Last Updated: December 26, 2025
π‘ About This Guide
This comprehensive guide is based on real experience helping travelers navigate United Airlines name change policies. Information verified current as of December 2025 with United Airlines customer service.
Need to change name on United Airlines ticket? Whether you misspelled your name, got married, or need to correct a typo, this complete guide explains United Airlines name change policy, fees, requirements, and step-by-step instructions to fix your ticket before your flight.
1-800-864-8331
United Airlines allows passengers to change name on ticket for minor corrections and legal name changes. According to United Airlines change name policy, you can correct spelling errors, add or remove middle names, change from nickname to legal name, or update your name due to marriage or divorce. However, United Airlines does not allow complete ticket transfers to another person.
Minor Name Corrections (Usually Free):
Spelling errors in first name or last name (up to 3 characters)
Typos like "Jhon" to "John" or "Smtih" to "Smith"
Adding or removing middle name or middle initial
Changing from nickname to legal name (Mike to Michael)
Reversing first and last names entered incorrectly
Adding or correcting title/suffix (Jr., Sr., III, Dr.)
Name change after marriage (requires marriage certificate)
Name change after divorce (requires divorce decree)
Court-ordered legal name change (requires court order)
Gender marker updates (requires legal documentation)
Complete ticket transfer to another person
Changing passenger entirely (non-transferable tickets)
Name changes after check-in has been completed
Go to United Airlines website at united.com
Click "My Trips" in the top navigation menu
Enter your confirmation number (6-digit code) and last name
Click "Find reservation" to access your booking
Look for "Name Correction" or "Modify Name" option
Enter the correct name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID
Upload required documentation (if legal name change)
Review changes and confirm
Pay any applicable fees (most minor corrections are free)
Receive new e-ticket with corrected name via email
Note: Online name changes are limited to minor corrections only. For legal name changes, you must contact customer service.
For legal name changes or complex corrections, call United Airlines customer service:
United Airlines Name Change Phone Number: 1-800-864-8331 (24/7)
Steps to Change Name by Phone:
Call 1-800-864-8331 (United Airlines main customer service)
Press 0 twice to speak to a live agent
Say "I need to change the name on my ticket"
Provide your confirmation number and current name on reservation
Explain the type of name change needed (spelling error, legal change, etc.)
Agent will verify your identity and pull up your reservation
Provide the correct name as it appears on your government-issued ID
If legal name change, agent will tell you what documentation to submit
Agent will process the name change and reissue your ticket
You'll receive confirmation email with updated ticket
Best Time to Call: Friday mornings have shortest wait times (3-5 minutes average). Avoid Monday mornings which are busiest.
Have Ready When You Call:
Confirmation number (6-digit code)
Current name on ticket
Correct name from government-issued ID
Documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order)
Payment method for any fees
Arrive at airport at least 3 hours before departure
Go to United Airlines ticket counter or customer service desk
Bring required documents:
Government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's license)
Current ticket confirmation
Documentation for legal name changes
Credit card used for booking
Explain the name change needed to the agent
Agent will verify your identity and process the correction
Pay any rush fees if applicable (within 24 hours of departure)
Receive new boarding pass with corrected name
Important: Name corrections cannot be made after check-in. If you've already checked in online, you may need to cancel check-in first.
United Airlines allows free name corrections for minor spelling errors when:
The correction involves up to 3 characters
The change is a simple typo or spelling error
You request the change at least 72 hours before departure
It's your first name correction (only one free correction per ticket)
The ticket was purchased directly from United Airlines
"Andraw" to "Andrew"
"Smtih" to "Smith"
Adding middle initial "J"
"Mike" to "Michael"
For more complex name changes or last-minute corrections:
Legal Name Changes:
$0-$50 for name changes due to marriage/divorce with proper documentation
May include ticket reissue fee depending on fare class
Same-day changes (within 24 hours): $75-$125 rush fee
Within 72 hours of departure: $25-$50 processing fee
Within 24 hours of departure: $75-$125 rush fee
At airport counter: Additional $25 service fee
If name change requires ticket reissue, you may need to pay fare difference if prices increased
Basic Economy tickets: Most restrictive, may require full rebooking
24-Hour Booking Window: If you notice the name error within 24 hours of booking, you can cancel the entire ticket for free and rebook with the correct name (if flight is 7+ days away).
United's Error: If United Airlines made the mistake when processing your booking, name corrections are free. Save your original booking confirmation as proof.
