Question 1

There's a typo or printing error on my passport — how do I fix it?

Accepted Answer

Good news — Form DS-5504 covers data corrections including misspelled names, wrong birthdates, incorrect gender markers, and other printing errors, as long as your passport was issued within the last 12 months. The correction carries no government fee from the State Department. You'll need proof of the correct information (birth certificate or official record), your current passport, and a new passport photo. Do NOT sign the DS-5504 form in advance — you must sign in front of a notary public or authorized representative.

Question 2

I got married right after my new passport arrived — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Perfect timing — you're within the DS-5504 window! Since your passport was issued less than 12 months ago, you can use Form DS-5504 to update your name at no government cost. You'll need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your current passport, and a new passport photo. Fill out DS-5504 with your new married name, but remember — DO NOT sign until you're in front of a notary or authorized expediter representative. Mail everything in and your updated passport comes back with your new name.

Question 3

My passport is more than a year old and my name changed — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

DS-5504 doesn't apply past the 1-year mark, so you'll need a standard passport renewal with name change instead. Visit our Passport Renewal page — you'll use Form DS-82 and include your certified name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your current passport and a new photo. The renewal carries a government fee, unlike DS-5504 where the government fee is waived.

Question 4

Do I need to get this notarized?

Accepted Answer

Yes — but not in the way you might think. Form DS-5504 requires your signature to be witnessed, but you must NOT sign the form in advance. Your signature must happen in front of a notary public, a passport acceptance agent, or an authorized expediter representative. If you sign beforehand, your application will be rejected.

Question 5

I just got married — how do I change the name on my passport?

Accepted Answer

Congratulations! If your passport was issued less than 12 months ago, use Form DS-5504 — no government fee is required. You'll need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, a new passport photo, and your current passport. Fill out DS-5504 with your new married name, but do NOT sign the form in advance — you must sign in front of a notary public, passport acceptance agent, or authorized expediter representative. Our team will review everything before submission and guide you through the process. If your passport is older than 12 months, you'll need a renewal instead — visit our Passport Renewal page.

Question 6

What's the difference between DS-5504 and DS-82 for name changes?

Accepted Answer

DS-5504 is the form you use when your passport was issued less than 12 months ago. It covers name changes (marriage, divorce, court order) and data corrections (printing errors like misspelled names or wrong birthdates) — no government fee is required. DS-82 is a separate passport renewal form used when your passport was issued 1–15 years ago, and carries the standard government renewal fee. This page covers DS-5504 only. For renewals, see our Passport Renewal page.

Question 7

How long does a passport name change take?

Accepted Answer

Standard processing takes 4–6 weeks through the government. With our expedited courier service, you can get your updated passport in 2–3 weeks. For emergency travel, rush service can deliver in as fast as 24 hours. DS-5504 processing follows the same timeline as other passport services.

Question 8

I got divorced — can I change my passport back to my maiden name?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using Form DS-5504 if your passport was issued within the last 12 months. Include a certified copy of your divorce decree that specifically states you are reverting to your former/maiden name. If the decree doesn't specify the name change, you may need a certified court order. The government fee is waived with DS-5504 — no government fee is required from the State Department. If your passport is older than 12 months, you'll need a renewal through our Passport Renewal page.

Question 9

Can I travel internationally if my passport name doesn't match my ticket?

Accepted Answer

No — and this is critical. Airlines are required to verify that the name on your passport matches the name on your ticket exactly. If you book a ticket under your new married name but your passport still shows your maiden name, the airline can and will deny boarding. This is the most common reason newlyweds rush to update their passports.

Question 10

What documents prove my name change for passport purposes?

Accepted Answer

The State Department accepts three types of name change documentation: a certified marriage certificate showing your new legal name, a certified divorce decree if reverting to a former name, or a court order for any court-ordered name change. The document must be a certified copy issued by the official records office — photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.

Question 11

Will I get my old passport back after a name change?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The U.S. Department of State returns your old passport separately with a cancellation stamp. Your old passport is no longer valid for travel but serves as a personal record. Your certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order will also be returned to you along with the old passport.

Question 12

I changed my name through a court order — what do I need?

Accepted Answer

You need a certified copy of the court order that legally changed your name. The court order must be from a U.S. court and must clearly state both your previous name and your new legal name. Include this with your DS-5504 application.

Question 13

My passport was issued less than a year ago — is the name change really free?

Accepted Answer

The government fee is waived! If your passport was issued within the last 12 months and you're changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, Form DS-5504 lets you update it without paying the government application fee. You still pay for our service fee and shipping, but the State Department fee is waived. Don't miss the 1-year window.

Question 14

Can I update both my passport book and passport card with the name change?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can request both a passport book and passport card with your updated name on the same DS-5504 form. Just check the appropriate boxes. If you only have a passport card and need to update the name, the same process applies.

Question 15

What if my marriage certificate doesn't clearly show my new name?

Accepted Answer

This can be an issue with some older or foreign marriage certificates. The State Department requires the document to clearly link your old name to your new legal name. If your marriage certificate only lists maiden names or doesn't explicitly state your new married name, you may need a supplemental document. Our review team can assess your specific certificate before you submit.

Question 16

I have a hyphenated last name now — how does that work?

Accepted Answer

If your hyphenated name is your legal name as shown on your marriage certificate or court order, you can use it on your passport. Enter your full hyphenated last name in the last name field on the form. The key is that your legal documentation must support whatever name you put on the application.

Question 17

What if my passport was issued more than 15 years ago and I need a name change?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, if your passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you cannot use DS-5504 for a name change. You must apply in person using Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility. This is essentially a new passport application with name change documentation included. Visit our New Passport page to learn about the DS-11 in-person process.

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