Peter Greenberg: Driver's License for passport
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2008-04-11
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I understand that a driver’s license is required along with the U.S. passport. Is this true? My passport has my maiden name, and my driver’s license still has my married last name. I was divorced last year, and I still haven't changed it. Will this pose a problem?
-Mary Jane, Riverdale, N.Y.
Sounds like someone's been feeding you bad information, Mary Jane. You don't need a driver's license to travel if you have a passport. And since your passport has what is now your correct name, you should be fine. Just take your passport whenever you're traveling, and they won't even ask for a second form of ID. The point, Mary Jane, is that as long as your passport name matches the name on your ticket—and your passport is still valid—you should be fine for international travel. If your passport name does not match the ticket, you will need to apply for a new passport. And remember, if your passport will expire within six months of your travel dates, you should get a new one anyway, under your most recent name. Some countries will not accept you if your passport has less than six months of validity.
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