Spotted a typo on your Southwest boarding pass, or changed your name recently? Knowing how to change the name on a Southwest reservation matters because the name on your ticket must match your government ID exactly — or you won't be allowed through security. Here's what Southwest typically allows, what it doesn't, and how to fix it before you fly.
Don't risk a problem at the airport. Call +1 (855) 302-0422 (24/7) and our agents will review your reservation and correct the name properly.
FareDeal is an independent travel agency, not Southwest Airlines, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Southwest. We can correct the name, or you can contact the airline directly.
Name correction vs name transfer
This is the most important distinction:
- Name correction — fixing a typo, swapped first/last name, missing middle name, or a legal/marriage name change. Southwest generally allows these.
- Name transfer — giving your ticket to a different person. Tickets are non-transferable, so this is generally not allowed.
You can usually fix your name; you can't hand the reservation to someone else.
What Southwest typically allows
| Situation | Usually allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor typo | Yes | Often quick, no fee |
| First/last name swapped | Yes | Correction, not a transfer |
| Marriage / legal name change | Yes | May need supporting documents |
| Add/remove middle name | Usually | Match to government ID |
| Give ticket to another person | No | Reservations are non-transferable |
Rules and any documentation requirements vary and change over time — call to confirm before you travel.
How to change a name on a Southwest reservation: step by step
- Compare your reservation to your ID. Note exactly what's wrong.
- Gather documents for a legal name change (marriage certificate, court order).
- Request the correction early — well before your travel date.
- Verify the corrected name matches your ID character for character.
- Save the updated confirmation and recheck your boarding details.
What if you need a different traveler?
If the wrong person is on the reservation and you need someone else to fly, a name correction won't work — the ticket can't be transferred. Your realistic move is to cancel and rebook. The good news: Southwest charges no cancellation fee, so you'll keep the value as Travel Funds. See how to cancel a Southwest flight and get Travel Funds, or if you booked very recently, the 24-hour flight cancellation rule for a full refund.
Other reservation changes
Fixing a name and also moving your dates? Southwest has no change fee — see the Southwest flight change with no fee guide. Booking for several people at once? Read Southwest group booking help so every name is entered correctly the first time.
Why the name has to match exactly
The TSA's Secure Flight program matches your reservation against your government ID, so even small differences can cause problems at the airport. Frequent culprits worth correcting ahead of time include:
- Nicknames on the booking that don't match your ID (e.g., "Liz" vs "Elizabeth").
- Missing or extra middle names.
- Hyphenated last names entered incompletely.
- Suffixes like Jr. or III on one document but not the other.
For international Southwest routes, your details must match your passport, which airlines verify before boarding — so accuracy matters even more.
Documents to have ready for a legal name change
If you've legally changed your name, gathering the right paperwork makes the correction fast:
- Marriage certificate for a post-marriage name change.
- Divorce decree if reverting to a former name.
- Court order for any other legal change.
- Updated ID or passport showing the new name.
Have these on hand when you call and we'll get the correction moving right away.
Your name has to match your ID — there's no margin for error. Call +1 (855) 302-0422 (24/7) and an agent will correct your Southwest reservation so you board without a hitch.