Passport Name Change

W hen you legally change your name, you’ll have a long list of documents you’ll need to update with your new name: driver’s license, Social Security card, credit cards, bank accounts… Don’t forget that you will need to change your passport, too! It’s very important that the name on your passport match the name you use to book your international air tickets, so don’t delay, apply for your passport name change as soon as you can.

The procedure to change the name in a passport varies, depending on whether your passport was issued more than one year ago. Our guide will tell you all your need to know about how to apply for a passport name change, including all requirements for name change in a passport.

Passport Name Change Eligibility

You are eligible if:

• You hold a valid US passport
• You have legally changed your name, such as through marriage or court order

Passport name changes are not available to people who wish to use a nickname, abbreviated name or pseudonym.

How to Apply for A Passport Name Change

1 Gather all required documents

Requirements for Name Change in Passport – If Passport was issued less than one year ago

• Your current US passport
• Passport Name Change Application Form DS-5504, completed offline or filled out online at PPTForm, printed and signed. Select “Complete Form Online” to begin.
• One NEW passport photo – This must be a different photo than the one on the passport you are changing.
• Photocopy of your driver’s license or other state-issued ID (front and back), showing your new name
• Flight itinerary or other proof of travel plans (only required if you need expedited service for passport name change)
• Proof of Name Change – Submit the original or a certified copy of the legal document showing your name change (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree)
• Fees for passport name change – If your passport was issued less than one year ago, there is no government fee unless you need expedited service ($60 government fee for expedited passport service for name change)

Requirements for Name Change in Passport – If Passport was issued more than one year ago

• Your current US passport
• Name Change Application Form DS-82, completed offline or filled out online at PPTForm, printed and signed. This is the same form used for passport renewals.
• One NEW passport photo – This must be a different photo than the one on the passport you are changing.
• Photocopy of your driver’s license or other state-issued ID (front and back), showing your new name
• Flight itinerary or other proof of travel plans (only required if you need expedited service for passport name change)
• Proof of Name Change – Submit the original or a certified copy of the legal document showing your name change (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree)
• Fees for passport name change – If your passport was issued more than one year ago, you must pay the same fees as for passport renewal. Make your check for $110 ($170 if you need expedited passport service for your name change) payable to “US Department of State.”

2 Have your passport application processed in one of three ways:

1. By Mail – Your application can be sent to the National Passport Center for processing by mail.
2. At a Passport Agency – You can get expedited passport service for name change by submitting your application in person at a US Passport Agency.
3. By a Passport Expediting Company – Send your documents to a reputable passport expediting company – it’s a fast and easy way to apply for a passport name change. They will hand-carry your application to a Passport Agency for expedited service.

How Long Does it Take to Apply for Passport Name Change?

Name change applications processed by mail will take up to 8 weeks. Expedited passport service for name change by mail can take 2-3 weeks to be processed.

For a faster way to apply for an alteration in passport name, you can either go in person to a Passport Agency or have your application processed by a passport expediting company. Appointments are needed to go to a Passport Agency in person. You can make an appointment by calling the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of the 26 Passport Agencies nationwide. Want to skip the hassle of making an appointment, traveling to the city, and waiting for hours at a government office? Use the services of a passport expediting company. They can have your passport name change completed in as little as 24 hours.

Passport Name Change FAQ

You will be issued a new passport book in your new name.