The reasons for changing your name are many. You may do this as a result of a marriage or divorce, and it may also be as a choice regarding a career. No matter what the reason for changing your name, you will want to change all of your legal documents as well. This includes changing your name on your passport. A US passport name change is simple, but the process will vary depending on how long you have had your passport.
A pasport name change and a name change on your license and other legal documents are required by law. These changes will include your social security card and state identification. It will be necessary to prove that your name has been changed and what your name was originally.
You do not, however, want to get rid of your old documents. You may need these at a later time, such as processing a license in another state if you relocate. Several states make it necessary to provide documentation of your previous name when applying for a license in that state.
A passport name change can occur different ways. The method that you select will be governed by the time it has been since you obtained your passport and whether you have legal documentation supporting your name change. The period of time that has transpired since you first filed for your passport will also determine whether you owe a fee for a passport name change.
If it has been less than a year since you obtained your passport and you have legal documentation supporting your name change, then you will need to mail your current passport, a filled out DS-5504 application, and a photocopy of your marriage certificate or name change decree. You may also need to present two recent photos along with the documentation listed above.
The DS-5504 form can be mailed into the National Passport Processing Center. In this case there is not a fee for processing the passport name change. You will need to mail this form and the proper documentation to PO Box 90107 in Philadelphia, PA, 19190-0107.
If more than a year has transpired since your original passport was issued then you will need to mail your current passport, a filled out DS-82, the applicable fees, and a copy of your marriage certificate or name change decree. You will also need two recent color photos. This all should be mailed to the address on the back of Form DS-82.
Keep in mind that all of your documentation for processing a name change needs to be certified copies. This means that Photostatted copies that have been notarized will not be accepted by the passport department. Consequently if you do not have the proper documentation, you will need to obtain documentation prior to sending in the proper application.
You can typically obtain this information from the clerk’s office for the county court in the county you were married in. The passport name change process will typically take three to four weeks. It is possible to try to rush this, but it will require an additional fee. If necessary you can contact your states congressional office to help rush the process.