Delta Airlines Name Change Policy: Major & Minor Correction

If your name on the Delta flight ticket does not match your government ID, then Delta Airlines will not allow you to board the aircraft. Delta follows the TSA guidelines and is very strict with its name correction policy. Delta Airlines Name Change Policy prohibits the transfer of tickets to any other passenger and is valid for only named passengers. 

So, what should travelers do if they misspell the name on their ticket? How to request a name change if the traveler has changed the name due to legal reasons? These things can take up mental space. However, passengers don’t need to worry as in the following blog, cheapflightsfirst will comprehensively discuss the Delta Airlines Name Correction Policy. So, stick to the end. 

Delta Airlines Name Change Policy for Domestic and International Tickets

Passengers need to adhere to the following guidelines to avoid the cancellation of the PNR in case of name correction. 

• Travelers can make minor name corrections on Delta by accessing the flight via My Trips. 
• Delta Airlines Name Change Policy applies to tickets with 006 stock numbers. The flights must be operated by Delta Airlines. 
• As per Delta Airlines, passengers can change their names and reissue the ticket only once. For further changes, they have to reach out to the Delta helpdesk. 
• Passengers can not change their name and transfer it to another passenger. They must ensure that the passenger must remain the same. 
• Secure Flight Passenger Information Data (SFPD) must remain the same as on the original reservation.
• Only minor corrections of up to three characters can be made on the ticket. 
• During the name change process, travelers cannot edit their gender and date of birth. 
• The name change cannot be processed after check-in. 

However, for the following scenarios, passengers cannot make name corrections online and they have to contact the Delta reservations for assistance. 

• If the passenger has made corrections in their name once already. 
• Also, if a traveler needs to correct more than three letters in their name. 
• The itinerary includes flights to/from India. Also, if the itinerary includes travel between the US and China.
• The flight is operated by another carrier.  

Delta Airlines Minor Name Correction

If the passenger has made spelling mistakes, then Delta considers it a minor correction. However, the mistakes can be of different types. Let us check each one by one. 

First or Middle Name Correction 

• For making corrections in the middle or first name, you will not require any waiver code. 
• While correcting the first/middle name you need to enter the OSI message –

OSI DL NAME CORRECTION TO FIRST/MIDDLE NAME ONLY

• Now, correct the name in the PNR.
• After correcting the name, choose to reissue the ticket. 

Last Name Correction

• Again, you will not require any waiver code for making corrections in the last name. 
• According to the Delta Airlines Name Change Policy, travelers can change up to three characters in the last name. 
• Once you correct the name in PNR, choose to reissue the ticket. 

Addition to the Last Name

If you do not want to modify the last name but only want to make an addition to the last name, then it can be also done on the Delta ticket. 

For example: HEISENBERG/WALTER to HEISENBERGWHITE/WALTER

You don’t need any waiver code. However, after correcting the name enter the OSI message:

OSI DL NAME CORRECTION ADDED SECOND NAME TO LAST NAME

First and Last Names are Inverted

It could be possible that the passenger has entered the first and last name in the wrong column. For example: HEISENBERG/WALTER changed to WALTER/HEISENBERG 

• So, to correct the name in the PNR, they need to enter the OSI message:

OSI DL NAME CORRECTION FIRST AND LAST NAME INVERTED

• After the correction, the traveler will have to request the re-issuance of the ticket. 

However, if the passenger has entered the inverted name along with the middle name and initials, they need to contact Delta Airlines. 

Delta Airlines Name Change Due to Legal Reasons

It could be possible that passengers have recently got married or divorced. So, they have updated their name on the ID proof. They might have booked their Delta flight before the event. So, the name on the ID and the ticket will not match. 

Travelers will need to change the name on their booking. According to Delta Airlines Name Change Policy, they have to provide legal documents to validate the changes. 

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Adoption papers

How to Change Name on Delta Flight Ticket?

Travelers can make minor name corrections online. But for major name changes, they need to call the Delta reservation. Here are the ways passengers can utilize to change the name on a Delta flight ticket. 

Through the Website

Visiting the official website should be the preferred mode for changing the name. You can take the following action:

• Go to the official website of Delta Airlines.
• Click on the My Trips option. 
• Enter the confirmation number and last name.
• After accessing the trip details, choose the “Name Change” option. 
• Make the necessary edits as per the Delta Airlines Name Change Policy. 
• After that, enter the OSI message. 
• Attach the documents to validate the name change. 
• Pay the name change fee. 
• Print a new ticket with the correct name.

Over a Phone Call 

• Visit the official website and go to the Need Help page. 
• Pick the reservation desk phone number. 
• Call the Delta Airlines executive. 
• Share the six-digit PNR or booking confirmation number. The agent will fetch your booking details
• In the next step, request the agent to make changes in the name. 
• The agent will change the name as required. 

At the time of check-in on Delta Airlines, travelers will have to provide valid ID proof. They should pay the name change fee at the time of check-in. Travelers can take the printout of the boarding pass with the new name from the counter. 

Delta Airlines Name Change Fee

Delta Airlines Name Change Policy, the name change fee will depend on the flight and destination. It can vary between $75 to $500.

