian flights.  She always keeps a copy of our marriage certificate with her, but in 10+ years, not a single person in any country has asked to see it.

 

I do agree with @OldUser, if you can change the name on the German passport relatively easily, I would do that.  In Russia it is a real pain as it involves needing a court document showing the name change (marriage certificates won't always work), then the national ID (domestic passport) has to be changed prior to changing the name on the external/international passport.  It takes on average many weeks for the change on the domestic passport and has to be done in country.  Add to that, many things such as property ownership, bank accounts, retirement, etc. are tied to the name on the domestic passport, and all those things have to be changed manually.  Gotta love bureaucracy. 

 

Good Luck!

 

Thank you for all the details! This is super helpful. 

[Caligirl1 220]

23 hours ago, JasVW19 said:

Hi all,
I’m about to become a dual citizen (German-American), and I could use some advice on an upcoming trip to Europe.

• My German passport has my maiden name.

• My U.S. passport will have my married name.

I’m wondering how best to navigate this when traveling, especially since the names don’t match. Specifically:

1. Which name should I use to book my flight?

2. How should I handle check-in, airport security, and customs?

3. When and how do I use each passport correctly?

4. Should I bring my marriage certificate to connect the names?

I just want to avoid any confusion or issues at the airport or border control. If anyone’s had experience with this or has tips, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

You need to book your ticket with your us passport and show the us passport at the airport and at customs in Germany-so,no need to worry about the maiden name in your German passport😉

[Crazy Cat 43,803]

9 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

and show the us passport at the airport and at customs in Germany-

I would not enter Germany as a US citizen.  I would enter as a German citizen using the German passport. 

@Dashinka

Edited May 6 by Crazy Cat

[Dashinka 25,549]

13 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

You need to book your ticket with your us passport and show the us passport at the airport and at customs in Germany-so,no need to worry about the maiden name in your German passport😉

So you don't enter Germany as a German citizen?  

[Caligirl1 220]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

So you don't enter Germany as a German citizen?  

No,I wouldn't. Why should I? Only advantage, if you might call it advantage, is: the line at customs for European passport holders might be shorter....🤷‍♀️ just my personal opinion 

[Crazy Cat 43,803]

12 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

Why should I?

For one thing, US citizens are limited in stay duration.  You would enter your home country as a visitor? 

Edited May 6 by Crazy Cat

[OldUser 9,204]

22 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

No,I wouldn't. Why should I? 

To avoid questioning at the border when entering Germany?

I'm not familiar with German laws, but most of countries require their citizens to enter on proper passport of their nationality, not foreign.

[Crazy Cat 43,803]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

but most of countries require their citizens to enter on proper passport of their nationality,

Good point.

[Caligirl1 220]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

To avoid questioning at the border when entering Germany?

I'm not familiar with German laws, but most of countries require their citizens to enter on proper passport of their nationality, not foreign.

Ok....well,it doesn't apply to me- unfortunately I got naturalized BEFORE Germany changed law last year- now you automatically keep your german citizenship. I lost mine automatically in 2023 bc I didn't meet the requirements for the so-called "Beibehaltung"🤷‍♀️

[Crazy Cat 43,803]

2 hours ago, Caligirl1 said:

I lost mine automatically in 2023 bc I didn't meet the requirements for the so-called "Beibehaltung"🤷‍♀️

The OP will be a dual citizen....different situation completely from you.  

Edited May 6 by Crazy Cat