Change Your Name on Your US Passport Hassle-Free

To legally change the name printed on your U.S. passport, you must actively apply for an updated document either by mail or in person. The specific procedure depends on the issue date of your current passport.

If your document was issued less than one calendar year ago, you can use Form DS-5504. However, if it was issued more than a year ago, you must use Form DS-82 for a standard mail renewal or Form DS-11 for an in-person application.

To process a passport name change, you must provide your current, valid U.S. passport and a new color passport photograph. You also need to submit an original or a government-certified copy of your official name change document.

The State Department strictly mandates that this must be a formal legal record. Common examples include a state-issued marriage certificate, a finalized divorce decree, or a judge-signed court order authorizing the name change.

The cost of a passport name change depends on when your current passport was issued. If it was issued within the last year, you can submit Form DS-5504 for a routine name change at no cost (except service fee).

If your passport was issued more than one year ago, the name change is treated as a standard renewal. In this case, you must use Form DS-82 and pay the $130 standard adult renewal fee.

Processing a passport name change generally takes 6 to 8 weeks, the same as a standard new application or renewal. If expedited processing is requested, the timeline can be reduced to 2 to 3 weeks.

Mailing times to and from the federal processing facility are not included in these estimates, so it’s recommended to apply as soon as possible if you need your updated passport for imminent travel.

Selecting the correct form is crucial for a passport name change.

Yes, you’re required to submit your current physical U.S. passport book or card along with your signed application and your certified legal name change documents. You cannot submit photocopies.

Once processing is complete, the U.S. Department of State will physically cancel your old passport by punching holes in it. They will return it to your residential address in a separate mailing from your newly printed passport.

Yes, you’re legally permitted to travel internationally using an unexpired passport that still displays your maiden name, as long as it matches your other travel documents.

The name printed on the passport you travel with must exactly match your booked airline tickets, hotel reservations, and all other documentation. If the names on your tickets and your passport do not align perfectly, airline agents and international border security will likely deny you boarding and entry.

No, the U.S. Department of State doesn’t currently allows citizens to process a legal name change on their passport entirely online. The federal government requires visual verification of authentic legal records.

You must physically mail your original, certified legal name change documents. In the envelope, also include your current physical passport and the appropriate application form, and send it directly to the secure national processing center for manual review by an agent.

If your passport was issued less than one year ago, you can use Form DS-5504.

If it’s older than one year, you need to use the standard renewal Form DS-82 instead.

Yes. You must send your original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order. Photocopies are not accepted.

The government will return your document separately after processing.

Form DS-5504 is used for:

If you need a new passport for another reason, a standard renewal application (Form DS-82) may be required. For lost or stolen passports, a DS-64 form must be filed.

Yes. A new 2x2 passport photo is required, even if your current passport is recent. Make sure it meets the specifications to avoid processing delays.

Yes. For adults, your updated passport will be valid for a full 10-year period. The new issue date will reflect the date your corrected passport is issued, starting a new validity cycle.