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Website update solves Covid certificate in maiden name issue in France

Until now, many married women who have been automatically issued with vaccination certificates showing their maiden name but have their married name on their passport have encountered travel problems

A new update to the Assurance maladie website appears to have resolved the maiden name issue that has affected many women living in France Pic: Par Galina-Photo / Shutterstock

A new software update to Assurance maladie’s vaccination certificate generation system is solving the problems of many women whose Covid vaccination certificates show their maiden name while their travel documents carry their married name.

This particularly affects women with passports from countries including the UK or US, which do not generally include maiden names in the case of a name change and makes it hard for them to be accepted as fully vaccinated for travel rules.

At least three Connexion readers have previously reported being refused boarding on flights because the names on their documentation did not match. 

Read more: ‘French Covid certificate maiden name issue almost cost me my flight’

Read more: No refund from BA for woman barred from flight over maiden name issue

However, the Caisse national d’assurance maladie (Cnam) has now updated the certificate generating system on the Ameli website, meaning that women logging in to access their booster certificates have discovered that the new documents carry both their maiden and married names. 

When uploaded to the TousAntiCovid app, the vaccination records continue to show both names. 

This should work as long as you have both of your names registered with your CPAM account.

Connexion reader Amanda Hill says that even if your Ameli account does not show the right names [for example due to a delay in your area with the website update], there is another way to access the new certificates. 

Ms Hill told The Connexion that: “I went on the site to print out my most recent certificate – after my booster –  but it still only had my maiden name. 

“Today, by coincidence, I had an appointment with my GP and I asked her to take a look on the system available to her. 

“Lo and behold, it had both names! I was so relieved; it’s like an early Christmas present.

“I’ve finally had some success and I think this time it’s a solution that should be possible for everyone. GPs should be able to print out the certificate even if individuals can’t.”

Since she collected her certificate from her doctor, Ms Hill has said that her own Ameli account has also been updated, meaning that she can view her vaccination certificate with both names displayed.

She added that the updated certificates are presented as follows: “maiden name immediately followed by married name on the same line.”

Another reader has reported being given an updated certificate showing both names by her vaccination clinic on receiving her booster. 

Until now, women affected by the name discrepancy issue have had to carry additional documentation such as marriage and birth certificates with them when travelling. 

Some have succeeded in changing the name stated on their vaccination certificates by returning to their local vaccination centre and asking the staff to produce a new document, but many centres have refused to do this.

The updated certification system aligns with Article 225 of France’s Code civil, which states that: “Spouses can use the name of the other spouse, either as a substitute or an addition to their own name and in the order that they choose.”

If you still encounter issues with this please let us know at news@connexionfrance.com

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