Travel Tips

The reasons for changing your name are many. You may do this as a result of a marriage or divorce, and it may also be as a choice regarding a career. No matter what the reason for changing your name, you will want to change all of your legal documents as well. This includes changing your name on your passport. A passport name change is simple, but the process will vary depending on how long you have had your passport.

A passport name change and a name change on your license and other legal documents are required by law. These changes will include your social security card and state identification. It will be necessary to prove that your name has been changed and what your name was originally.

You do not, however, want to get rid of your old documents. You may need these at a later time, such as processing a license in another state if you relocate. Several states make it necessary to provide documentation of your previous name when applying for a license in that state.

Completing a passport name change can be done in different ways. The method used will be based on how long you have had your passport. This length of time also affects the fee for the name change on the document.

In the case that it has been less than a year since you received your original passport, you may process the name change with a form DS-5504. This form will need to be completely filled out and mailed in to the proper address along with a certified copy of your marriage certificate or decree for a name change. In some cases it may be necessary to provide two recent pictures.

If it has been less than a year since you obtained your original passport then there will not be a fee for processing your passport name change. This information and documentation needs to be addressed to the National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90107, Philadelphia, PA, 19190-0107.

If you have had your passport in excess of a year, then you will need to handle your passport name change in a different manner. DS-82 is the correct form for this process. This form will require a fee and also two recent and correctly sized color pictures. This form gets mailed to the address indicated on the application.

Keep in mind that all of your documentation for processing a name change needs to be certified copies. This means that Photostatted copies that have been notarized will not be accepted by the passport department. Consequently if you do not have the proper documentation, you will need to obtain documentation prior to sending in the proper application.

If you need your marriage certificate or divorce decree you can contact the record department for the county clerk of courts. Keep in mind that the U.S. passport name change typically takes three to four weeks to receive your United States passport. You may attempt to speed this up by paying an expedite fee or contacting the office of your state Congressional representative if there is an immediate need for assistance.

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