Legal Name Change Within the First Year of Your Passport

This service is for a legal name change after marriage, divorce, or a court order during the first year of your current passport. Submit the name-change application within that first year using Form DS-5504. The government charges no passport application fee; expedited processing, return shipping, and our Courier service are separate charges.

Name Change Within One Year

If both of the following occurred less than one year ago:

Your current passport was issued
Your legal name changed

Use:

Form DS-5504 — Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals

Submit:

Completed Form DS-5504
Your current U.S. passport
Original or certified legal name-change document
One current passport photo
Proof of international departure for urgent processing
Legal Passport Letter of Authorization
Any additional documents required for your situation

Qualifying DS-5504 name changes do not require the normal passport application fee.

Optional expedited processing and expedited return delivery involve additional government charges.

If Your Passport Is More Than One Year Old

To put your new legal name on a passport that is more than one year old, renew it early and include your original or certified legal name-change document. Standard renewal fees apply.

Example: Your passport is 18 months old when you marry and legally change your name. You renew early to receive a passport in your new name.

Follow our Passport Renewal Instructions if this describes your situation.

Acceptable Legal Name-Change Documents

Common documents include:

Certified marriage certificate
Certified divorce decree showing the legal name change
Certified court order changing your name

The document must establish the legal change from the name shown on your current passport to the name you now use.

Do not rely on an ordinary photocopy or digital image when an original or certified document is required.

Your Current Passport

Submit your current U.S. passport with the name-change application.

The passport should be available and in acceptable condition.

If your passport has been lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, a different passport procedure may apply.

Passport Photo

Submit one current passport photograph that meets U.S. Department of State requirements.

The photograph must be 2 × 2 inches, taken within the last six months, show your current appearance, have a white or off-white background, and not be digitally or AI altered.

Government Fees

DS-5504 — Qualifying Name Change Within One Year

There is no government passport application fee for a qualifying DS-5504 name change.

If expedited processing is requested, the current expedited-service fee is:

$60

Optional 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book is currently:

$26.87

No Acceptance Agent Appointment

A qualifying DS-5504 name-change application does not require an Acceptance Agent appointment.

Proof of International Departure

Urgent Passport Agency processing normally applies when international travel is within two weeks.

If your destination requires you to obtain a foreign visa before travel, qualifying travel may be within four weeks.

How the 48HourPassport.com Name-Change Process Works

1. Determine Which Form Applies

A Passport Specialist reviews:

When your current passport was issued
When your legal name changed
Your international departure date

2. Gather the Supporting Documents

Prepare the correct application, current passport, legal name-change document, photograph, government payment when required, proof of travel, and Legal Passport Letter of Authorization.

3. Ship the Application to the Courier

Follow the shipping instructions provided with your current order.

Use the Courier address supplied specifically for your application.

Retain your tracking number and confirm delivery.

4. Courier Submission

The Courier submits the properly prepared qualifying application through the U.S. Passport Agency process.

5. Passport Agency Review

The U.S. Department of State reviews the application and makes the final decision regarding passport issuance.

Our urgent service is designed to achieve approximately 2–3 days of Passport Agency processing, plus return shipping time.

Your Passport Name and Airline Ticket

You do not have to change your passport immediately after a legal name change. The name on your airline ticket must match the name on the valid passport you use for travel. Book in your passport name if you will travel before updating it.

Call a Passport Specialist if you do not have an original or certified document establishing your legal name change.

Common Name-Change Problems

Common issues include:

Using DS-5504 when more than one year has passed
Missing original or certified name-change documentation
Name on travel reservation not matching the passport
Missing current passport
Incorrect government payment
Passport photo problems
Missing proof of urgent international travel

The correct form is especially important because the procedure and government fees differ depending on timing.

Related Resources

Need an Urgent Passport Name Change?

If your legal name has changed and international travel is approaching:

Call 833-220-0002

Email: service@48hourpassport.com

Have your current passport, legal name-change date, passport issuance date, and international departure date available.

48HourPassport.com is a division of Legal Passport LLC.