Passport Name Change After Marriage: Which Form to Use

Which Passport Form Do You Need After Marriage?

The right form comes down to when your current passport was issued and whether it meets the State Department's renewal conditions. Here's the quick rule:

• Issued less than 1 year ago: Use Form DS-5504 (free name change by mail).
• Issued more than 1 year ago and meets renewal requirements: Use Form DS-82 (paid renewal by mail).
• Doesn't meet renewal requirements: Use Form DS-11 (new application, in person).

One important note: even though the State Department now offers online passport renewal, you cannot use the online option if you're changing your name. A name change requires a mail or in-person submission so you can include your certified marriage certificate.

DS-5504 vs DS-82 vs DS-11: Form Comparison Table

The table below compares all three forms side by side so you can identify your path quickly.

When to Use DS-5504 (Name Change Within One Year)

If your most recent passport was issued less than one year ago and your name changed after it was issued, you qualify for the free name-change service through Form DS-5504. This is the simplest and least expensive route.

What to submit

1. Completed Form DS-5504. Print it, then sign and date the form after printing.
2. Your most recent U.S. passport.
3. An original or certified document showing your name change within one year of passport issuance. A certified copy of your marriage certificate is the most common document for newlyweds.
4. One passport photo meeting current State Department photo requirements.

Cost

The State Department does not charge a fee for this service. If you want expedited processing, you'll pay a $60 fee. Mail the completed package to the address listed on the form.

The one-year window is measured from the issue date printed inside your passport, not from the date you got married. Double-check that date before choosing this form.

When to Use DS-82 (Renewal by Mail More Than One Year Later)

If your passport was issued more than a year ago, you'll change your name through a standard renewal by mail using Form DS-82. You'll pay the regular renewal fee, but you can still do everything by mail.

DS-82 eligibility conditions

You must meet all of these to renew by mail:

• You can submit your most recent passport with the application.
• Your passport has never been reported lost or stolen.
• Your passport was issued within the last 15 years.
• Your passport was issued when you were age 16 or older (and was valid for 10 years).
• Your passport is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
• Your passport was issued in your current name, or you can provide a certified name-change document (such as a marriage certificate).

If you meet all six conditions, complete Form DS-82, sign and date it, and mail it with your current passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, and one passport photo.

Remember: online renewal is not available for name changes. You have to submit DS-82 by mail even if you'd otherwise be eligible to renew online.

When to Use DS-11 (Applying in Person)

DS-11 is your path when you don't meet the DS-82 mail-renewal requirements. You're applying essentially as if getting a passport for the first time.

Common reasons you'd need DS-11

• Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• Your passport was issued when you were under age 16.
• Your passport has been lost, stolen, or significantly damaged.
• You've never had a U.S. passport.

How to apply

DS-11 applications must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility (typically a post office, county clerk's office, or library). You'll bring:

1. Completed Form DS-11. Print the form but do not sign it until instructed to do so at the acceptance facility.
2. Evidence of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, etc.).
3. Valid photo ID in your new name (driver's license or state ID) and a photocopy.
4. One passport photo.
5. Fees: Application fee plus a $35 acceptance facility fee.

Page 2 of Form DS-11 has a section for marriage details. Complete that section to connect your previous name to your new name.

If you don't have a certified marriage certificate or court order, you may need to file a separate Form DS-60 (Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name). This form requires two people who have known you by both names and three certified or original public records showing you've used the new name for five years or more.

Passport Name Change Cost, Timeline, and Step-by-Step Checklist

Costs at a glance

Processing timelines

Processing times vary throughout the year. Routine processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, while expedited processing generally runs 2 to 3 weeks. Check the State Department's current processing times before you submit, as seasonal demand can push timelines longer.

Because you must mail in your current passport with any of these forms, plan ahead. You won't have a valid passport while your application is being processed. If you have international travel within three weeks, you may need to make an appointment at a passport agency.

Step-by-step checklist

1. Check your passport's issue date. Open your passport book and look for the "Date of Issue." This determines whether you use DS-5504 or DS-82.
2. Confirm you meet the requirements for your form. Review the DS-82 eligibility list above if your passport is older than one year. If you don't qualify, plan for an in-person DS-11 application.
3. Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This is different from the decorative certificate you may have received at your ceremony. Order a certified copy from the county clerk or vital records office where you were married.
4. Take a compliant passport photo. Requirements include a 2x2 inch color photo with a white background, taken within the last six months.
5. Complete the correct form. Use the State Department's Form Filler tool or download the PDF. Follow signing instructions carefully (DS-5504 and DS-82: sign after printing; DS-11: do not sign until at the acceptance facility).
6. Gather your package. Include the form, your current passport, marriage certificate, photo, and any required fees.
7. Submit. Mail your DS-5504 or DS-82 package to the address on the form, or visit an acceptance facility for DS-11.
8. Track your application. Use the State Department's online status checker with your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Coordinating Your Passport Change With Other Marriage Name Updates

Updating your passport is just one piece of the name-change process after marriage. Getting the order right saves time and avoids mismatched documents.

The generally recommended sequence is:

1. Social Security card. Update your name with the Social Security Administration first. The State Department uses your SSN during processing, and a mismatch can cause delays.
2. Driver's license or state ID. Visit your state's DMV with your new Social Security card and certified marriage certificate.
3. Passport. Once your Social Security record and ID reflect your new name, submit your passport application.
4. Everything else. Bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, employer records, voter registration, and other accounts.

It can feel like a lot to keep track of, but breaking it into a clear sequence makes the whole process manageable. If you and your partner are working through all the financial and legal updates that come with marriage (joint accounts, beneficiary changes, insurance decisions, and more) creating a single checklist that covers everything from name changes to money conversations can help you stay organized and move through it together.