If you are a passport holder who has recently changed your name because you either got married or because of a court order, then you'll need to have a passport name change. This is the kind of procedure you need to go through so that your new name will be reflected on your passport. In this article, we'll show you the options that you have to get a USA passport name change.
Before you apply for a passport name change, you first need to verify when your passport was issued. That's because the type of procedure you'll follow will depend on the date of issuance of your passport. To verify the date, all you need to do is check your passport where your personal details are found.
From there, let's discuss your first option. If your passport application was issued less than a year ago, you will have to fulfill the following requirements: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, and the legal documents that prove your name change. These documents are either your marriage contract or a court order. In addition to these, will also need to accomplish Form DS-5504, which is used when applying for a passport name change.
Keep in mind that there are no fees to have your passport processed if it is less than a year old. However, there will be applicable fees should you decide to have the process expedited. Expediting your passport application can cut your waiting time from four to six weeks in routine processing to just two to three weeks. So if you need to have your passport sooner than later, then have your passport name change expedited.
Meanwhile, if your passport was issued more than a year ago, then you will submit a slightly different set of documents. In this procedure, you will submit: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, documents that prove your name change (i.e. your marriage contract or a court order). These are basically the same documents you submit in the previous option.
However, instead of the DS-5504, you will submit form DS-82. This is the form that you use when applying for a passport application by mail. Also, you will need to pay the applicable fees to have your passport processed.
You have an alternative option just in case you don't have the legal documents required in the previous two options. Once again, you'll need to submit your current and valid passport, two passport photos, the completed DS-11 form, plus the applicable fees. Since you don't have the legal documents needed to prove your name change, you will then be required to submit three public records with your place of birth. These records should indicate the exclusive use of your new name for at least five years. Once you have completed these requirements, you'll then need to submit them in person.
Before you apply for a passport name change, you first need to verify when your passport was issued. That's because the type of procedure you'll follow will depend on the date of issuance of your passport. To verify the date, all you need to do is check your passport where your personal details are found.
From there, let's discuss your first option. If your passport application was issued less than a year ago, you will have to fulfill the following requirements: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, and the legal documents that prove your name change. These documents are either your marriage contract or a court order. In addition to these, will also need to accomplish Form DS-5504, which is used when applying for a passport name change.
Keep in mind that there are no fees to have your passport processed if it is less than a year old. However, there will be applicable fees should you decide to have the process expedited. Expediting your passport application can cut your waiting time from four to six weeks in routine processing to just two to three weeks. So if you need to have your passport sooner than later, then have your passport name change expedited.
Meanwhile, if your passport was issued more than a year ago, then you will submit a slightly different set of documents. In this procedure, you will submit: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, documents that prove your name change (i.e. your marriage contract or a court order). These are basically the same documents you submit in the previous option.
However, instead of the DS-5504, you will submit form DS-82. This is the form that you use when applying for a passport application by mail. Also, you will need to pay the applicable fees to have your passport processed.
You have an alternative option just in case you don't have the legal documents required in the previous two options. Once again, you'll need to submit your current and valid passport, two passport photos, the completed DS-11 form, plus the applicable fees. Since you don't have the legal documents needed to prove your name change, you will then be required to submit three public records with your place of birth. These records should indicate the exclusive use of your new name for at least five years. Once you have completed these requirements, you'll then need to submit them in person.
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