Updating your passport after a name change due to marriage is essential for international travel. The process and cost depend on when your current passport was issued.
16 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine Which Form to Use
- Form DS-5504 (Free): Passport issued less than 12 months ago — use this for a free name correction
- Form DS-82 (Renewal, $130): Passport issued more than 12 months ago but less than 15 years ago, and you have the passport in your possession
- Form DS-11 (New Application, $165): Passport is over 15 years old, is damaged, or you cannot provide proof of legal name change
- Gather Required Documents
- Current US passport (will be retained during processing)
- Certified copy of marriage certificate (original, not a photocopy)
- One recent passport photo meeting US requirements (2x2 inches, white background)
- Completed application form (DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11)
- Complete the Application
2. Key Details
- Cost: Free (DS-5504) to $165 (DS-11); add $60 for expedited processing
- Processing time: 8-11 weeks standard; 4-6 weeks expedited
- New passport number: Yes — when a name changes, you receive a completely new passport with a new number
- Cannot travel during processing: Your current passport is retained; plan accordingly
- Passport card: Can also be updated simultaneously for an additional fee ($30 renewal, $65 new)
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck: Must be updated separately after receiving new passport
Common Mistakes
- Not updating Social Security and driver's license before the passport (SSA sh...
- Shipping documents via FedEx or UPS instead of USPS for mail-in applications
- Not planning around the processing time — you cannot travel internationally w...
- Submitting a photocopy of the marriage certificate instead of a certified ori...
- Forgetting to update Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and airline loyalty accounts...
Pro Tips
- If your passport was issued within 12 months, take advantage of the free name...
- If you have international travel planned, expedite processing and consider sc...
- Keep a copy of your old passport number — you may need it for records or trav...
- After receiving the new passport, update: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, airline...
- Consider getting a passport card ($30 additional) for land/sea border crossin...