What You Need:
Government-issued photo ID showing correct name
Confirmation number
No additional documentation required for simple typos
Government-Issued ID Examples:
U.S. passport
State-issued driver's license
State-issued ID card
Military ID
Permanent resident card
Marriage Name Change:
Original or certified copy of marriage certificate
Government-issued photo ID with new married name
Old ID showing previous name (helpful but not required)
Divorce Name Change:
Original or certified copy of divorce decree
Court order (if name change was part of divorce)
Government-issued photo ID with reverted name
Legal Name Change (Court-Ordered):
Court order for legal name change
Government-issued photo ID with new legal name
Notarized affidavit (in some cases)
Where to Submit Documentation:
By Mail:
United Airlines Customer Care
P.O. Box 1394
Houston, TX 77251-1394
By Email:
Scan documents and email to customercare@united.com
Include confirmation number in subject line
Allow 3-5 business days for processing
In Person:
Bring original documents to United Airlines ticket counter at airport
Agent will make copies and process immediately
β Documents must be:
Original or certified copies (not photocopies)
Legible and clear
In English or officially translated
Current (not expired)
β Best Practices:
Submit documentation at least 7 days before departure for international flights
Keep copies for your records
Upload high-resolution scans (not photos)
Include confirmation number on all correspondence
Ticket Inventory Must Start with 016: United can only process name changes on tickets issued directly by United (ticket number starting with 016). Code-share flights operated by partner airlines may have different rules.
Only One Name Correction Per Ticket: United Airlines allows only one free name correction per reservation. Additional changes may incur fees or require full rebooking.
No Changes After Check-In: You cannot change name on ticket after completing online or airport check-in. If you've checked in, you must cancel check-in first.
Name Must Match Government ID: The name on your ticket must match your government-issued photo ID exactly. Even minor differences can prevent boarding.
72-Hour Advance Notice: For best results, submit name change requests at least 72 hours before scheduled departure. Last-minute changes may be refused or incur rush fees.
Date of Birth Cannot Change: You can change your name, but date of birth and gender on the ticket must remain accurate. Incorrect date of birth requires full rebooking.
β Complete ticket transfers: You cannot transfer your ticket to another person entirely
β After check-in: Name changes not possible after check-in completed
β Third-party bookings: Tickets booked through travel agencies may need to be changed through the agency
β Code-share flights: Partner airline segments may have different name change rules
β Award tickets: MileagePlus award tickets have stricter rules - contact MileagePlus service
Problem: You typed your name wrong when booking (e.g., "Andraw" instead of "Andrew")
Solution:
If within 24 hours of booking, cancel for free and rebook with correct name
If after 24 hours, use "My Trips" on united.com to correct online (free for minor errors)
Or call 1-800-864-8331 to have agent correct it
If within 72 hours of flight, visit airport counter with ID
Cost: Usually free if correcting within 3 characters
Problem: You got married and changed your last name, but ticket shows maiden name
Solution:
Call United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 (cannot be done online)
Explain you need name change due to marriage
Agent will request your marriage certificate
Submit marriage certificate via:
Email: customercare@united.com
Mail: United Airlines Customer Care, P.O. Box 1394, Houston, TX 77251
In person: Airport ticket counter
Allow 3-5 business days for processing
For urgent cases, bring documents to airport counter
Cost: Usually free with proper documentation, but may have $25-50 processing fee if within 72 hours of departure
Important: Make sure your government-issued ID also reflects your new married name before traveling
Problem: You accidentally entered first name in last name field and vice versa (e.g., "Smith John" instead of "John Smith")
Solution:
Call United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 immediately
Explain the name order is reversed
Agent can usually fix this free of charge
Name will be corrected and ticket reissued
Cost: Usually free as it's considered a data entry error
Problem: You booked with nickname (e.g., "Mike") but your ID shows legal name (e.g., "Michael")
Solution:
Check if your ID shows both names (some driver's licenses show "Michael 'Mike' Smith")
If not, change ticket to match ID:
Online via "My Trips" for simple changes
Call 1-800-864-8331 for assistance
Change to your legal name as shown on ID
Cost: Usually free for nickname to legal name conversion
Problem: You accidentally included middle name on ticket but your ID doesn't show middle name (or vice versa)
Solution:
TSA recommends ticket match ID, but middle names are usually not required
If you want to correct it:
Use "My Trips" on united.com to add/remove middle name
Call customer service for assistance
Most agents will tell you it's not necessary to change
Cost: Usually free; most airlines don't enforce middle name matching
Problem: You got divorced and reverted to maiden name, but ticket shows married name
Solution:
Call United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331
Explain you need name change due to divorce
Submit divorce decree showing name reversion
Submit via email (customercare@united.com) or at airport counter
Allow 3-5 business days for processing
Cost: Free with proper documentation
Name Change Rules:
Same rules apply as regular Economy
Minor corrections (up to 3 characters) are free
Legal name changes require documentation
Note: Basic Economy tickets cannot be changed for other reasons (dates, flights), but name corrections are still allowed
Name Change Rules:
