Answered2 years ago
How can I resolve the issues with my Thai visa application due to discrepancies between my passport and bank account names?
Just in case anyone is interested. I have kept my maiden name as my passport name since I was issued a passport decades ago. I’ve never wanted to change it. 2 marriages down, I have a “married name” which is what I’ve had for past 20+ years for all my legal ID. Now I’m facing a problem with applying for a Thai visa-60 days, or retirement or anything other than 30 day exemption. For a long stay visa I have to submit a passport and bank statement which must be in the same name. My names don’t match; bank records, everything, is in my married name. I asked my bank if they can add my maiden name to my account but answer is no. Got the same answer at 2 different banks. Banker told me most likely the easier path is to change my passport name. Which isn’t easy. Now I’m thinking to apply for a 60 day METV outside Thailand, like Penang or KL?? As we know…visa agents can perform miracles. ?
Answer summary
A user is facing difficulties with a Thai visa application as their passport is in their maiden name while their bank account is in their married name. This discrepancy complicates their application for a long-stay visa. Suggestions from the community include getting a new passport reflecting their current legal name, opening a new bank account in their maiden name, or seeking assistance through influential contacts in Thailand. The community discusses the complexities of legal names related to marriage and the challenges of matching names across different documents, highlighting the importance of consistency in legal identifications for visa purposes.
63 repliesnewest first
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Dennis *********
Thinking that your passport in your maiden name, and not your legal name, is just plain invalid. The proper way to "fix" it would be to get a new passport, "sending in your old one, of course", they'll want a copy of your marriage license." They have, or had a rush service, however I recall lately it's not really that fast, however is the best solution. not sure why you said changing passport is not "easy". just because someone can sent in their old passport with old name with all the other necessary stuff, and get a new one, doesn't really mean that it's legally valid. they'd have no idea that you got married at some point in time, and changed your legal name. also if you are overseas 'not in us" traveling on your current passport, and ran into any legal issues, or stopped at a immigration checkpoint, you could find yourself in a whole world of problems.
Frances ********
OP@Dennis ********
that’s what I’m going to do. Not real easy but only because I have to secure a copy of marriage license. Not a big deal but has to be done. But that’s what I’m going to do.
Jeff ********
It's hard to want to be everything to everyone all the time isn't it?
Barbara ******
I'm somewhat reverse of you. I kept married name on passport for family name and bank account in pre marriage name. Recently gor retirement visa. I asked passport office (Ireland) to add my pre marriage name as an 'observation' so I now have both names recorded. I opened bank account in married name in Thailand and transferred funds from Irish bank account in pre marriage name. Now Passport, Thai bank and visa all in married name in Thailand
Andy *********
My wife is Vietnamese, Vietnamese passport. She is a US resident, with a green card. Her passport has her Vietnamese family name, green card her married name. We have OA visas, all info submitted for visas was her married family name. We had no problems with that for visas. Now airline's Canberra a different story
Marcin *******
@Frances *******
Don't you have a PDF editor for your bank statements ? P.S. I don't understand how bank cannot update/fix your name. If that's really the case then get a new bank and normalize your name across everywhere.
P.S.S. What does it even mean "passport name" and "married name". You should have only one legal name. I don't understand how Americans/westerners put random names on documents. e.g. Francois and Frank, Katherine and Kath.
The only exception is if you have a Thai and English name.
Yorgos **************
Go to your country or nearby country and come back as a tourist for 30 days and then apply for extra 30 days
Frances ********
OP@Yorgos *************
that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 20 some years. But Thai immigration told me to stop using tourist exemptions and extensions and told me to get a “proper visa”. To do that, I had to match my financial/legal name I’m using (married name) to my passport name (maiden name). Banks won’t/can’t add my maiden name to their records so it looks like I’ll have to change my passport name. It’s just ironic to do that, I have to show passport people my marriage license to support the name change. But I’ve been divorced for over 20 years. Oh well. It just seems ironic, but I’ll do that because I definitely want to return to Thailand with a proper visa.
Jeff *******
It's not difficult to get a new passport in any name you want. I'm pretty sure you can change it back to your maiden name but if you run into any difficulties with that, get a deed poll done, changing it back to your maiden name (can print one off in seconds yourself, don't pay anyone) and then apply for a new passport in that name (again easy to do yourself at the BKK embassy, again don't pay anyone). They will be absolutely fine with that. - Oh I changed my name at BKK bank with no problems at all - changing it on your driving license also easy.
