The name shown on your passport needs to match the name you use and
book flights under. If you get married or divorced, you need to request a
passport name change. Likewise, if you've always hated your given name
and finally decided to change it to something you like better, you'll
need to change the name on your passport. Here's how:
By Mail
If your current passport was issued after you turned 16, is less than
15 years old and is still in your possession, you are eligible to
request a passport name change by mail as long as you have legal
documents to support your request.
To do so, mail the following documents to the Department of State:
- The appropriate passport application form. If your passport was
issued less than one year ago, use form DS-5504. If it was issued more
than one year ago, use form DS-82.
-
Your current passport
-
One passport photo, if your passport was issued more than 90 days ago.
-
Money to pay for a passport renewal if your passport was issued more
than one year ago and you are using Form DS-82. If your passport was
issued less than a year ago and you are using form DS-5504, you can get
your name changed free of charge.
-
Legal documents, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order, to support your name change request.
In Person
If the qualifications listed above don't apply to you, you'll need to
apply for your passport name change in person at a post office or other
passport acceptance facility. If you have a marriage certificate,
divorce decree or court order referencing your name change, bring it
along with the following:
-
Proof of identity, such a driver's license or undamaged, expired passport.
-
Proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization
certificate or certificate of citizenship. An expired, undamaged
passport will work here, too.
-
One passport photo
-
A check or money order to pay the fees.
-
At the office, you'll complete form DS-11. It's okay to print the
form in advance and fill it out to save time, just don't sign until the
passport agent tells you to.
If you don't have legal documentation of your name change, things get a little trickier. You'll need to bring:
- Your current, valid passport (or other proof of identity and proof of citizenship if you don't have it or it's expired.)
-
One passport photo
-
At least 3 public records that contain your date and place of birth
and show you have been living under the new name for at least 5 years.