Most flexible for name corrections
Free corrections for minor errors
Legal name changes processed with documentation
Can make changes online, by phone, or at airport
Name Change Rules:
Same policy as Economy
May receive priority processing
Can make changes at United Club or premium check-in counters
Complimentary expedited service for premium cabin passengers
Name Change Rules:
More restrictive than paid tickets
Minor corrections allowed with same process
Contact MileagePlus customer service for name changes on award tickets
May require miles redeposit if complete rebooking needed ($125 fee for no-shows)
Email: mileageplus@united.com
Name Change Rules:
Contact United Airlines group desk
Different rules may apply for group bookings
Name changes must be coordinated with group coordinator
Earlier notice required (typically 14-30 days before departure)
Ideal Timeline:
At booking: Double-check all names before confirming purchase
Within 24 hours: Cancel and rebook free if you notice error immediately
7+ days before flight: Request name change for best processing time
72+ hours before flight: Minimum recommended time for name corrections
24-72 hours before flight: Possible but may incur rush fees
Less than 24 hours: Very difficult, may require airport counter visit
Online Corrections: Instant to 2 hours
Phone Corrections: 15 minutes to 24 hours
Legal Name Changes with Documentation: 3-5 business days
Airport Counter: Immediate (if documents approved)
β
Double-check all names before clicking "Purchase"
β
Use your legal name exactly as it appears on government-issued ID
β
Avoid nicknames unless your ID shows both names
β
Include middle name only if it appears on your ID
β
Check suffixes (Jr., Sr., III) are correct
β
Review confirmation email immediately for errors
β
Check "My Trips" on united.com to verify name spelling
β
Compare ticket to ID before departure date
β
Request changes early (at least 72 hours before flight)
β
Update ID first before requesting ticket name change
β
Gather documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order)
β
Request change immediately after legal name change
β
Allow extra time (7-14 days) for international flights
β
Arrive 3+ hours early if name issue discovered
β
Bring all documentation (ID, certificates, court orders)
β
Go to ticket counter (not TSA checkpoint)
β
Explain situation calmly to United Airlines agent
β
Have confirmation number ready
United Airlines:
β Free corrections for minor errors (up to 3 characters)
β One free correction per ticket
β 72-hour advance notice recommended
β Legal name changes free with documentation
Delta Airlines:
Similar policy to United
Free minor corrections
Requires 24-48 hour notice
American Airlines:
More restrictive than United
Charges fees for most name corrections
Requires earlier notice (7+ days)
Southwest Airlines:
Most flexible
Free name corrections anytime before check-in
No documentation required for minor changes
No. United Airlines does not allow complete ticket transfers from one passenger to another. Tickets are non-transferable. You can only correct the name for the original passenger.
Minor corrections (up to 3 characters) are usually free. Legal name changes with proper documentation are free. Rush changes within 24-72 hours may cost $25-125. Late changes or complex corrections may incur fees.
No. Name changes cannot be made after completing online or airport check-in. You must cancel your check-in first, then request the name change.
Middle names are generally not required to match exactly. TSA focuses on first and last names. However, if you want to correct it, United Airlines allows free middle name additions or removals.
Online corrections: Instant to 2 hours. Phone corrections: 15 minutes to 24 hours. Legal name changes with documentation: 3-5 business days.
Yes, for minor corrections (typos, spelling errors up to 3 characters). Go to united.com, click "My Trips," enter your confirmation code, and look for name correction option. Legal name changes must be done by phone or in person.
You need: (1) Marriage certificate (original or certified copy), (2) Government-issued photo ID with new married name. Submit via email to customercare@united.com or bring to airport counter.
It depends on the severity of the error. TSA requires your ticket to match your ID. Minor differences (1-2 letters, extra space, missing middle name) may be allowed, but it's best to correct any errors before your flight.Β
Yes. Name corrections follow the same rules for all ticket types. Basic Economy restrictions apply to date/flight changes, but name corrections for the same passenger are still allowed.
Call 1-800-864-8331 or 1-844-817-0301 (24/7 customer service). Press 0 twice to speak to a live agent. Explain you need to change a name on your ticket.
Main Customer Service: 1-800-864-8331 (24/7)
MileagePlus Name Changes: mileageplus@united.com
Best Time to Call: Friday 6-8 AM (shortest wait)
Website: united.com/my-trips
Email: customercare@united.com
Live Chat: Available on united.com
Visit any United Airlines ticket counter
Arrive 3+ hours before flight
Bring government-issued ID and documentation
Changing name on United Airlines ticket is straightforward for minor corrections and legal name changes with proper documentation. Remember to request changes at least 72 hours before departure for best results. Minor spelling errors up to 3 characters are usually free, while legal name changes require documentation but are also typically free. United Airlines does not allow complete ticket transfers to another passenger - only corrections for the original traveler.
Key Takeaways:
β Minor corrections (up to 3 characters) are free
β Request changes 72+ hours before departure
β Legal name changes require documentation
β Name must match government-issued ID exactly
β Only one free correction per ticket
β Cannot change name after check-in
β Tickets are non-transferable
For urgent name changes or questions, call United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 to speak with a customer service representative.