How much does a passport name change cost?

Form DS-5504 is free when your current passport was issued less than one year ago. A DS-82 mail renewal costs the standard renewal fee, and a DS-11 in-person application adds an execution fee on top of the application fee. Expedited service is an additional fee, and current amounts are published on travel.state.gov.

How long does a passport name change take?

Processing times are set by the State Department and change through the year, so check the current routine and expedited estimates on travel.state.gov before booking travel. Plan on the published routine window plus mailing time in both directions.

Which form do I need?

DS-5504 if your passport was issued within the past year, DS-82 if it was issued within the past 15 years and you were 16 or older at the time, and DS-11 if it is older than that, was lost or damaged, or you have never held a passport.

Why do passport name change applications get returned?

Choosing the wrong form is the leading cause. Others are sending an uncertified marriage certificate, a photo that fails the size or background rules, an unsigned form, or payment by a method the submission channel does not accept.

Can I travel while my passport name change is pending?

Not on the passport you submitted — it is held during processing. If you travel soon after the wedding, book tickets in your current passport name and file the name change after the trip.

Marriage Name Change · Step 02

Passport name change after marriage.

Your passport is your global identity. The form you file depends entirely on how recently your passport was issued — and choosing the wrong one is the single most common reason applications are returned.

Short answer

File DS-5504 (free) if your passport was issued within the last year, DS-82 (renewal by mail, fee applies) if issued within the last 15 years, or DS-11 (in person) if it's older or you've never held one. The passport update is independent of your Social Security card, so you can file it in parallel with your DMV visit. Current processing runs roughly 2–6 weeks; expedited service is available for an extra fee.

Choose the right form

DS-5504 — free, if your current passport was issued within the last year.
DS-82 — renewal by mail, if your passport was issued within the last 15 years and you were over 16 at the time.
DS-11 — in-person application, if your passport is older, damaged, or you've never held one.

What to submit

Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, 10-year passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Naturalization).
Proof of identity — your current, valid driver's license is fine, even if it still shows your maiden name.
Certified marriage certificate as proof of name change.
One passport photo — confirm whether your submission site offers photo services on the day of.
Payment by check or money order (fees vary by form).

Travel with an unaligned name

Airlines require your ticket to match the name on the passport you present. If you're traveling in the weeks after your wedding, book tickets in your maiden name and change the passport after the trip. Do not attempt to travel on a passport whose name doesn't match your boarding pass.

Forms, fees, and timing at a glance

Form	When it applies	Cost
DS-5504	Passport issued less than 1 year ago	Free
DS-82	Issued within 15 years, you were 16+	Standard renewal fee
DS-11	Older, damaged, lost, or first passport	Application fee + execution fee

Fee amounts and routine versus expedited processing windows are set by the State Department and change through the year. Confirm both on travel.state.gov before you book travel, and budget mailing time in both directions.

Common mistakes and rejection reasons

Filing DS-82 when the passport was issued within the past year and DS-5504 would have been free.
Sending an uncertified copy of the marriage certificate.
A photo that fails the size, background, or eyewear rules.
Leaving the form unsigned or undated.
Paying by a method the submission channel does not accept.
Applying just before travel, then discovering the passport is held during processing.

Frequently asked

How much does a passport name change cost?: Form DS-5504 is free when your current passport was issued less than one year ago. A DS-82 mail renewal costs the standard renewal fee, and a DS-11 in-person application adds an execution fee on top of the application fee. Expedited service is an additional fee, and current amounts are published on travel.state.gov.
How long does a passport name change take?: Processing times are set by the State Department and change through the year, so check the current routine and expedited estimates on travel.state.gov before booking travel. Plan on the published routine window plus mailing time in both directions.
Which form do I need?: DS-5504 if your passport was issued within the past year, DS-82 if it was issued within the past 15 years and you were 16 or older at the time, and DS-11 if it is older than that, was lost or damaged, or you have never held a passport.
Why do passport name change applications get returned?: Choosing the wrong form is the leading cause. Others are sending an uncertified marriage certificate, a photo that fails the size or background rules, an unsigned form, or payment by a method the submission channel does not accept.
Can I travel while my passport name change is pending?: Not on the passport you submitted — it is held during processing. If you travel soon after the wedding, book tickets in your current passport name and file the name change after the trip.

Continue the sequence

Step 01

Social Security name change

The keystone step. File this first, and everything else falls into sequence.

Read guide →

Step 03

Driver's license name change

What to bring to the DMV — and the 48-hour SSA reconciliation window.

Read guide →

From the blog

The cost breakdown: true fees for your name change

A transparent breakdown of certified copies, passport, DMV, and Global Entry fees.

Read guide →

See the full roadmap