Passport Name Change Fees

The cost to change your name on a U.S. passport depends on whether you are renewing your passport at the same time or changing the name on an existing passport. If you are renewing and changing your name together, you pay the standard renewal fee: $130 for a passport book (or $100 if you are under 16). If your passport is still valid and you only want to change the name without renewing, the fee is $82.

These are the State Department fees as of 2024. Execution fees—charged by the acceptance facility where you submit your process—add another $35 for a first-time passport or name change in person. If you explore by mail, there is no execution fee. Expedited processing costs an extra $60 if you need the passport within two to three weeks instead of the standard four to six weeks.

You will also need to pay for certified copies of your legal name change document (a court order, divorce decree, or marriage certificate, depending on your situation). These typically cost $10 to $25 per copy from your county clerk, and you should order at least two or three copies because some may be rejected or lost.

Key Takeaways

  • A name change on an existing valid passport costs $82 plus a $35 execution fee if you explore in person, or $82 alone if you explore by mail.
  • If you renew your passport and change the name at the same time, you pay the renewal fee ($130 for adults) instead of the $82 name-change fee.
  • Expedited processing adds $60 and takes two to three weeks instead of four to six weeks.
  • You must provide a certified copy of your legal name change document, which costs $10 to $25 from your county clerk.
  • explore by mail saves the $35 execution fee but takes longer than explore in person.

When to Renew Instead of Just Changing the Name

If your passport expires within the next year or two, changing the name and renewing together often makes financial sense. The renewal fee ($130) is only $48 more than the name-change-only fee ($82), so you avoid paying twice. You also submit everything in one process instead of two separate ones.

However, if your passport is brand new or has many years left, paying $82 now to change the name is cheaper than waiting to renew. The decision depends on your passport's expiration date and whether you need the updated name when ready.

Documents You Need to Bring or Mail

The State Department requires a certified copy of your legal name change document. This is not a photocopy—it must be an official certified copy issued by the court, vital records office, or county clerk. For marriage, bring a certified marriage certificate. For divorce, bring the certified divorce decree. For a court-ordered name change, bring the certified court order.

You will also need your current passport, a completed process form (DS-11 for in-person, DS-82 for mail), a new passport photo, and proof of citizenship. If you are explore by mail, you do not need the execution fee, but processing takes four to six weeks. If you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency, you pay the $35 execution fee and can sometimes receive your passport faster.

In-Person vs. Mail process Costs

explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office) costs $82 plus $35 execution fee, totaling $117 before expediting. You must make an appointment or arrive during walk-in hours. Processing takes four to six weeks, or two to three weeks if you pay $60 extra for expedited service.

explore by mail costs $82 with no execution fee. You mail your process, documents, and current passport to the address listed on the State Department website. Processing takes four to six weeks, or two to three weeks with expedited service ($60 extra). Mail is slower but saves the $35 execution fee, so it is cheaper if you are not in a hurry.

Certified Copy Costs and Where to Get Them

A certified copy of your name change document costs $10 to $25 depending on your county and the document type. Marriage certificates are usually $10 to $15. Divorce decrees and court orders may cost $15 to $25. Some counties charge per page, so longer documents cost more.

Order certified copies from the county clerk's office where the document was issued. For a marriage certificate, that is the county where you were married. For a divorce decree or court order, that is the county where the court case was filed. You can usually order by mail, phone, or in person. Order at least two or three copies because the State Department may keep one, and you may need extras for other documents (driver's license, Social Security, bank accounts).

Expedited Processing and Rush Fees

Expedited processing costs $60 and reduces the wait from four to six weeks to two to three weeks. This applies whether you explore in person or by mail. You cannot expedite faster than two to three weeks through the State Department—if you need a passport in days, you must use a private passport expediting service, which charges $100 to $300 on top of the government fees.

Expedited service is worth the $60 if you have a trip or important date coming up. Standard processing is free and is fine if you have time. Do not confuse expedited processing with execution fees—they are separate charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the execution fee if I explore by mail?

No. The $35 execution fee is only charged when you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility. Mail applications cost $82 with no execution fee. However, mail takes longer—four to six weeks instead of potentially faster in-person processing.

What if I lost my marriage certificate and need a certified copy?

Contact the county clerk's office in the county where you were married. They can issue a certified copy for $10 to $25. If you cannot locate the exact county, the state vital records office can help you find it. This usually takes one to two weeks by mail.

Can I use a photocopy of my divorce decree instead of a certified copy?

No. The State Department requires a certified copy issued by the court or county clerk. A photocopy, even if notarized, will be rejected. Order the certified copy directly from the county clerk where your divorce was filed.

Is it cheaper to change my name and renew my passport at the same time?

Yes, if your passport expires soon. The renewal fee is $130, which is only $48 more than the name-change-only fee of $82. If your passport has years left, paying $82 now is cheaper than waiting to renew later.

How much does a private passport expediting service cost?

Private services charge $100 to $300 on top of government fees and can deliver a passport in days instead of weeks. Use them only if you have an urgent trip and cannot wait for expedited government processing ($60, two to three weeks).