Copy the name from the data page of the passport you will travel with, letter for letter and in the same order. Do not rely on memory, your IC or your social media name. Then read both names aloud together before you pay.
This guide belongs to our booking requests topic. It is the last check before money moves, so it is worth five calm minutes.
Why does the name matter so much?
Airlines and immigration check the name on the ticket against the passport. A mismatch can lead to a correction fee, a delay or a refused boarding.
Hotels are usually more relaxed, but the name still helps at check-in. If a spelling is wrong, fixing it early is easier than fixing it at the airport. See name change fees for airline and hotel for what to expect.
What should we copy exactly?
Use the table as a field-by-field guide. Look at the passport data page, not at your IC.
| Field | What to do |
|---|---|
| Surname and given names | Copy in the order the passport prints them |
| Bin or binti | Copy only if the passport prints it as part of the name |
| Chinese names | Keep the romanised order printed on the passport |
| Spaces and hyphens | Match the passport; if the form rejects them, ask the supplier |
| Titles (Mr, Ms) | Choose to match your gender, not your professional title |
| Middle names | Include them if printed; ask the airline if there is no space |
How do names work for Malay and Chinese couples?
For Malay names, passports can carry the full name with bin or binti. Do not shorten it to what you use every day.
For Chinese names, the passport shows how your name was romanised, which may not match your Facebook spelling or a family nickname. Keep the passport order, even if you say your name differently.
What if your passports and ICs differ?
Use the passport for travel bookings and keep IC details for local transport or local booking forms. If you have recently married and changed a surname, read booking after a name change post-wedding.
Our guide to passport and name checks before your first honeymoon also covers expiry dates and photo clarity.
What is the read-aloud check?
Sit together with both passports and the booking page open. One reads the passport letter by letter, and the other reads the booking.
Check these five things: surname, given name, order, bin or binti, and date of birth. Do this before you press pay, not after.
What if we find an error?
Contact the supplier at once, and keep screenshots. Some fixes are free within a short window, some carry a fee, and a few need a new ticket.
For hotels, ask the hotel to correct the guest name on the booking, and confirm by email. Keep a copy of your booking reference with the correction.
What should we do next?
- Take clear photos of both passport data pages.
- Type the names exactly, using the table above.
- Run the read-aloud check together.
- Send us the pictures if you want a second pair of eyes.
- Keep the final confirmation and compare it again at home.