Name on your boarding pass doesn’t match your ID: what are your options?
TSA rules, what's fixable, and what happens if you show up with a name mismatch. Don't risk problems at the airport.
It’s one of the most stressful situations at the airport: your boarding pass name doesn’t exactly match your ID. Here’s what you need to know.
The TSA rule
The name in your reservation, which appears on your boarding pass, needs to match your government-issued ID. That means:
- First name and last name
- Spelling (no nicknames)
Minor differences, such as a missing middle name or initial, or a suffix (Jr., Sr., III) on one document but not the other, generally do not cause problems at security.
What’s usually fixable
Airlines will typically correct these issues:
- Typographical errors: obviously wrong spellings
- Missing middle name: if your ID has it but the booking doesn’t
- Hyphenated names: variations in how they’re entered
- Legal name changes: with proper documentation
What’s not fixable
- Completely different name (booking under someone else’s name)
- Name changes that don’t match your ID documentation
- Bookings made with a nickname that differs significantly
Warning: Don’t just hope it won’t matter. A name that clearly doesn’t match your ID can stop you at the security checkpoint or at the gate.
What to do right now
- Call the airline immediately. Don’t wait until you get to the airport
- Have your confirmation number and ID ready
- Ask specifically what documentation they need
- Get confirmation in writing (email) of the correction
The bottom line
Name corrections are usually straightforward, but only if you catch them early. The closer you get to your flight, the harder it can be to get help. If you’re having trouble, a travel assistance service can often help you through the process. See our name correction guide.