Passport Name Change After Marriage: Form, Fee, Timing
Passport name change after marriage has 3 paths depending on when you apply. DS-5504 is free if within 1 year. Here's which form you need and what to bring.
TL;DR
After getting married and legally changing your name, you have three ways to update your passport: DS-5504 (free, within 1 year of issue), DS-82 (standard mail renewal, $130 if your passport is 1–15 years old), or DS-11 (in person, if you’re not eligible for mail-in). The right path depends on how old your current passport is.
At a glance
- DS-5504 (free): Passport issued less than 1 year ago; mailed in
- DS-82 ($130): Passport issued 1–15 years ago, undamaged, issued age 16+; mailed in
- DS-11 (in person): All other situations (passport issued before age 16, damaged, expired 15+ years)
- Processing time: 4–6 weeks routine; 2–3 weeks expedited (all paths)
- Required documents: Certified marriage certificate, current passport, new photo, government fee
- Book travel: Under the name on your current passport until the update is complete
Why name mismatches cause problems
Your passport, airline ticket, and travel documents should all show the same name. Most airlines require the name on your ticket to match the name on the passport you’re traveling with — exactly, including middle names in some cases.
After marriage, many people update their driver’s license quickly (often required within 30–90 days in their state) but let the passport slide. That creates a mismatch: updated driver’s license showing new name, passport still showing former name. As long as you book travel under the passport name, this isn’t immediately a problem. But it does get confusing, and some international border agents flag inconsistencies.
The simplest path is to update the passport as soon as practical. The three forms make this easier than most people expect.
Path 1: DS-5504 — free if within 1 year
Form DS-5504 is a limited-correction form that covers name changes due to marriage, divorce, or court order — as long as the passport was issued within the last 12 months.
Who qualifies:
- You are 16 or older
- Your current passport was issued less than 1 year ago
- You have a certified marriage certificate (original or court-certified copy)
What you send in:
- Completed DS-5504
- Your current (less than 1-year-old) passport
- Certified marriage certificate (original; it will be returned)
- New passport photo
- No fee for the replacement passport
The catch: Most newlyweds don’t get around to this quickly enough. If your passport was issued 13 months ago and you just got married last month, DS-5504 doesn’t apply. DS-82 is your path.
Path 2: DS-82 — standard mail renewal ($130)
Form DS-82 is the standard mail-in passport renewal form. For name changes, it works the same way as any renewal — you’re getting a new passport with your new name.
Who qualifies:
- Your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older
- The passport was issued less than 15 years ago
- The passport is in your possession and undamaged
- Your name change is documented with a certified marriage certificate
What you send in:
- Completed DS-82
- Your current passport (returned to you, voided, with the new one)
- Certified marriage certificate (original; returned to you)
- New passport photo
- Government fee: as of April 2026, $130 for a book or $30 for a card (verify at travel.state.gov)
DS-82 is mailed to a lockbox address — no acceptance facility appointment needed. Processing takes the same 4–6 weeks as any renewal.
If you want both a passport book and a passport card with the new name, you can apply for both simultaneously. The card fee is $30 additional (or $15 if you already have a book and are just adding the card). See Passport Card vs Passport Book for a comparison of when you’d want both.
Path 3: DS-11 — in person when mail-in isn’t available
If you don’t qualify for DS-5504 or DS-82, you apply in person at an acceptance facility using DS-11. This is the same form used for first-time applicants.
Common situations that require DS-11:
- Your most recent passport was issued before you turned 16 (even if you’re now an adult)
- Your passport is damaged and cannot be submitted
- Your passport expired more than 15 years ago
- Your name has changed and you don’t have the prior passport
DS-11 in person doesn’t affect the outcome — you still get the same 10-year passport. It just requires an appointment at an acceptance facility (library, post office, or county clerk’s office) and the same acceptance fee ($35) on top of the execution fee.
The marriage certificate requirement
All three paths require a certified marriage certificate — not a photocopy, not the decorative certificate from the ceremony. A certified marriage certificate has an official seal from the issuing government authority (typically a county clerk or state vital records office) and is printed on security paper or bears a raised seal.
The State Department typically returns certified documents to you. Turnaround is the same as passport processing.
If your name was changed through a court order (legal name change, divorce decree restoring a former name, or gender-marker name change), a certified copy of the court order substitutes for the marriage certificate.
Traveling with your old-name passport after marriage
If you have an upcoming trip and the passport update won’t arrive in time, you can travel on your current (old-name) passport. A valid passport is a valid travel document regardless of whether your legal name has changed.
A few practical rules:
- Book your airline ticket under your passport name — not your new legal name. Your ticket must match your passport, not your driver’s license.
- If you’ve already legally changed your name everywhere else and your passport still shows your former name, bring your marriage certificate. Some international destinations and airlines ask questions when names across documents differ.
- Some countries require that your passport be valid for six months beyond your travel date — check destination requirements before booking.
Once the new passport arrives, your old one is returned to you, voided. It’s not valid for travel but makes a nice keepsake.
| Path | Who qualifies | Fee | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS-5504 | Passport < 1 year old | Free | |
| DS-82 | Passport 1–15 yrs, issued age 16+, undamaged | $130 book / $30 card | |
| DS-11 | All others | $130 + $35 acceptance fee | In person |
Common pitfalls
- Booking travel under the new legal name before the passport is updated. Your ticket name must match your passport, not your license.
- Using a photocopy of the marriage certificate. Only certified originals are accepted.
- Assuming you qualify for DS-5504 when your passport is 13 months old. DS-5504 is for passports issued within the last 12 months — it’s a strict cutoff.
- Not updating the passport card separately. If you have both a passport book and a passport card, updating one doesn’t update the other. You need separate applications.
- Sending both the passport and the marriage certificate without making copies. Keep copies of everything you mail, including the passport data page.
What to do next
Check your passport’s issue date and decide which path applies to your situation. If your passport is less than a year old, DS-5504 is free and straightforward. If it’s older, DS-82 is the standard mail-in path. Either way, gather a certified copy of your marriage certificate before you start — that’s often the piece that takes the most time to obtain.
The egovrush passport service can handle the full name-change application: determining which form you need, reviewing your documents, and tracking the application through to delivery. Start a passport name change and we’ll take it from there.
Sources: Passport Name Change — travel.state.gov, DS-82 eligibility — travel.state.gov. Requirements verified April 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a passport name change after marriage take?
All three paths take 4–6 weeks at routine speed, or 2–3 weeks expedited. The method (DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11) doesn’t significantly affect turnaround.
Can I travel on my old-name passport after getting married?
Yes, as long as the passport is valid. Book your airline ticket under the name on your passport — not your new legal name — until the update is complete.
What is Form DS-5504?
DS-5504 is a free name-correction form for passports issued within the last year. It covers name changes due to marriage, divorce, or court order and doesn’t require a renewal fee.
Do I need to send in my current passport?
Yes. All three paths require submitting your current passport. It’s returned to you voided along with the new one.
What if my airline ticket is under my maiden name but my passport now shows my married name?
Contact the airline to update the ticket before travel. Most airlines will do this for free with documentation of the name change.
Does my passport name need to match my REAL ID?
Not legally, but consistent documentation across all IDs avoids complications at TSA checkpoints and with airlines. Update all documents together when practical.
Need help with your passport application?
We handle the form, photo check, and tracking. Pay only after eligibility is confirmed.
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