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service@48hourpassport.com
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833-220-0002
Call Us!
833-220-0002
Email Us!
service@48hourpassport.com
Call Us!
833-220-0002
Call Us!
833-220-0002
If your legal name has changed because of marriage, divorce, or a court order, the correct passport procedure depends primarily on when your current passport was issued and when your legal name changed.
48HourPassport.com helps travelers determine the correct form, prepare the supporting documents, and coordinate urgent Courier submission when international travel is approaching.
If both of the following occurred less than one year ago:
you generally use:
Form DS-5504 — Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals
You will normally submit:
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 it has been more than one year since either your passport was issued or your legal name changed, the procedure is different.
If you are eligible to renew your passport, you generally use:
Form DS-82 — U.S. Passport Renewal Application
Submit your current passport and the original or certified legal document showing your name change.
Normal passport renewal fees apply.
If you are not eligible to use Form DS-82, you may need to apply using Form DS-11.
Common documents include:
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.
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.
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.
There is generally no regular 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:
$23.36
If you use Form DS-82, normal adult passport renewal fees apply.
For an urgent passport book renewal, follow the government-payment instructions provided with your current order.
Applicants using Form DS-5504 or DS-82 normally submit their applications without an Acceptance Agent appointment.
An applicant who must use Form DS-11 will need to appear in person before an authorized Passport Acceptance Agent.
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.
Most travelers use the normal two-week urgent-travel window.
A Passport Specialist reviews:
Prepare the correct application, current passport, legal name-change document, photograph, government payment when required, proof of travel, and Legal Passport Letter of Authorization.
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.
The Courier submits the properly prepared qualifying application through the U.S. Passport Agency process.
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.
The name on your airline or cruise reservation should match the name on the passport you will use for travel.
If your passport is being changed to your new legal name, review your travel reservations before departure.
Do not wait until airport check-in to discover a name discrepancy.
If you cannot document your legal name change with a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, additional government requirements may apply.
The State Department may require evidence showing long-term use of the new name and additional affidavits.
Review unusual name-change situations before submitting the passport application.
Common issues include:
The correct form is especially important because the procedure and government fees differ depending on timing.
If your passport was issued less than one year ago and your legal name also changed within that period, you generally use Form DS-5504.
Normally, no.
A qualifying name-change application using DS-5504 has no regular application fee.
Expedited processing and optional expedited return delivery cost extra.
If you are eligible to renew, you generally use Form DS-82 and pay the normal renewal fees.
Normally not for DS-5504 or DS-82.
If your circumstances require Form DS-11, an Acceptance Agent appointment is required.
Submit the original or certified legal name-change document required by the State Department.
A lost passport requires a different procedure. Do not attempt to process it as an ordinary name-change application.
A significantly damaged passport may require Form DS-11 rather than the normal name-change or renewal procedure.
International travel normally must be within two weeks.
If you must obtain a foreign visa before departure, qualifying travel may be within four weeks.
No.
The timeframe refers to Passport Agency processing. Shipping and preparation time are separate.
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.