However, if passenger amend their name within 24 hours of booking, the airline will not incur any extra fee. The name change can be done for free in the risk-free period. 

How to Change Name on Delta SkyMiles Account?

Passengers enjoy a lot of perks with Delta SkyMiles. However, if they want to modify their account, then there are no restrictions. Travelers can update their gender, date of birth, and even name in their Delta SkyMiles account.

• When requesting a change to gender or date of birth, travelers must include a copy of their identification verification documents (passport, license, etc.).
• On the other hand, if the member wants to change their name, they must submit a copy of relevant legal papers such as marriage, divorce, and/or court orders along with the request.
• However, a traveler must ensure that the information on their legal ID corresponds with the name on their SkyMiles account for smooth updates. 

To make the changes, SkyMiles members need to follow these steps.

• They need to log in to their SkyMiles account. 
• Now, fill out the Identity Verification Form. 
• Attach legal documents.
• Submit the form to complete the request.

Can I transfer the Delta Ticket to Another Person?

• Delta tickets are non-transferable. 
• Travelers cannot use the name change policy to change the whole name of the passenger. 
• Delta states that the passenger after the name change process should be the same as before the name change request.
• The ticket is valid only for the passenger for whom it was booked. 
• At the time of name change, travelers cannot change their date of birth and gender. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you change the name to someone else on Delta?

Ans. You cannot change the name of a passenger to someone else on a Delta flight ticket. Delta Airlines prohibits the transfer of the ticket to any other passengers. The passenger after correction of the name should be the original passenger to fly. 

Q. Can I change my name on my Delta SkyMiles account?

Ans. You can easily change your name on the Delta SkyMiles account. You have to log in to your SkyMiles account and fill out the Identity Verification Form to complete your request.

Q. How do I change my name on Delta if I get married?

Ans. It is easy to change the name on Delta Airlines due to marriage. You have to call the Delta Airlines executive and provide them with the trip details. After that, request the agent to make the necessary changes. You have to submit the marriage certificate and additional fees if any. 

Q. Can I change my name on the Delta ticket?

Ans. Yes, all passengers are eligible to change the name on Delta flight tickets. You can contact the Delta reservation desk or use the My Trips option to make the necessary edits. 

Q. Can I change my name for free on Delta Airlines?

Ans. Delta Airlines charges fees for changing the name. However, if you want to modify your name for free, you have to complete the process in risk free period. 

Q. What if my name is spelled wrong on the Delta ticket?

Ans. If your name is misspelled on Delta Airlines, then you can make corrections as per the Name Change Policy. However, you cannot change the date of birth and gender of the passenger. 

Q. What is Delta Airlines minor name correction policy?

Ans. According to Delta Airlines Name Correction Policy, travelers can make minor corrections to their name. They can edit up to a total of three characters in their whole name. The minor corrections can be done via My Trips and no waiver code will be required.

Q. What changes does Delta consider in minor name correction?

Ans. Delta Airlines consider the following changes under minor name corrections:

• First or middle name correction 
• Last name correction
• Addition to the last name
• Inverted first and last name

Q. Is a waiver code necessary for name correction on Delta?

Ans. If the passenger changes the name as per the minor correction policy and meets the requirements of Delta Airlines, then they do not need any waiver code. 

Q. How much does it cost to change the name on Delta Airlines?

Ans. Changing the name on a Delta Airlines flight ticket will cost between $75 to $500. Passengers need to pay the name change fee online at the time of correction. 

Q. What documents does Delta ask for major name changes? 

Ans. The major name changes include name changes due to marriage, divorce, or adoption. If the passenger has amended their name due to legal reasons they need to provide marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption papers, or court orders. 

Q. Can I change the date of birth and gender on the Delta ticket?

Ans. Delta prohibits the practice of changing the date of birth and gender on the ticket. It helps in preventing the illegal use of the ticket. Due to it travelers cannot transfer the ticket to someone else. 

Q. Can I change the name on the Delta ticket after the divorce?

Ans. Yes, you can change the name on the Delta ticket due to divorce. If you have changed the name on your legal documents due to divorce or marriage, then you can call the airline and request a name change. You have to submit divorce papers to validate your changes. 

Q. Is it OK to have a spelling mistake on the Delta flight ticket?

Ans. No. Travelers cannot fly with Delta if their name on the valid government ID is different from the name on the flight ticket.

Q. How much time does it take to change the name on a Delta ticket?

Ans. Delta Airlines initiate the name change request instantly. However, under rare circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours to reflect the new name on the ticket. 

Q. What to do if name correction does not meet the name correction policy?

Ans. If the name correction does not meet the Delta Airlines Name Change Policy, then you cannot make the modifications online. You have to contact the reservation desk for further assistance.

Q. Can I change the name on Delta flights between the US and China?

Ans. No. Presently, Delta Airlines does not provide the facility to change the name on flights between the US and China. You have to contact Delta Airlines and seek their assistance.

Q. Can travelers change the name on Delta tickets on all flights?

Ans. Travelers can change the name on Delta tickets only if the flight is operated by Delta. If the itinerary includes flights operated by any other carriers, then the traveler has to contact the reservation department.