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title: Does your airline ticket have to match your passport exactly middle name?

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# Does your airline ticket have to match your passport exactly middle name?

EVA Airlines allows minor name corrections +1‑888‑415-1051 for free, like fixing typos or adding middle names. Major name changes require documentation and must be handled through customer service or travel agents.

Here’s an in-depth, approx. 900‑word guide on **changing or correcting a passenger name with EVA Air Lines**, covering official policies, best practices, step-by-step procedures, fees, and expert tips.

## 1. Why It’s Important 🛂

Airline and TSA rules mandate that the name on your ticket must **exactly** match your government-issued ID. Even small discrepancies—like missing a middle name or a typo—can result in denied boarding. EVA, like all carriers, enforces this strictly and treats tickets as **non‑transferable** ([EVA.com][1], [cntraveler.com][2]).


## 2. Minor Name Corrections: What You Can Fix

EVA allows **one free "minor correction"** per ticket. You can correct:

1. **First or Middle Name**: Fix spelling or include/exclude middle name/initial.
2. **Last Name (up to 3 letters)**: Correct small typos—e.g., “SMITH” → “SMYTH.”
3. **Add a Second Last Name**: e.g., “SMITH” → “SMITHANDERSON.”
4. **Swap First & Last**: If names were entered backwards.

**Rules to follow**:

* Applies only to EVA-operated flights on EVA ticket stock (006).
* Only **one reissue allowed**—no more name changes on that ticket ([pro.EVA.com][3]).
* Booking must remain identical—no itinerary, date, or flight changes.
* An **OSI field** must be added to note the correction.
* No fee or waiver code needed.

### How Agents Do It

* Update the PNR name.
* Add an OSI remark (e.g., “OSI DL NAME CORRECTION TO FIRST/MIDDLE NAME ONLY”).
* Reissue ticket as an even exchange via GDS—no extra fare/charge ([pro.EVA.com][3]).


## 3. When You Can't Do It Yourself

Contact EVA Reservations or Global Sales Support if:

* Flights involve a **partner airline** (Air France, KLM, Korean Air, etc.);
* **First correction already used** and another adjustment required;
* **Travel to/from India or China**, where stricter rules apply;
* **Last name needs more than 3 letters fixed**;
* First & last name swap involves a middle name or initial ([pro.EVA.com][3], [EVA.com][4]).

In these cases, minor self-service correction is blocked and must be escalated.


## 4. Major Name Changes: What You Can’t Do

If you need to change the name entirely—for instance, due to marriage, divorce, or gifting the ticket to someone else—you **cannot** modify the existing PNR. Instead:

* A name mismatch due to marriage/divorce needs **legal documentation** (marriage license, court order).
* EVA policy prohibits full name transfers—**tickets are non‑transferable** ([EVA.com][1], [cntraveler.com][2], [EVA.com][5]).
* The only “option” is to **cancel** (if eligible) and book a new ticket under the correct name or change via reservations/global support.


## 5. Process: Step by Step

### A) Before Ticketing (Booking Stage)

1. **Double-check your spelling** when entering traveler names.
2. If using SkyMiles, ensure your “Secure Flight” name matches your TSA name—EVA allows a one-time online sync ([EVA.com][6]).

### B) After Booking, Before Flying

**Minor corrections** (1st/middle or ≤3-letter last name):

* Call EVA or use your travel agent.
* They’ll update the PNR, insert the correct OSI, reissue ticket free.
* Keep documentation if required (e.g., for merging surnames).

**Major corrections**:

* For full name changes, call EVA.
* Expect one of:

  * Cancel under 24‑hour risk-free window and rebook correctly.
  * Cancel and receive **ecredit** or refund (depending on fare rules) then rebook ([EVA.com][7], [pro.EVA.com][3]).
  * Provide legal proof (marriage/divorce docs) to support your new name—but full change policy may still not allow modification on the same ticket.

### C) At the Airport

* Confirm boarding pass reflects the corrected name.
* Provide original ID and any supporting documents if name changed via marriage/divorce.
* Airport staff can also make emergency fixes for minor typos.


## 6. Fees & Ticket Reissue Rules

* **Minor corrections**: FREE; must include OSI and reissue ticket (an “even exchange”) once ([cntraveler.com][2], [pro.EVA.com][3]).
* **Major changes**:

  * If within **24 hours of purchase**, you can cancel for free and rebook correctly.
  * Otherwise, fares may be non-refundable; you may receive an **eCredit minus cancellation fee** ([EVA.com][7]).
  * Change fees apply to flights and may be up to \$400 for Classic fares, but EVA has mostly eliminated change fees for flights originating in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean—except Basic Economy ([EVA.com][8]).


## 7. Name Changes in Your SkyMiles Account

To update your name in your **SkyMiles profile**, as opposed to your flight reservation:

* **Middle-name/initial** edits can be done online with no documentation ([EVA.com][9]).
* **Legal name changes** (e.g., after marriage/divorce), require:

  * Uploading court or ID documentation via the **Identity Verification Form** or mail ([EVA.com][9]).
* SkyMiles name must match your passport/ID for award travel and to earn credit.


## 8. Tips & Best Practices

* **Review immediately**: Check booking confirmation right away for typos—smaller mistakes are easy to fix.
* **Use full legal name**: Avoid initials; TSA requires full names ([EVA.com][6], [cntraveler.com][2]).
* **Use the 24‑hour rule**: If booked recently, cancel and rebook correctly rather than paying for changes.
* **Document everything**: Even minor corrections should have OSI remark—for backend audit and security.
* **Keep proof for major changes**: Marriage certificates, court orders may help at customer service.
* **Avoid partner flights**: Name corrections work only on EVA‑operated flights; codeshares need extra handling.
* **Agent vs. self‑service**: Online corrections are limited; always call EVA or your agent for anything more than basic fixes.


## 9. Common Scenarios & Examples

| Scenario                               | Allowed?                     | What to Do                                               |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| “SMITH” → “SMYTH” (2 letters diff.)    | ✅ Minor last-name correction | Agent adds OSI, reissues free.                           |
| Add middle name “Johnathon”            | ✅ Minor correction           | Agent updates name field, adds OSI.                      |
| Forgot middle name initially           | ✅ Minor correction           | Same procedure.                                          |
| “Doe/John” inverted as “John/Doe”      | ✅ Minor swap for first/last  | Agent adds OSI, reissues.                                |
| Recently married (name→ Doe‑Smith)     | ❌ Major change               | Provide marriage cert, call EVA; may cancel or rebook. |
| Ticket to India needing name edit      | ❌ Not self-service           | Call EVA Global Support.                               |
| More than 3-letter change on last name | ❌ Not allowed                | Must call EVA Global Support.                          |


## 10. Bottom Line Summary

* **Minor fixes** are free and easy—name spellings, initials, small typo corrections. Must reissue ticket with OSI.
* **Major name changes** require documentation and EVA agent involvement; often involve rebooking or cancellation.
* **SkyMiles profile name edits** follow a similar distinction: middle name easy; full legal change requires documentation.
* **Proactive:** Check your name right after booking to avoid travel-day hassles.


### Final Take

Changing your name on a EVA flight is doable—**if it’s a minor correction**. Anything beyond that, and you're looking at contacting EVA, providing legal proof, or even rebooking. The key is to act quickly, document carefully, and follow airline guidelines closely to avoid travel disruption.

If you're preparing a flight under a new legal name (e.g., married/divorced), take those court documents and notify EVA well in advance. For a simple typo? A quick agent edit with an OSI note will save your trip!