What you need to do to change your name on your passport

To change your name on your passport, you submit Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) or Form DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal Application) in person at a passport acceptance facility, along with your current passport, a certified copy of your name change document, and a new photo. The State Department processes the change and issues a new passport with your updated name. The whole process takes about 6 to 8 weeks for routine service, or 2 to 3 weeks if you pay for expedited processing.

You cannot change your name by mail or online. You must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility, which includes post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices in most areas. If you need your passport urgently — for travel within two weeks — you can request an appointment at a passport agency in a major city for same-day or next-day service, but this costs extra and requires proof of imminent travel.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit Form DS-11 in person at a passport acceptance facility; you cannot mail in a name change.
  • Bring your current passport, a certified copy of your name change document (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree), and a new passport photo.
  • Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing costs extra and takes 2 to 3 weeks.
  • If you need your passport within two weeks, you can request an appointment at a passport agency for faster service, but you must prove you have imminent travel plans.

What name change document you need

The State Department requires a certified copy of the official document that changed your name. This is not a photocopy you make yourself — it is a certified copy issued by the court, government office, or agency that processed your name change. The type of document depends on why your name changed.

If you changed your name by court order, bring a certified copy of the court order. If you changed your name through marriage, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you changed your name through divorce, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree that shows your new name. If you changed your name through adoption, bring a certified copy of the adoption decree. Some states also allow name changes through other means — check with your state's vital records office if your situation does not fit these categories.

A certified copy has an official seal or stamp and is signed by the clerk or official who issued it. You can request certified copies from the court, county clerk, or vital records office where the document was filed. This usually costs $10 to $25 per copy and takes a few days to a few weeks by mail. Order extra copies now — you may need them for other documents later, and having spares saves you a trip.

How to fill out the application form

Use Form DS-11 for a name change. You can download it from the State Department website or pick up a copy at any passport acceptance facility. Fill it out by hand in black or blue ink — do not use pencil. Answer every question that applies to you. If a question does not apply, write "N/A" rather than leaving it blank.

Section 1 asks for your current name and the name you want on your new passport. Section 2 asks for your date and place of birth. Section 3 asks for your Social Security number. Sections 4 through 8 ask about your citizenship, previous passports, and whether you have changed your name before. Answer honestly — lying on a passport application is a federal crime.

Do not sign the form before you arrive at the acceptance facility. You must sign it in front of the acceptance agent. Bring the completed but unsigned form with you.

Getting a new passport photo

You need a new 2-by-2-inch color photo taken within the last six months. The photo must show your face straight-on, with a plain white or off-white background, and your eyes open and looking at the camera. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup. If you wear glasses, they must not have a glare on the lenses.

You can have a photo taken at most drugstores (CVS, Walgreens), post offices, and professional photography studios. Passport photos cost $10 to $20. Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media — the State Department will reject it. Bring four copies of the photo with you: one for your new passport and three as backups in case the first one is rejected.

Where to submit your application in person

Find a passport acceptance facility near you using the State Department's facility locator on travel.state.gov. Most post offices, public libraries, and county clerk offices accept passport applications. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment — some facilities now require one, especially after the pandemic backlog.

Bring all documents with you: your current passport, the certified name change document, the unsigned Form DS-11, your new photo, and a valid ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID). Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number. Bring a check or money order for the fee — most facilities do not accept credit cards or cash. The fee for a passport book is $130 for adults; expedited processing adds $60.

The acceptance agent will review your documents, ask you to sign the form in front of them, take your photo, and collect your fee. They will give you a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt — you will need it to check the status of your application or to pick up your passport when it arrives.

How long the process takes and what happens next

Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day you submit your application. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an extra $60. These times are measured from submission to delivery — the State Department mails your new passport to the address you provided on the form.

You can check the status of your application online using your receipt number and date of birth on travel.state.gov. The website shows whether your application is being processed, whether your passport has been printed, or whether it has been mailed. If your application is delayed beyond the stated time, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

If you need your passport urgently — within two weeks — you can request an appointment at a passport agency in a major city. Passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for an additional fee, but you must show proof of imminent travel (a plane ticket or travel itinerary with a date within two weeks). Not all cities have passport agencies; check travel.state.gov for locations and call to make an appointment.

What to do if your name change document is from another country

If you changed your name outside the United States, you need a certified copy of the foreign name change document plus an English translation. The translation must be certified by a professional translator or notarized. Some passport acceptance facilities will not accept foreign documents without seeing the original — call ahead to ask.

If your name change was through a foreign court or government office, the State Department may ask for additional proof of your U.S. citizenship or your right to hold a U.S. passport. This can delay your application by several weeks. Bring any documents that show your citizenship: a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous U.S. passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my passport by mail?

No. Name changes must be done in person at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11. You cannot use Form DS-82 (the mail-in renewal form) for a name change, even if your passport is not expired.

What if I lost my current passport?

Report it lost or stolen to the State Department before you apply for a new one. You can do this online or by phone. Then submit Form DS-11 in person as if you were applying for your first passport. Bring your certified name change document and a new photo, but you do not need to bring the lost passport.

Do I need to change my name on other documents first?

You do not have to, but it is easier if you do. Change your name on your driver's license or state ID first, because you will need a valid ID to submit your passport application. Then change your name on your Social Security card, bank accounts, and insurance before you change your passport.

How much does it cost to change my name on my passport?

The fee is $130 for a passport book. Expedited processing costs an extra $60. If you need same-day or next-day service at a passport agency, there is an additional agency fee of $35 to $60 depending on the location.

What if the acceptance agent rejects my name change document?

Ask the agent why it was rejected — common reasons are that it is not certified, it is not in English, or it does not clearly show your new name. Get a corrected or translated copy and return to the facility. You do not have to pay the application fee again if you resubmit within a certain time frame — ask the agent about the policy at that facility.