Change Your Name on a U.S. Passport
If your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued, you can apply to update your passport with your new name. US Passport Assist helps you select the appropriate form, prepare your documents, and understand how to submit your application.
All routes require your name-change document: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order (certified copy).
Government feesDS-5504 (passport issued within 1 year): no government fee. DS-82 route: $130. DS-11 route: $130, plus a separate $35 acceptance fee paid directly to the acceptance facility. Optional expedited service on any route adds the State Department's $60 expedite fee plus $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book ($86.87 together).
When Do You Need a Passport Name Change?
You may need to update your passport if it shows a previous name following:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- A court-ordered name change
If you have been using a different name but do not have a legal name-change document, you may still qualify with additional supporting evidence and an in-person application.
A misspelled name caused by a data or printing error is handled as a passport correction, rather than a legal name change.
What Do You Need to Change Your Name on a Passport?
US Passport Assist prepares the appropriate application form—DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11—based on your situation. You will generally need:
- Your most recent U.S. passport, required when applying by mail
- An original or certified name-change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
- One printed passport photo that meets government requirements
- Proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification, when required
- Applicable government fees, if any
We provide a personalized checklist explaining which documents and copies you need. If you do not have a legal name-change document, we will explain the alternative evidence and in-person application requirements. Additional age-specific requirements may apply to applicants under 18.
Government fees are separate from our service fee. Eligible name changes using Form DS-5504 have no government application fee, although optional expedited processing and delivery may cost extra.
How Does the Application Process Work?
- Provide Your Information
Complete the online application and provide your passport details, current name, and information about your name change.
- We Prepare and Review Your Application
US Passport Assist reviews when your passport was issued, when your name changed, and whether you qualify for renewal to identify the appropriate form. Form DS-5504: generally used when both your passport issuance and subsequent legal name change occurred less than one year ago. Form DS-82: used when you do not qualify for DS-5504 but meet the requirements to renew by mail. Form DS-11: used when an in-person application is required. We prepare your application form, review your information and passport photo, and provide a personalized document checklist.
- Receive Your Application Package
We mail the prepared application package to you with the required form, personalized checklist, and clear submission instructions.
- Review and Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions provided for your application. If eligible to apply by mail, sign the form and mail it with the required documents. If an in-person application is required, bring your package to an authorized passport acceptance facility and sign Form DS-11 only when instructed by the acceptance agent.
- Track Your Application
After submission, you can follow the progress of your passport application.
US Passport Assist helps you prepare your name-change application, organize the required documents, and understand each step of the process.
Common questions
How much does it cost to change the name on my passport?
If your passport was issued less than a year ago, the government processes the name change free with Form DS-5504 — you pay only postage or service fees. Older passports go through a normal renewal ($130 government fee) or, if not mail-eligible, an in-person DS-11 ($130 government fee plus a separate $35 acceptance fee paid to the acceptance facility).
More answers in the FAQ hub.