subject: U.s. Passport Name Change: Ways To Achieve This Successfully [print this page] If you have had your name legally changed, you will need to apply for a United States passport name change. The procedure for this will depend on several factors, including how long ago your current passport was issued. Depending on your situation, there may or may not be a fee and you may or may not be able to make your application by mail.
If the passport you currently hold was issued within the last 12 months, you can have the name changed free of charge as long as you can show legal proof of the change. In this case, you need to mail the application, current passport, and an original or certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate documenting the change of name. You will also need to supply two recent photos which are less than 6 months old.
When the current passport you hold in your prior name is more than one year old, you need to use a different form. This can also be mailed in as long as you have legal proof of the change in name. In this case, there is also a fee that must be sent along with your application. The proof of the change and the photos must be sent with this form as well.
If you cannot show legal proof of your name change, you will need to go to a passport agency in person. In this case, you are applying as if for a brand new passport. You will need to show at least three types of public records that show your birth date and birthplace as well as your new name. These records must show that you have been using the name for no less than five years.
Minors who are younger than 16 must also make their passport application in person and submit all the same documentation. In addition, the parents or guardians of the child must also appear at the agency. Legal proof of the relationship of the parents or guardians to the child must also be supplied. You should check the requirements for passports for minors to be sure that you arrive with all the proper documents.
Receipt of your revised passport can take, generally, from around 4 to 6 weeks. However, it can take as many as ten weeks to arrive. If you require it sooner, you may want to ask for an expedited passport. This service will require an additional fee. The expedited service can be requested for any type of passport application form.
Expedited passports can still take two to three weeks to arrive. If you have an emergency that requires getting your updated passport sooner, you will need to call the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment, or contact a passport expediting service.
