Have you recently booked a flight with Delta Airlines and noticed that your name is misspelled? Or have you legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order and need to update it on your reservation? If so, you're likely asking the important question: How to Change Your Name on Delta Airlines?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through Delta’s name correction and name change policy, who qualifies, what documentation is needed, and step-by-step instructions on how to process a name correction or legal name update with Delta Airlines.
Why Name Accuracy Matters on Airline Tickets
Before exploring the steps involved in the name change process, it’s essential to understand why name accuracy is so important. According to TSA and international travel guidelines, the name on your airline ticket must exactly match the name on your government-issued photo ID (for domestic travel) or your passport (for international travel). Even a small typo, missing middle name, or spelling mistake can result in boarding issues, travel delays, or even denied entry at your destination.
That’s why it’s crucial to review your flight information carefully and take immediate action if you notice any discrepancies.
Understanding Delta Airlines' Name Change Policy
Delta Airlines classifies name changes into two categories:
1. Name Corrections
These involve minor adjustments to your name on the reservation. Examples include:
- Fixing typos or spelling mistakes
- Adding a missing letter or switching two letters
- Including a missing middle name or initial
- Correcting legal name formatting (e.g., removing extra spaces or hyphens)
2. Legal Name Changes
These are name changes due to:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Court orders
- Gender reassignment or legal documentation changes
While Delta allows both corrections and legal name changes, the policy strictly prohibits transferring a ticket to another person. The name on the ticket must always belong to the original passenger. Delta does not permit you to change the passenger’s identity completely.
Common Reasons People Ask: How to Change Your Name on Delta Airlines?
There are several situations where customers may need to change their name on a Delta reservation, including:
- A typo was made during the booking process
- The legal name has changed recently
- The ticket was booked using a maiden name but your passport has your married name
- Middle names or initials were accidentally omitted
- Your identification details have changed after booking
Fortunately, Delta provides a straightforward process to resolve most of these issues, especially if action is taken early.
How to Change Your Name on Delta Airlines – Step-by-Step Process
Depending on whether you're making a minor correction or a full legal name change, there are different ways to proceed. Here’s how to handle each case:
For Minor Name Corrections
Minor errors like misspellings or missing characters are the easiest to correct.
Steps:
- Log in to your Delta account on delta.com or open the Delta mobile app.
- Navigate to the “My Trips” section.
- Enter your confirmation number and last name if you're not signed in.
- Review your booking to check if self-service name correction is available.
- If the online system doesn’t allow the correction, call Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212.
Important Notes:
- You must be the original passenger.
- Delta allows only one correction per ticket in most cases.
- The correction must not alter the traveler’s identity.
Fees:
Minor corrections are typically free, especially if made within 24 hours of booking. After that, some changes may incur a fee depending on fare rules and ticket type.
For Legal Name Changes
Legal name changes require more formal documentation and direct assistance from Delta.
Steps:
- Call Delta Reservations or contact them via their official support channels.
- Provide your confirmation number and request a legal name change.
- Submit supporting legal documents as requested.
- Delta may ask you to email scanned copies of:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court-issued name change document
- Updated passport or government-issued ID
- Wait for Delta to process the request and issue a re-ticket with the updated name.
Processing Time:
- Usually takes 24–72 hours depending on complexity and documentation.
Fees:
- Reissue fees may apply based on your fare class and route.
- Legal name changes are generally less costly than buying a new ticket, especially for international flights.
What Documents Are Required?
Depending on your situation, you may need to provide one or more of the following:
- Passport
- Government-issued photo ID
- Marriage license or certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court order (for legal name change)
- Booking confirmation details
Always have clear, legible digital copies ready to avoid delays.
Can You Transfer a Delta Ticket to Someone Else?
No. Delta’s policy clearly states that tickets are non-transferable. This means you cannot simply change the name on a ticket to give it to a different person. The only accepted changes are those where the passenger remains the same, and only the name is being corrected due to errors or legal updates.
What if You Booked Through a Third-Party Website?
If you didn’t book directly through Delta (e.g., used Expedia, Priceline, or a travel agency), your first step is to contact the booking platform. Many third-party vendors have their own policies and may require you to work through them to initiate the name change. Delta may not be able to make changes directly unless the ticket is reissued through the original booking channel.
Name Change Deadlines: When Should You Act?
To avoid travel disruptions:
- Make changes as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of booking.
- For international flights, try to make changes at least 72 hours before departure.
- For domestic flights, 48 hours in advance is recommended.
- Last-minute changes may not be possible, especially after check-in has started.
Final Thoughts: How to Change Your Name on Delta Airlines?
If you’re wondering How to Change Your Name on Delta Airlines?, the good news is that the process is manageable — especially if you act quickly and have your documents in order. Delta understands that name errors happen, and they’ve designed a policy to help travelers correct or update their names without unnecessary stress.
Just remember:
- Minor errors can often be fixed online or over the phone.
- Legal name changes require documentation.
- Always double-check your ticket after booking.
- Never wait until the last minute to resolve name issues.
Taking early action can save you time, money, and hassle at the airport. Whether you need to correct a simple typo or legally update your name, Delta Airlines has a system in place to help.
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