Updating your passport after a name change is mostly about picking the right form. The State Department has three routes, and the one you use depends on how old your passport is and whether you can renew by mail. Pick wrong and your application comes back to you. Pick right and it is mostly paperwork and a stamp.
The State Department sets the forms, fees and processing times, and they change. Confirm everything at travel.state.gov before you mail anything.
Before you start: update Social Security first
The State Department does not require it, but most people find it easier to update Social Security, then their driver's license, then their passport. That way every ID you carry tells the same story. See what order to change your name in after marriage for the full sequence.
Route 1: Your passport was issued less than one year ago
Use Form DS-5504. This is the cheapest route. The State Department says you do not pay passport fees for this correction unless you want expedited service.
You mail:
- The completed DS-5504
- Your most recent passport
- An original or certified copy of your name change document — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
- One passport photo
If you just got married and your passport is new, this is the reason not to wait. Once your passport passes the one-year mark, this route closes and you are paying full fees.
Route 2: Your passport is older, and you can renew by mail
Use Form DS-82, the regular mail-in renewal form. You send:
- The completed DS-82
- Your most recent passport
- An original or certified copy of your name change document
- One color passport photo
- The fee
Not everyone can renew by mail. The State Department publishes the eligibility rules, which look at things like your age when your passport was issued, how long ago it was issued, and whether it is damaged. Read them before you fill out the form.
Route 3: You cannot renew by mail
Use Form DS-11 and apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, such as many post offices and county clerk offices. This is the same form people use for a first passport. Bring your name change document, proof of citizenship, ID, a photo, and the fees. Most acceptance facilities take appointments, so call ahead.
Your documents: originals or certified copies
This is where most applications go wrong. A photocopy of your marriage certificate is not enough. Neither is the decorative certificate from your ceremony. You need a certified copy from the office that recorded your marriage, or a certified copy of your divorce decree or court order.
The State Department returns your documents. They may arrive in a separate mailing from your new passport, so do not panic if the passport shows up alone. Order an extra certified copy so you are not stuck waiting on it for other agencies.
Your passport card, too
If you also have a passport card, ask about updating it at the same time. The forms let you request a book, a card, or both.
Traveling soon? Read this first
When you mail your passport, you do not have it until the new one comes back. If you have an international trip coming up, the simplest plan is usually this:
- Travel on your current passport.
- Book your ticket in the name that is on that passport.
- Apply for the name change after you get home.
The name on your airline ticket should match the ID you will show. A new name on the ticket and an old name on the passport is the mismatch to avoid. If you have to travel sooner than standard processing allows, the State Department offers expedited service for an added fee, and it lists the options for urgent travel on its website.
Mistakes that send applications back
Most delays come from a handful of small problems. Check for these before you seal the envelope:
- The wrong form. Using DS-82 when your passport is less than a year old, or when you do not qualify to renew by mail. Check your issue date first.
- A copy instead of a certified copy. The name change document has to be an original or certified copy.
- A photo that does not meet the rules. Photo requirements are specific about size, background, glasses, and how recent the photo is. Read them before you get the photo taken.
- Names that do not line up. The name you write on the form should match your name change document exactly, including middle names and hyphens.
- An old fee amount. Fees change. Pull the current amount from travel.state.gov on the day you apply.
- A missing signature. Sign and date the form where it asks.
Changing your name after a divorce
The same three routes apply. Your proof of the name change is a certified copy of the divorce decree that restores your former name, or a separate court order. If your decree does not mention your name, you may need a court order first. See how to change your name after divorce.
A quick checklist
- Find your passport's issue date.
- Pick your route: DS-5504 (under one year), DS-82 (renew by mail), or DS-11 (in person).
- Get a certified copy of your name change document.
- Get a passport photo that meets the current rules.
- Check travel.state.gov for current fees, mailing address, and processing times.
- Check your travel calendar before you mail anything.
- Keep a copy of everything you send and write down the date you mailed it.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Name-change rules, forms, fees and processing times are set by courts and agencies, differ by state, and change. Confirm every requirement with the court or agency handling your case, and talk to an attorney licensed in your state if your situation is complicated.
Questions people ask
Which form do I use to change my name on my passport?
It depends on your passport. If it was issued less than a year ago, the State Department uses Form DS-5504. If it is older and you qualify to renew by mail, you use Form DS-82. If you do not qualify to renew by mail, you apply in person with Form DS-11. Check travel.state.gov to confirm which one fits you.
Is there a fee to change my name on my passport?
If your passport was issued less than a year ago and you use Form DS-5504, the State Department says there is no fee unless you choose expedited service. The other routes carry the regular passport fees. Check travel.state.gov for current amounts.
What documents do I need to change my name on my passport?
Your most recent passport, a passport photo, the correct form, and an original or certified copy of your name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Photocopies are not enough.
Can I travel with a passport in my old name after I get married?
Generally yes, as long as the passport is still valid and your airline ticket matches the name on the passport. Book travel in the name on the document you will carry.
Do I need to change my name on my passport right away?
There is no deadline that forces you to. But updating within the first year can cost less, because that route has no regular fee. Plan it around your travel.