Originally Posted by
emilygrx
The marriage license = marriage certificate (at least in the state I got married it was). The becomes a certificate once it is signed by the adjudicator and witnesses. That aside, if they are travelling 2 days afterwards, chances are it won’t be certified. Still, don’t think you should be throwing all this back at the OP. Mistakes happen and, especially if he has not been married before, perhaps he did not even think of such logistics but assumed most newly married couples would want to travel under the same name. An easy mistake to make IMO.
Pairing down
zipadee's post and removing all hints of judgment and blame, I actually agree with him. I'm moving next week and was organizing my important papers and came across my marriage certificate. I'm trying to remember things clearly but I was married in Mendocino, CA, and you didn't get your legal copy for weeks but IIRC they did give you something on the spot for short term use. Yes, the license and certificate are the same thing (there).
Anyway, I think the OP needs to go back to the airlines and ask them "what can I do now" question and put it in their laps. If the answer sounds like a PITA or wrong, elevate it. You have time. If a new ticket pops up in the mean time, get it and suck up the redeposit fee.