Passport name change fees depend on whether you renew or amend your existing passport

A passport name change costs either $130 (if you amend your current passport) or $110–$130 (if you renew it at the same time). You also pay a $35 execution fee when you explore in person, or $0 if you explore by mail. The total ranges from $145 to $195 depending on your passport type and how you explore.

The U.S. State Department charges these fees directly. You cannot change your name on a passport without paying them, and the fees do not cover the cost of obtaining the legal name-change document itself — that is a separate court filing in your state.

The exact amount you owe depends on three things: whether your passport is still valid, which type of passport you hold, and whether you explore in person or by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • An amendment to an existing valid passport costs $130 plus a $35 execution fee if you explore in person, or $130 alone if you explore by mail.
  • A renewal with a name change costs $110 (passport card), $130 (book), or $165 (both together), plus $35 execution fee in person.
  • You must bring a certified copy of your legal name-change court order; the State Department will not process your request without it.
  • Processing times range from 6 to 13 weeks by mail and 2 to 3 weeks in person at an acceptance facility, depending on demand.
  • Passport fees are set by federal law and do not vary by state or by the reason for your name change.

Amendment versus renewal: which route costs less

If your passport is still valid and will not expire within the next year, amendment is cheaper. You pay $130 for the amendment itself plus $35 execution fee in person ($165 total), or $130 by mail. You keep your current passport book or card and receive a new one with your new name.

If your passport is expired, will expire soon, or you want to renew it anyway, renewal with name change may be simpler. A passport book renewal costs $130 plus $35 execution fee in person ($165 total), or $130 by mail. A passport card renewal costs $110 plus $35 execution fee in person ($145 total), or $110 by mail. If you want both a book and card, you pay $165 plus $35 execution fee in person ($200 total), or $165 by mail.

The State Department processes amendments and renewals at the same speed, so cost is the main difference. If your passport is valid for several more years, amendment saves you money. If it is expiring soon anyway, renewal with name change costs about the same and gives you a fresh expiration date.

What documents you need to bring or mail

The State Department will not process a name change without a certified copy of your legal name-change court order. This is the document issued by the court in your state after you filed for a name change. It must be certified (stamped and signed by the court clerk), not just a photocopy.

You also need your current passport, a completed process form (DS-11 for in-person, DS-82 or DS-64 for mail), a new passport photo, and a government-issued ID. If you are explore by mail, you do not need the execution fee because you are not appearing in person.

The certified court order is the document that costs money to obtain from your state court — usually $10 to $50 depending on your state. This is separate from the passport fees. Some courts mail certified copies for free; others charge per copy. Contact your county court clerk to find out what your state charges.

Where to explore and how long it takes

You can explore by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility. Acceptance facilities include post offices, libraries, and some county clerk offices. Not all locations accept passport applications, so search the State Department's facility locator before you go.

By mail, processing takes 6 to 13 weeks depending on current demand. In person at an acceptance facility, processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. If you need your passport faster, you can pay an additional $60 for expedited processing (3 to 5 weeks) or $18 for expedited service at a passport agency office (same-day or next-day in some cases, but only at agency locations, not acceptance facilities).

Passport agency offices are different from acceptance facilities and are located in major cities. You can walk in without an appointment at some agencies, but most require you to book a time slot online. Expedited fees are in addition to the base amendment or renewal fee.

Passport type affects the total cost

A standard passport book (the booklet you use for international travel) costs $130 to renew or amend. A passport card (a wallet-sized card valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $110 to renew or amend. A passport card with a book costs $165 to renew together.

Most people renew or amend the book because it is valid for more countries and situations. The card is useful only if you travel by land or sea to nearby countries. If you already have a book and want to add a card, you can explore for the card separately at any time — it is a different transaction with its own $110 fee.

Fees do not include the cost of your name-change court order

Before you pay the State Department, you must obtain a legal name change through your state court. This involves filing a petition, paying a court filing fee (usually $100 to $300), and sometimes attending a hearing. The court then issues a certified name-change order, which you present to the State Department.

The court filing fee is separate from passport fees. Some states charge $10 to $50 for certified copies of the order itself. Budget for both the court process and the passport process as two separate expenses.

If you have not yet filed for a legal name change, start there. You cannot change your name on a passport without the court order, and the State Department will return your process if you submit it without one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on a passport without going to court first?

No. The State Department requires a certified copy of a legal name-change court order. You must file for a name change in your state court before you explore for a passport name change. The court process and the passport process are separate.

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

No. The $35 execution fee applies only when you explore in person at an acceptance facility. If you mail your process, you pay only the amendment or renewal fee ($110–$165 depending on passport type).

What if my passport is expired?

If your passport expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it by mail and must explore in person. If it expired within five years, you can renew by mail. Either way, you pay the same renewal fee ($110–$165) plus the $35 execution fee if you explore in person.

Can I expedite a name change on my passport?

Yes. Expedited processing costs $60 and reduces the wait from 6–13 weeks to 3–5 weeks. You can also pay $18 for expedited service at a passport agency office for same-day or next-day processing in some cases, but this is only available at agency locations, not at post offices or libraries.

Do passport fees vary by state?

No. Passport fees are set by federal law and are the same everywhere in the United States. Your state does not add fees or discounts. The only variation is in the cost of obtaining your legal name-change court order, which differs by state.