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Turkey - Hotel - My wife has a different last name

I've read that in Turkey (especially the southeast) that unmarried couples may have an issue getting a hotel room. My wife has kept her last name, so I was wondering if this would become an issue when checking into a hotel. Would it be a good idea to bring a copy of our marriage certificate? Or will it not be a problem?

Posted by
23547 posts

Our son and new dil just spent a month in Turkey (mostly of it in the interior) as a part of their around the world honeymoon and had no problem. They did carry a copy of their marriage certificate but never needed it.

Posted by
990 posts

This should be no problem at all. I've traveled a lot in Turkey with my husband (and we have different names and different nationalities on our passports) and never had a problem. If you are still nervous about it, bring along a xerox of the certificate. But I bet you never need it.

Posted by
4637 posts

No problem at all. I know from our own experience. Turkey is not Saudi Arabia.

Posted by
7 posts

The reason I thought it might be an issue is page 604 of the lonely Planet guidebook (along with other references) says under sleeping:

Unmarried couples can be made to feel unwelcome and solo travellers even more so..... unmarried couples should feel welcome at hotel....

These entries seem to be more for southeastern areas, (this one was for Sanluirfa) not the western areas that most tourists go to.

Rick really needs a guidebook for Turkey. It would make my wife much happier

Posted by
23547 posts

Our son and new wife had read the same thing. Also some references for the women to have a head scarf when entering some sights. They encountered no problems with either issue. They spent nearly a month in central Turkey will away from the western coastal area. You should be fine but, being an old engineer I would have the certificate and a scarf -- just in case.

Posted by
28 posts

I lived in the Middle East for 3 years and know that females keep their fathers name even after marriage. I doubt this will be a problem at all in Turkey.