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Passports/Visas & Name Changes
I know this gets asked all the time, but I never really paid attention. 
To be fair, I wasn't really planning on changing my name anytime soon. Last time I changed my name, it was back when they just stamped the amendment in the back of your passport! Clearly I could use some more timely advice.
Question #1:
If you have a visa in your previous name, can you continue to use it as long as you carry your old passport along with your new one? I'm sure this varies by country, but I don't really like the idea of chasing embassies to get them all reissued in the new passport. If you have any experience with the following, I still have multiple years left for: India, Brazil, Norway, Argentina (reciprocity fee).
Question #2:
I'm sure this one is covered in all the just-married posts, but I feel a little too jaded to go look for one of them. For the tickets I already have booked later in the year, if I decide to change my name before then, can I use the old invalid passport as my ID to check in for the flight? Of course I'd give passport control the new valid one. I don't think there will ever be a point when I don't any future ticket booked, and I'm pretty sure the name change will end up being a spur of the moment rip-off-the-band-aid kind of event.
Question #3:
Any good suggestions for a last name that starts with G? I'd like to keep my maiden initials, but I've never been in love with my maiden name. Now it's even worse, because it's such an Americanized version of a German name that it confuses everyone I try to say it to. And the German name it's based on is rather uncommon but very well-known across Europe because there's an incredibly obnoxious TV star with that name. I figure if I'm changing it anyway, maybe I can just pick something I like.
Re: Passports/Visas & Name Changes
The only question I can answer is 2.
Name on ticket and VALD Id MUST match.
Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008
Ugh. This is going to be a scheduling nightmare, because the local embassy doesn't offer expedited passport applications. And most of the time you have to request an appointment a month in advance as well. I hate the Oslo embassy. Worst customer service ever!
My first Indian visa had my maiden name attached to it. Once I got married and did a name change, I just took along my old passport (and visa) when I came to India again. I then applied for a long-term visa using my married name when the time came. They're not so strict here as long as you have your old passport handy (where the name matches the valid visa).
a girl from Hawaii, living the expat experience in India.
Best. Siggy. Countdown. Ever.
I *think* you can legally change your name and travel on a passport in your previous name. I don't have personal experience with this, but I feel like I've seen posts of people saying they still traveled on a passport in their maiden name until it expired and just booked the tickets in that name.
As far as the visas go, I'd just call or email the various embassies.
No suggestions for your new name, sorry
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I'm sure you would get it back. You definitely get the old one back when you renew it (because of the visas), so surely they would give it back after the name change. You could always attach a note requesting that they send it back, since it still has valid visas.
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