Passport Name Change: The Basic Information

If your name has been legally changed, you are going to need a passport name change as well. There are different procedures for this depending on your particular situation, such as how old your prior passport is. Depending on a several factors, there may be a fee involved and you may have to make your application in person.

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.

If the passport you currently hold was acquired more than a year ago, you will need a different application form. This can also be mailed in if you have the legally accepted proof of your name change. However, in this scenario, you will also have to send in a fee along with the application, current passport, proof of name change and photos.

If you are unable to provide proof of the name change that is legal, you will have to go to a passport agency to make your application. It will be treated like applying for a new passport. To prove your name change, you will have to furnish no less than 3 types of public records showing your birth date and place in addition to the new name. They will have to show usage of the name for at least five years.

Children who are less than 16 years of age must also apply in person for their passports and provide the same documents. They must be accompanied by their parents or guardians as well who will need to show legal proof of their relationship. The general requirements for passports for minors should be reviewed so that you have all the necessary documentation when you arrive at the agency.

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.

Even when a passport is expedited, it can still take 2 to 3 weeks to get to you. If you are in an emergency situation in which you need the revised passport sooner, you may want to contact a passport expediting company to speed up the process.

If you are able to mail in your passport name change application, package all the documentation in a secure manner. It is recommended to send it via a method that you can trace. It is also a good idea to make your life a little less stressful and send in your passport application when you change your name instead of waiting until you plan to travel.