---
title: "Travel Document Checker: Passport Names | FlightLogic"
description: "Check your next steps for passport names, ticket mismatches, marriage, replacement passports and entry rules. Free guidance with official UK sources."
url: https://flightlogic.co.uk/travel-document-checker/
source: FlightLogic (flightlogic.co.uk)
licence: "Content © Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd. Cite the URL above and the page author."
---

Before you book

# Travel document checker

Resolve the document question before it becomes an airport problem.

What should I check before booking with a new passport name?

Match travel bookings to the valid passport you will use. If a ticket, passport or visa differs, check the airline and issuing authority before travel. This free checker gives practical next steps for name changes, document mismatches and passport validity, with official sources.

No names, passport numbers or document uploads. Your selection is processed in this page.

### Check the official instructions

### Browse all guidance without using the checker

### Contact the airline or booking agent before check-in

- Use the exact name shown on the valid passport you intend to carry. Ask whether this is a spelling correction, legal name change or passenger replacement; fees and evidence differ.
- If an agent issued the ticket, ask who must make the correction. Get the updated itinerary in writing and check all flight segments.
- A marriage certificate or deed poll does not amend a reservation. Do not assume staff can resolve a mismatch at the airport.

[HMPO: passport and travel-booking names](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/name-marriage-and-civil-partnership)

### Plan travel around the valid passport you will use

- For travel using your valid old-name passport, book in that passport name and check visas or authorisations against it.
- If you choose to replace the passport after marriage or civil partnership, check the certificate route first. Buying a deed poll is not automatically necessary.
- A post-dated passport issued before the ceremony cannot be used before the ceremony. Your old passport is cancelled; check visa implications before arranging travel.

[HMPO: marriage and civil partnership](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/name-marriage-and-civil-partnership)

### Check the evidence route before purchasing a document

- HMPO has different routes for marriage, divorce and other name changes. Use the route matching your circumstances.
- For other changes, HMPO lists a deed poll, statutory declaration or affidavit, together with previous name-change evidence and evidence of using the new name.
- Free deed-poll wording is available from GOV.UK. A purchased PDF is optional preparation; it must be completed and signed correctly and does not guarantee passport acceptance or speed.
- Plan visas and international bookings around the passport you will actually use, including its new number after replacement.

[HMPO: changing passport details](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information) · [HMPO: other name-change evidence](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/names-dont-match-official-documents) · [GOV.UK: free unenrolled deed poll wording](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-unenrolled-deed-poll)

### Recheck each visa and authorisation with its issuer

- A replacement passport has new document details. Do not assume a visa, ESTA, ETA or other authorisation automatically transfers.
- Ask the issuing authority whether the existing permission remains usable with the old and new passport, needs updating or requires a new application.
- Update the airline’s passport details and verify that booking names, nationality and documents meet the rules for each destination and transit stop.

[FCDO: destination entry requirements](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) · [HMPO: changes to passport details](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information)

### Check country-specific rules, including transit

- Use official entry advice for your nationality, passport type, purpose and length of stay. FCDO destination pages primarily describe full British citizen passports.
- Check both issue and expiry dates. There is no universal six-month passport rule: short Schengen visits on a British citizen passport generally require issue less than ten years before entry and expiry at least three months after planned departure.
- Check visas, residence evidence, authorisations and airline documentation separately. This checker does not validate a passport or grant entry permission.

[FCDO: foreign travel advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) · [FCDO: Schengen passport rules (Spain)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements)

Sources checked 3 October 2026 . Confirm the current rules before paying for travel or documents.

Read the full [UK name-change booking guide](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/how-to-handle-flight-bookings-during-a-uk-name-change/), check [dual-national travel documents](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/uk-dual-nationality-passport-rules/), or make a [personal trip checklist](https://flightlogic.co.uk/trip-ready-mot/).