Are you a married woman planning to travel to the United States? You’ll need to obtain anESTA before you leave. This travel authorization document is obtained by filling in an online form: the ESTA. It applies only to admission to the USA by air or sea. Various information is required to complete the ESTA form, including your nationality, address and first names. You’ll also be asked for information about your valid passport, such as your passport number. What about your name? Married name or maiden name?
Identification on your ESTA application
To better understand how to fill in the form for your ESTA application, you need to understand that all your travel documents must show the same identity. This means that both your passport and your plane ticket must mention the same name. This is the name you indicated when filling in your ESTA form online. The American authorities in charge of processing your application have the right to refuse you ESTA authorization if there is a discrepancy between your passport and your ESTA. This is because the name on your application is not the same as the name on your passport. In the same way, you may be refused boarding of your plane or boat to the USA. All because your tickets do not show the name on your ESTA authorization.
Remember to have your valid biometric or electronic passport with you when you apply. You’ll need it to apply for ESTA and travel to the USA. If you’ve lost your valid passport, or if it’s expired, you’ll need to apply for a new one.
Do I have to indicate my maiden or married name on the ESTA application?
It’s best to check the name on your passport. If this is your maiden name, you should use only that name. Both to register your travel tickets and to apply for ESTA. If your passport shows both your married nameand your maiden name, don’t use both on your ESTA. You’ll simply need to indicate one or the other. Make sure the same name appears on your travel documents and ESTA application.
The aim is to enable immigration authorities to identify you simply by reading your passport and airline ticket. This allows them to know whether it was you who applied for ESTA and received it. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to print out your ESTA authorization, as the electronic file will be automatically attached to your passport.
Filling out ESTA USA, a security obligation
Before being a travel authorization similar to the B visa, the ESTA authorization is first and foremost a security measure designed to limit the risks associated with admission to the USA without a visa. By answering the questions on the form, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will determine whether the person is eligible to travel to the USA. ESTA requirements are identical to those for B-1 or B-2 visa applicants.
When you fill in the ESTA USA form, DHS officials will be able to judge whether you pose a threat to the health and safety of the American public. This is why you must answer the questions on the form relating to your legal and medical history.
Foreign nationals can obtain their visa waiver via the official U.S. government website, or via a private website. There is no need to go to an American embassy or consulate. The online form takes around 20 minutes to complete. The ESTA is only available for transit or temporary stays (tourist or business travel) of less than 90 days.
