Although it has become a bit more complicated to obtain a
passport than it ever has been before, having changes made to your
passport does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. New
security measures at the boarders have been initiated over the last ten
years that have somewhat complicated the passport process. These
regulations have made some people hesitant to apply for simple changes
to their passports, like a passport name change. These changes can be
simple to make, however.
Passport name changes and other minor
changes can be quite simply made by just filing out the proper forms
and, in some cases, paying a small fee. The majority of changes that are
made to passports do not require a fee. Passports and changes to
passports can be quite inexpensive because generally a fee is only
needed for certain changes and expedited service.
One of the most
common changes that people have to make to their passport is when it is
sent out or printed with the wrong information due to a printing error.
This is a simple change that can be made at any time during the valid
years of the passport. This is a change that requires no fee be paid and
it requires only the DS-5504 form. This form can be picked up at a post
office or printed from the website. It can also be returned via mail or
turned into a postal employee at the post office.
One of the most
common changes that is made to passports every day is a name change.
When a marriage or divorce takes place after the passport is issued, the
passport holder must apply for a name change. If expedited service is
not needed then there is no charge for this change. The DS-5504 form is
the form that must be used if the change is being made less than 365
days after passport issuance. This is the form that is used for changes
to a passport due to a printing error and can be found at a post office
or on the Internet. This form can be mailed or returned to the post
office.
There is a fee required for a name change that is needed
for a passport more than one year after the passport was issued. The
DS-82 form is the form that is required to make this type of change.
This form can be found online or requested at a post office. This form
must be returned with the fee included in order to be processed and for
the change to be made.
Sometimes additional Vista pages are needed
to be added and this can be done anytime a passport is valid. There is
no fee for this change, but a $60 fee will be added for expedited
service. There is no time limit for when this must be done or extra fees
after a certain amount of time has passed since issuance.
The
total cost for a passport is around $120 for the application and related
fees. $60 must be added if the passport application must be rushed. If
an individual cannot prove citizenship another $60 fee will be imposed
for the passport agency to verify citizenship. These fees are quite low,
but they can add up if you have certain circumstances that require
special services.
Changes in general are simple to request and can be made quickly
if needed. These changes are most often free, but if you need them done
quickly there will be a cost. It is not scary at all to make changes to
your passport. Changes like a passport name change are easier than many believe. Passports today are more comprehensive than ever, but getting one or changing one is still a relatively simple process.
