September 5, 2025, 9:22 am | Read time: 4 minutes
You’re getting married, want to take your partner’s name, and plan to head straight to your honeymoon? Besides the many delightful travel planning details, you might also face this question: Should the honeymoon be booked under the new or old name? TRAVELBOOK has the answers.
If you Google the question “Book honeymoon with new or old name?” you’ll find various answers. While Google’s AI feature contradicts itself, some travel providers and blogs take a relaxed view, suggesting you can still travel under your old name. The main thing is that the names on the flight ticket and passport match. And that makes sense, especially since you’ll have to wait for a new passport anyway. However, it’s not quite that simple.
Overview
What the Authorities Say
Looking at the official authorities, the answer is different. TRAVELBOOK inquired with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which referred to an FAQ from the Foreign Office. It agrees that in all cases, it is crucial “that the name appearing on your flight ticket matches the name appearing on your passport.” However, the Foreign Office also emphasizes: “By declaring a new family name, the previous family name changes with immediate effect.” The Federal Ministry of the Interior adds on its website: “After a name change, your passport is invalid.” Accordingly, anyone who has changed their name, such as through marriage, must immediately apply for a new passport. This applies to both the ID card and the passport.
Incidentally, according to bussgeldkatalog.org, you may even face a fine of up to 3,000 euros if you do not promptly change your ID card after the wedding. However, the actual fines imposed are usually between 10 and 80 euros, as stated there.
New Passport for Honeymoon
It usually takes a while for a new passport to be ready. Six weeks is often a normal waiting time. So what to do if you want to fly to your honeymoon right after the wedding and need a passport for it? The authorities have also come up with a solution for this.
Temporary Passport
There is, for example, the option of obtaining a temporary passport, as the Foreign Office writes. However, what is not mentioned there is the following problem: Depending on the destination, a temporary passport may not always be sufficient or may lead to difficulties. For example, the U.S. only allows Germans with temporary passports to enter in conjunction with a visa (not ESTA!). The same applies to China. In other countries, the validity period may become an issue. Anyone opting for a honeymoon with a temporary passport should thoroughly research the regulations of their destination.
Also interesting: Which countries actually require a passport?
Express Passport
A second option is an express passport. With this option, you pay a little extra (32 euros), but you usually have it within a few days.
Apply for Passport in Advance
There is also a third option, especially for newlyweds with a new name: “If you need your new passport immediately after the wedding or the establishment of a civil partnership, for example, for the honeymoon abroad, you can apply for your passport with the new name before the big day,” writes the Interior Ministry. The Foreign Office adds that this special request must be arranged with the passport office responsible for your place of residence, but the passport can be applied for several weeks before the wedding.
According to the Interior Ministry, the issue date will then be the day of the wedding or the establishment of the civil partnership. From this day on, you can pick up the new passport with the new name. To obtain it, you must present proof of the new marriage or civil partnership at the passport office, such as the marriage certificate. Additionally, the authority requires either a valid ID card with the new name, if available, or the birth certificate. If you apply for the new passport only after the wedding, you must also present the marriage certificate to prove the name change.
Also interesting: The best honeymoon destinations
Long story short: No one may ask if you booked a honeymoon with the old name, as long as the name on the passport and flight ticket match. However, your original ID document is no longer valid after a name change. Therefore, it’s best to take care of a new passport early and book your honeymoon under the now shared family name.