United Airlines Name Change Policy
To comply with TSA regulations, the name on your boarding pass must exactly match the name on your government-issued ID. United Airlines’ name change policy ensures that your ticket reflects the correct name, as failure to do so may result in being denied boarding.
Overview of United Airlines Name Change Policy
United Airlines permits name changes on tickets for both domestic and international flights under certain conditions:
- Permissible Name Changes:
- Corrections to the spelling of your first or last name, prefix/title, nickname, or middle name.
- Legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or court orders. These changes apply only if the ticket is for the passenger whose name it was issued in.
- Simple Name Changes:
- These include correcting typos, name spelling, or minor errors. They can be requested by phone or at a ticketing office with valid ID proof.
- Legal Name Changes:
- Must be supported by proper documentation and can only be processed at a United Airlines ticketing office.
- MileagePlus Members:
- Simple Name Changes: Can be made online through the MileagePlus account profile without documentation. This includes spelling corrections, nickname changes, title adjustments, or correcting inverted names.
- Significant Name Changes: Can be updated online with documentation such as marriage certificates or government-issued IDs. If you lack these documents, you must mail a notarized Name Affidavit to Our Address.
How to Change Your Name on a United Airlines Ticket
- For Non-MileagePlus Members:
- Simple Name Changes: Can be made by phone, at a ticketing office, or through the ticket-issuing authority. This includes spelling corrections, nickname changes, title adjustments, and correcting inverted names.
- Significant Name Changes: Requires proper legal documentation and must be handled at a United Airlines ticketing office, possibly involving a fee.
- For MileagePlus Members:
- Simple Name Changes: Can be processed online through your MileagePlus profile.
- Significant Name Changes: Must be submitted online with the necessary documentation or by mailing a notarized Name Affidavit.
Name Correction Process
United Airlines allows for name corrections on tickets. Simple corrections, such as typos, can be handled by phone or at a ticketing office with valid ID proof. For significant name changes, documentation is required and must be processed at a ticketing office.
Ensure that the name on your ticket matches your government-issued ID exactly to avoid issues with boarding.
United Airlines Name Correction and Change Policy
United Airlines allows for simple name corrections on tickets by phone or at a ticketing office, provided you can support the correction with a government-issued ID if requested. Simple name corrections may include fixing misspelled names (first, last, or middle), adjusting titles or prefixes, and correcting inverted first and last names.
However, if the name on your ticket differs significantly from your legal name due to events such as marriage or divorce, you must present valid documentation (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree) to facilitate the correction.
Name Change Due to Marriage, Divorce, etc.
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or adoption, you need to update your ticket with United Airlines before your flight. Ideally, notify United as soon as you notice the discrepancy. If you discover the error on the day of travel, bring your legal documentation to United’s airport ticket counter for review.
According to the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Fly-Rights page:
If you have legal documentation showing your new name, it can prove to authorities that your government-issued ID matches the name on your ticket, even if the ID itself has not been updated.
If your physical ID does not match the name on your ticket or boarding pass, you must correct it immediately by contacting United Airlines. Simple corrections that do not require reissuing the ticket may be processed without a fee. However, significant changes requiring a ticket reissue may incur a fee or fare difference, depending on your fare type.
Name Change Fees
- Simple Name Corrections: Generally, no fee is charged for simple corrections such as typos.
- Legal Name Changes: If a legal name change necessitates reissuing your ticket, you may incur a charge for the fare difference between the old and new ticket prices.
MileagePlus Members
Under TSA guidelines, the name on your ticket and boarding pass must exactly match the name on your government-issued ID. If there is a discrepancy, United Airlines can deny boarding. Notify United Airlines immediately if you discover an error, even if it seems late.
- Simple Name Changes: MileagePlus members can correct minor errors online through their MileagePlus account profile without supporting documentation.
- Significant Name Changes: For major changes, members must upload supporting documentation or mail a notarized Name Affidavit if they cannot provide the required documents.
United Airlines Name Change Policy
United Airlines permits name changes on tickets and divides them into two categories: simple and significant.
Simple Name Changes:
You can make these changes to your MileagePlus account without supporting documentation:
- Minor spelling corrections to your first name (e.g., Jane to Janet).
- Minor spelling corrections to your last name (e.g., Phillips to Philips).
- Corrections to titles or prefixes (e.g., Miss to Ms. or Dr.).
- Corrections of inverted first and last names (e.g., Philips Janet to Janet Philips).
- Changing a nickname to a real name or vice versa (e.g., Elizabeth to Liz).
- Addition or deletion of a middle name (e.g., Janet Richard Philips to Janet R. Philips).
Significant Name Changes:
These require proper legal documentation:
- Name changes due to divorce must be supported by a divorce decree.
- Name changes after marriage require a marriage license.
- Other legal name changes must be supported by a legal name change document.
- Government-issued ID reflecting both former and current names.
If you cannot provide the required documents, you may use the Alternate Name Affidavit option. This involves submitting a notarized affidavit stating your name change along with a copy of your government-issued ID.
To request a name change via the Alternate Name Affidavit, mail the notarized document to:
Our Address
How to Request a Name Change:
- For Simple Name Changes:
- Online through your MileagePlus account profile.
- By phone through United Airlines Customer Care Center.
- For Significant Name Changes:
- Upload supporting documentation to your MileagePlus account.
- Mail your Name Affidavit as outlined above.
Allow up to 2 weeks for processing significant name corrections. In some cases, you may need to provide legal documentation even for simple corrections, such as military titles, nicknames, hyphenated names, or variations.
United Name Change Tips:
- Utilize the 24-Hour Window: You can correct errors free of charge within 24 hours of booking, regardless of whether it’s a minor typo or a major change.
- Ensure Accurate Information: When booking, use your full name (first, middle, and last) to match your government-issued ID.
- Update MileagePlus Account: Set up and maintain your MileagePlus account with accurate passenger information to automatically update reservations when you book.
- Verify Profile Information: If you already have a MileagePlus account, ensure your profile information is current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on a United Airlines ticket online?
No, United Airlines does not allow online name changes. You must contact Customer Service by phone or visit a ticketing office.
How to change a name on a United flight?
Simple name changes can be done by phone through Customer Service. Significant or legal changes require contacting Customer Service with supporting documents. MileagePlus members can update their profiles online and upload necessary documentation.
What is United Airlines’ name correction policy?
You can correct names within 24 hours of booking without fees for flights departing at least 7 days later. Corrections made after the 24-hour window may incur a fee unless they involve simple spelling or typographical errors, which are typically free.
