The cost of a name change on your passport

A name change on a U.S. passport costs $130 for a replacement passport book if you are 16 or older. This is the standard replacement fee. You will also need to pay a $35 execution fee if you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or courthouse), bringing your total to $165. If you explore by mail, you skip the execution fee and pay only the $130 replacement cost.

The fee covers the new passport document itself. It does not cover the cost of obtaining the court order or certified copy of your name change decree, which you must provide to the passport agency. That cost varies by state and county — typically between $10 and $50 for certified copies, plus any court filing fees if you need to go through the legal name change process first.

Passport cards (the wallet-sized version) cost $65 to replace if you already have a valid passport book. If you want both a book and a card together, the combined cost is $165 total, not $165 plus $65.

Key Takeaways

  • A replacement passport book costs $130, plus a $35 execution fee if you explore in person, for a total of $165.
  • You must provide a certified copy of your court-ordered name change before the passport agency will issue a new passport.
  • explore by mail costs $130 only (no execution fee), but takes longer than explore in person.
  • Passport cards cost $65 to replace if you already hold a valid passport book.
  • Fees do not include the cost of obtaining your name change court order or certified copies, which varies by state.

What documents you need to bring

The passport agency requires a certified copy of your court order or certified copy of your name change decree before they will issue a new passport. This is not optional. You cannot proceed without it, even if you have already changed your name legally.

You will also need your current passport, a completed process form (Form DS-11 if explore in person, or Form DS-82 if explore by mail), a new photo, and a valid government-issued ID. The passport agency does not accept photocopies of your name change order — it must be a certified copy issued by the court clerk.

If you are explore by mail, you can mail your old passport along with the certified name change order and your process. If you are explore in person, bring everything to the acceptance facility in one visit.

In-person versus mail process

explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office or library) costs $165 total and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for routine processing. You can pay an additional $60 for expedited processing, which cuts the time to 2 to 3 weeks. You cannot request expedited service by mail.

explore by mail costs $130 and takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine processing, or 2 to 3 weeks with expedited service (add $60). Mail applications are slower because your documents travel to a processing center, and you cannot track progress as easily.

Choose in-person if you need your passport within a month or want to hand over your documents directly. Choose mail if you have time and prefer not to visit a facility in person. Either way, you must have your certified name change order before you start.

State and county fees for the name change order itself

Before you pay the passport agency, you need a certified copy of your court-ordered name change. The cost of obtaining this document depends entirely on your state and county. Some courts charge $10 to $15 for a certified copy; others charge $30 to $50. A few counties include the certified copy in the initial court filing fee, so you may not pay extra.

If you have not yet gone through the legal name change process, you will also pay court filing fees, which range from $50 to $300 depending on your state. Some states offer reduced or waived fees if you meet income requirements. Contact your county clerk's office or district court to learn the exact cost in your area.

The passport agency has no control over these fees and cannot reduce them. Plan to budget for both the court costs and the passport replacement fee separately.

Expedited processing and rush fees

If you need your passport quickly, you can pay $60 for expedited processing, which reduces the wait from 6 to 8 weeks down to 2 to 3 weeks. This works whether you explore in person or by mail. Expedited processing is not a may provide of a specific date — it is a priority queue.

There is no "rush" option beyond expedited. The passport agency does not offer same-day or next-day service for name changes. If you have an international trip in less than 2 weeks, expedited processing may not be fast enough; contact your nearest passport agency office by phone to discuss your situation.

Expedited fees are in addition to the base $130 replacement fee. Your total with expedited service would be $190 if explore in person ($130 + $35 execution + $60 expedited) or $190 if explore by mail ($130 + $60 expedited).

What happens if you lose your passport during a name change

If your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot straightforward mail it in with your name change order. You must report the loss to the passport agency and explore for a replacement, which costs the same $130 (plus $35 execution fee in person). You will still need your certified name change order.

The process is the same as a routine name change replacement — you fill out the process, provide the certified order, and submit a new photo. The passport agency will note the loss in their system, but it does not change the fee or timeline.

Passport cards and combined book-and-card applications

A passport card is a wallet-sized document valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If you already have a valid passport book and want to add a card with your new name, the card costs $65 to replace.

If you want both a new book and a new card together (because you are changing your name), you pay $165 total, not $165 plus $65. This is the combined fee for both documents. You still need your certified name change order for both.

Passport cards take the same processing time as books — 4 to 6 weeks routine, 2 to 3 weeks expedited. You can request both documents in a single process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my passport if I change my name?

No, it is not legally required. However, your passport must match your legal name for international travel. If your legal name has changed but your passport has not, you may face delays at the airport or border. Most people change their passport to avoid this problem.

Can I change my name on my passport without a court order?

No. The passport agency requires a certified copy of a court-ordered name change. You cannot change your name on a passport through marriage, divorce, or common use alone — you must have the court document.

How long does it take to get a passport with a name change?

Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks if you explore in person, or 6 to 8 weeks by mail. Expedited processing (add $60) takes 2 to 3 weeks either way. These are estimates; actual times vary by season and passport agency workload.

Can I use my old passport while waiting for the new one?

Your old passport remains valid for travel until it expires, even if your legal name has changed. However, your name on the passport must match your legal name and your travel documents (airline ticket, hotel reservation). Mismatches can cause problems at check-in or the border.

What if I am changing my name and my passport is expiring soon?

You can explore for a replacement with your name change at any time, even if your current passport is not expired. You will pay the $130 replacement fee, not a renewal fee. This is often worth doing if your passport expires within a year, so you do not have to explore twice.