Passports
Changing Your Name in Your Passport
Your passport may be amended to show your married name or a legal change of name. Procedures vary depending on the age of your passport.
Here's what you'll need:
Application Within One Year of Passport Issuance
Application After One Year of Passport Issuance
Application Within One Year of Passport Issuance
Appointment
Please make an appointment. All services are provided by appointment only. Appointments are made online. Make Appointment!
Application Form
If the change is within one year after issuance of your passport, please submit a U.S. Passport Re-Application Form (DS 5504), available for download.
You will need to use free Acrobat software to view and print this form. You can download the software.
Two Identical Photos
Unacceptable photos are the number one cause for delays in our processing your passport.
The photos must be 2" X 2" (5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background.
Please be careful with the size-- "passport photos" you get at a local photographer's shop are often too small and are intended for Hong Kong people to use to obtain a Hong Kong passport. The photo in your current US passport may be a different size from what is needed for a new passport, as standards have changed from time-to-time.
Here's what your photo should look like:
The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches with the face size as specified. Your browser may not display the graphic above as the right size.
Fee
There is no fee for this service.
Documentation
You'll need to show us legal documentation supporting any requested change. For example, your original marriage certificate showing your new spouse's name or an original court order showing a legal name change. We cannot accept copies, and we reserve the right to request additional documentation. Divorce decrees must explicitly state that the spouse reverts to his/her maiden name.
Bring Your Passport to Us
Please bring your passport to us, by appointment. A third party, such as your helper or assistant, may also bring the passport in to our office instead of you. Be sure, however, that you have signed the form yourself ahead of time.
How Long Does it Take?
Once we have everything we need, processing time is normally about 10 days. However, because computers break and typhoons happen, please don't make any unchangeable travel plans until you have the new passport in hand. We'll mail the completed passport to you.
Application After One Year of Passport Issuance
Appointment
Please make an appointment. All services are provided by appointment only. Appointments are made online. Make Appointment!
Application Form
If the change is more than one year after issuance, please submit a Form DS-82, available for download.
Two Identical Photos
Unacceptable photos are the number one cause for delays in our processing your passport.
The photos must be 2" X 2" (5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background.
Please be careful with the size-- "passport photos" you get at a local photographer's shop are often too small and are intended for Hong Kong people to use to obtain a Hong Kong passport. The photo in your current US passport may be a different size from what is needed for a new passport, as standards have changed from time-to-time.
Here's what your photo should look like:
The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches with the face size as specified. Your browser may not display the graphic above as the right size.
Fee
The cost is US$67. If the requested data change is due to our printing error by Passport Services, there will be no charge.
We accept US or HK dollars, or VISA, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club or American Express card.
Documentation
You'll need to show us legal documentation supporting any requested change. For example, your original marriage certificate showing your new spouse's name or an original court order showing a legal name change. We cannot accept copies, and we reserve the right to request additional documentation. Divorce decrees must explicitly state that the spouse reverts to his/her maiden name.
Bring Your Passport to Us
Please bring your passport to us, by appointment. A third party, such as your helper or assistant, may also bring the passport in to our office instead of you. Be sure, however, that you have signed the form yourself ahead of time.
How Long Does it Take?
Once we have everything we need, processing time is normally about 10 days. However, because computers break and typhoons happen, please don't make any unchangeable travel plans until you have the new passport in hand. We'll mail the completed passport to you.
Last modified: September 17, 2008
American Citizens Services
Passports