Jeffrey *********
@Jeff ******
You're generally correct, except that deed polls aren't used in the US - they mainly exist in Commonwealth countries. But yes, the US will be fine with her using any name that reasonably describes her and that she uses habitually.Jeff *******
@Jeffrey ********
Fair enough but she didn't mention US
Bob ********
I am not from the USA, but lots of American friends use their "maiden" name as a middle name, perhaps see if you can include that in the bank account name. During Covid my wife who travels into Thailand on her Thai Passport, couldnt get permission to enter as her vaccination certificates were in my surname, so eventually she got in using her Aussie passport, but our American friend just got hand witten vaccination certificates and they filled in whatever name they liked. the problem is the Thai Public service is very strict, and given the current levels of enforcement, I suggest the easiest way is to get matching documents, My wife finished up changing her Thai passport to her Married name, along with her ID card and her Bank accounts, Perhaps rather than use an agent, do you know any "Influential" Thai persons. If so get all your documents together and take them with you and see the Branch manager. If that person can certify, you are the one and same, they may accept them as a guarentor
Frances ********
OP@Bob *******
that was exactly what I asked the banks to do. Both said no; not possible. 😨
Greta *****
Lesson learnt. Do NOT get married! It only complicates things! 😄
Greta *****
@Frances *******
I'd go with my advice. It's way better!Frances ********
OP@Greta ****
🤣🤣👌Frances ********
OP@Greta ****
or never ! change your name other than the one given to you at birth😅🙏👏Greta *****
@Frances *******
DM me. I'll explain 😊
Kool *******
You are aware you can only get the METV, multi-entry tourist visa in your home passport country aren't you. There are no exceptions to this, not even with a shady agent.
Frances ********
OP@Kool ******
no, wasn’t aware. I thought you could get that visa from whatever country you happened to be visiting. Well that shoots down applying in Penang.Kool *******
@Frances *******
you can get a single entry tourist visa, but not the multi-entry tourist visa, at other Thai embassies.John *******
Get a new passport under name change!
John **********
It's easy enough to change licence and bank accounts. I had to do the same.
Mark ******
Just open a new bank account in your maiden name, using your passport, then transfer all your money from the old account
Frances ********
OP@Mark *****
2 banks, CHASE & BoA said impossible….😨Mark ******
What a load of rubbish!! Why can't you open an account using your passport as identification???
Mark ******
@Ruth ******
As I've tried to explain (yes, as I would to a 5 year old), those US accounts needn't be the issue. She can open an account in Thailand and transfer the money into it. We are in a THAILAND advice group after all!Mark ******
@Ruth ******
You have obviously been going to the wrong banks or the wrong branches - I have opened 4 accounts at different Thai banks over the years, using only my passport. Remember, many countries don't have "State IDs" in addition to passports. You appear determined to make things much more difficult than they should be.Ruth *******
@Mark *****
and, btw, when I opened TWO banks accounts in Thailand, they insisted upon seeing both my passport and my state ID. Thank you for reminding me of one of the many potential issues she would have faced with the mismatched IDs. I had previously warned her that without straightening out her records, she could have unforeseen issues. I completely forgot about the Thai bank accounts. Thank you for unintentionally proving my point. 🤣🤣🤣Ruth *******
@Mark *****
I’m talking about her US accounts. What Thailand does is wholly irrelevant. 🤣🤣🤣At least Americans apparently have basic reading comprehension. Let me explain as if were 5 years old. Then, I’m finished. She has the help she needs, so this debate is unnecessary.
She outlined her situation regarding CURRENT bank accounts. THOSE accounts are the issue. They are in the U.S.. What Thailand will do does not matter. The current accounts are using her married name.
คุณเข้าใจไหมคะ?
Mark ******
@Ruth ******
Like far too many Americans, you seem to see everything from a very insular point of view. The whole world is not the USA. She can open a bank account in Thailand or elsewhere using her passport as identification, as many, many others have done.Ruth *******
@Mark *****
she stated that she changed the name associated with her SS#, which means, amongst other things, her taxes are filed under that name and her financials are under that name. That’s not an “automatic” name change due to marriage. One needs to make such changes. From what she has stated, she changed her name on most documents and in accounts and did not change her passport. Yes, a passport is SUPPOSED TO BE one’s legal name. That’s what I said. 🤣🤣🤣Mark ******
@Ruth ******
Whether a woman's "married name" is her legal name depends on the jurisdiction. Marriage does not automatically change a woman's legal name, and a passport can only be obtained in a person's "legal" name.Ruth *******
@Mark *****
her legal name is her married name. One cannot open an account with any name other than one’s legal name.Frances ********
OP@Mark *****
because it’s all linked to the name used on social security number.
Av **********
Sounds like it’s time to settle the past and change ur name
Andy **********
You have to go back to the Courts to get your name changed. You should have done it during your divorce, because ex parte, its more difficult. The process varies by State (as you are US). For California:
**********************************************
Jeffrey *********
@Andy *********
For passport purposes, the US does not require a separate legal name change procedure for applicants who get married or divorced. The marriage or divorce certificate on its own can be used as proof, and an applicant can use either the current or previous name as she wishes, if that's the one she uses in everyday life.Andy **********
Passport already in Maiden name. The bank won't let her change her account name.
