Passport Name Change

If you have a U.S. passport or plan to travel internationally, updating your passport name is an important step after a legal name change. The U.S. Department of State handles passport name changes, and the process differs slightly depending on how recently your current passport was issued.

If your passport is less than one year old, you use Form DS-5504 (Name Change in Passport) and there's no fee. If your passport is more than one year old, you apply for a new passport using Form DS-11 (first-time application form) or DS-82 (passport renewal), pay the applicable fee ($130–$165 depending on the type), and submit your certified court order along with your current passport and a new passport photo.

The documentation you submit depends on the nature of the name change: for court-ordered name changes, include a certified copy of the court order. For name changes after marriage, include a certified copy of your marriage certificate. For name changes after divorce, include a certified copy of the divorce decree that specifically orders the name change.

International travel requires that your passport name match your airline ticket name exactly. If you've legally changed your name but haven't updated your passport, you may face problems at the airport or at border control. Updating your passport promptly — or at least before your next international trip — prevents these complications.

Passport processing currently takes 6–8 weeks for routine applications and 2–3 weeks for expedited processing. Plan accordingly if you have upcoming international travel — don't wait until the last minute to request a passport name change.