I recently remarried and went into the post office to find out about changing the name on my passport.

I was taken aback to find out that no matter how much time you have left on your current passport, you have to apply for a new one at a cost of more than £70 plus the cost of photos and postage.

This seems unfair, particularly if your passport is only a year or two old. Is there anything to stop me using my passport in my old name until it runs out as long as my tickets/bookings/ insurance are all made in that name? – Pam Wardle, via e-mail.

Times travel expert, Julia Brookes, responds:The name on your passport should always match your legal name but, even if you have changed your name on remarriage, you can continue to use your current passport if you take your marriage certificate with you when you travel.

Some countries insist, however, that the details on your travel documents match those in your passport so you would need to check with the consulate of the country you are planning to visit. For full details of passport renewal, visit the UK passport website www.ips.gov.uk.

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