Frances ********
OP@Andy *********
the banks would let me change my name as long as I have a legal document backing up my request, like a marriage or a legal, formal name change. I don’t have a legal procedure or document. I just have a matter of convenience to add or change my name to match my passport so I can obtain a visa to stay minimum 60 days or retire in Thailand. The bank said they completely understand why I am asking to open an account in the same name on my passport. But in today’s rules of banking, that’s not possible. Because the name on my passport is not my legal name used in everyday usual transactions. It’s much easier to change the name on my passport (said the bank manager) My thought then was to apply for the longer visa in the Thai consulate, say, in Malaysia, where perhaps a visa agent could help. But can’t do that either so I’m left with option to change my passport.Frances ********
OP@Andy *********
oh thank you! That sounds like best course. And my ex is a retired CA lawyer so ex parte won’t be too bad😅
Nigel **********
Open a different bank account in the name on your passport…
Frances ********
OP@Nigel *********
I tried. But everything is linked to social security number. Can’t have 2 different names linked to SSN. 😨
Henrik *****
Get a new passport, with your “official acknowledgede” name.
Never use agents, for things you easily can do and are supposed to do yourself easily.
It’s you life, take control of it.
Never use agents, for things you easily can do and are supposed to do yourself easily.
It’s you life, take control of it.
Bunny *****
@Henrik ****
taking control of it means hiring an agent if I want to instead of listening to other people's never. Then that isn't really taking control is it.Henrik *****
It is the obligation of the premisses where you are staying to always do a TM30 report when a foreigner stay in their hotel, house etc.
Failing to do so can lead to a hefty fine, if you tell the Immigration than you where refused to get the information you are entitled to get.
Don’t brag about being egotistic, and jump the queue.
At Patong you may get a paper like on the Photo, to give to the landlord where you stay, to provide you with the informations you need to pass on to the Immigration.
That will give the landlord, more work with giving several documents avaiable to you, than the TM30.
Failing to do so can lead to a hefty fine, if you tell the Immigration than you where refused to get the information you are entitled to get.
Don’t brag about being egotistic, and jump the queue.
At Patong you may get a paper like on the Photo, to give to the landlord where you stay, to provide you with the informations you need to pass on to the Immigration.
That will give the landlord, more work with giving several documents avaiable to you, than the TM30.
Frances ********
OP@Henrik ****
so you do understand that some Thai homeowner/landlords will not give a TM30? Some AirBnB hosts admit they won’t, right up front. So that being the case, you suggest I go to immigration, sit around for who knows how long, explain my case, get some paperwork to get filled out, then go get the extension? No thanks. For 1.900 Baht I’d gladly pay an agent’s salary; saving my time. Because it’s worth it to me. Up to me. 😅Henrik *****
Agents are waste of money and time, you have to deliver all the documents yourself, so save the money at deliver the documents yourself at the nearest Immigration office instead of the agents office.
Frances ********
OP@Henrik ****
not entirely true. I needed a TM30 from my accommodation in order to get a 30 day extension. I wasn’t given a TM30 and wasn’t going to get one from the jerk (obviously hiding his business/rent $). So an agent took care of that problem. And the line of people sitting in the immigration office, waiting their turn inside, and the line going outdoors, I felt a guilty pleasure of being escorted straight up to the front of the line and got my 30 day extension in minutes. So, in my case, the agent was well worth my money and time.Frances ********
OP@Henrik ****
then there’d be no fun being part of an “advice” platform on FB🤣Frances ********
OP@Henrik ****
getting a new passport in my “married” (current official) name is going to be interesting because I got divorced about 25 years ago🤣 Passport name change will ask for marriage license.
Wayne *********
@Frances *******
would not be hard as marriage certificate shows you legally changed your name. A divorce does not automatically change your name back to maiden name.Frances ********
OP@Ruth ******
🙏thank you you!Ruth *******
@Frances *******
my ex and I hyphenated (obviously not my fb name). We both chose to keep our names post-divorce due to our children. If you’re planning to move overseas, the best thing to do is to get all your documents in order before you leave. This might not be the only issue you might otherwise face. I was shocked at the number of last-minute things that came up and I didn’t even need to worry about a name change :-). Sounds like you’re making the best decision. Best of luck to you!Frances ********
OP@Jeffrey ********
I’m glad to hear that. After talking to the 2 banks here, and getting feedback back from you guys, I think the wisest thing would be to process my name change with my passport. I just was attached to my identity as my name given at birth and especially after a divorce I wanted to keep my married name just so my daughter & I had the same last name. 😊. But I'll change my passport because i do want to return to Thailand long term. I"ll have my old expired passports for my memories….Jeffrey *********
@Ruth ******
Her passport is not fraudulent at all. If she's American, the US State Dept has always accepted that people may use different names at different points in their lives, and specifically permits divorced citizens to continue using a married name in their passport after divorce if that is a name that they've habitually used for at least five years for other purposes.Ruth *******
Sounds like you have an improper passport, period. If your married name is what is linked to your SS#, then that’s your legal name. Your passport is currently basically fraudulent. You need to get it fixed or legally change your name back to your maiden then change all records.
Wayne *********
@Frances *******
lolFrances ********
OP@Wayne ********
I wish it had😅.
John *********
@Frances *******
I have been married for 48 years and have my license plus it should be recorded with the county clerkFrances ********
OP@John ********
yep. I should have.John *********
@Frances *******
did you change your name back to your maiden name? That would have been the wise move.Frances ********
OP@John ********
I have my marriage license from 1990. Would it matter the marriage was dissolved in 2000?Activity
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