Change Your Name in Your U.S. Passport

There are very specific requirements and steps that must be completed in order to change your name in your U.S. passport. There are a few scenarios that the United States Department of States outlines along with procedures.

If	Then
If your passport issue date was less than one year ago AND you have had a name-change because of marriage or court order...	You must submit the following information: Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission) Completed Form DS-5504, Application for U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement An original copy of your marriage certificate or a certified copy thereof OR the government-issued documentation showing that you have changed your name legally under state or federal law. In some cases you may be required to submit a recent photograph as well (check with State Department for details).

Then

If your passport issue date was less than one year ago AND you have had a name-change because of marriage or court order...

You must submit the following information:

Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission)
Completed Form DS-5504, Application for U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement
An original copy of your marriage certificate or a certified copy thereof OR the government-issued documentation showing that you have changed your name legally under state or federal law.
In some cases you may be required to submit a recent photograph as well (check with State Department for details).

There are no fees associated with this service; however, there is a fee if you require expedited service.
It is recommended that any documents mailed for the purpose of passport name change be mailed through delivery methods which are trackable.

If	Then
If your passport was issued more than one year ago AND you have had a name-change because of marriage or court order...	You must mail the following documentation: Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission) Completed Form DS-82, Application for U.S. Passport by Mail Renewal fees An original copy of your marriage certificate or a certified copy thereof OR the government-issued documentation showing that you have changed your name legally under state or federal law. Recent color photograph

Then

If your passport was issued more than one year ago AND you have had a name-change because of marriage or court order...

You must mail the following documentation:

Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission)
Completed Form DS-82, Application for U.S. Passport by Mail
Renewal fees
An original copy of your marriage certificate or a certified copy thereof OR the government-issued documentation showing that you have changed your name legally under state or federal law.
Recent color photograph

If	Then
If you are unable to provide legal documentation for your name change (either through marriage or court order) OR are under sixteen years of age whose passport was issued over 12 months ago...	You must provide the following documentation, in person, at a designated facility or agency. Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission) Completed Form DS-11, Application for U.S. passport. Applicable fees You must provide at least three public records which include information about your place and date of birth which also show the exclusive use of your changed name for at least five years. Recent color photograph

Then

If you are unable to provide legal documentation for your name change (either through marriage or court order) OR are under sixteen years of age whose passport was issued over 12 months ago...

You must provide the following documentation, in person, at a designated facility or agency.

Your current U.S. passport (must be valid at the time of submission)
Completed Form DS-11, Application for U.S. passport.
Applicable fees
You must provide at least three public records which include information about your place and date of birth which also show the exclusive use of your changed name for at least five years.
Recent color photograph

These details should provide you with the basic information you need to get started with the passport name change process. You can find additional information on the U.S. Department of State website.

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