Passport renewals can be an arduous process, as well as an expensive one.
To renew a passport costs £72.50, which will create a 10-year passport.
Up to nine months from a previous passport will be added to the new one.
But what happens to your passport when you change your surname after marriage or divorce?
Changing name due to marriage
People may not realise that the passports with the holders maiden name on them are still eligible for travel.
What can cause problems is if this doesn’t match details when it comes to booking flights.
If using the new name for flights whilst the old one is on the passport, this will prohibit travel so they must both match.
Instead, a new passport can be applied for in the new name up to three months before marriage, which must be signed by the registrar or minister.
This can be done online or by getting a form from the local post office.
The old passport is then cancelled, with the new passport being “post-dated”, according to the gov.uk website.
This means that it can’t be used before the ceremony so enough warning should be given before any trips abroad.
Changing name due to divorce
In the case of divorce and changing the name, the passport holder may also need to send other documents.
These will include a marriage certificate, decree absolute or documents with both the old and new surname.
This can include payslips or letters from the council to prove this.
A statement must also be written confirming the name change is “for all purposes” meaning the married name will no longer be used for anything.
Britons may worry what will happen to their passport when the monarch changes.
This is because the current passport is signed with “Her Royal Majesty” and will need to change to “His Royal Majesty” after Prince Charles takes the throne upon Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Not unlike currency, it won’t affect travel documents and will simply be phased in over the years.
