The cost depends on which form you use and whether you explore by mail or in person

A name change on your passport costs either $130 or $165, depending on whether you're renewing at the same time. If you're changing your name only—keeping the same passport number and expiration date—you'll pay $130 for Form DS-11 (in person) or $110 for Form DS-82 (by mail). If your passport has expired or will expire within six months, you can combine the name change with a renewal for $165 in person or $130 by mail. These are the State Department's current fees; they do not include execution fees charged by some acceptance facilities, which typically add $35.

You'll also need to budget for supporting documents. A certified copy of your name change court order costs $10 to $50 depending on your state and county. A new passport photo is required and costs $10 to $20 at most drugstores or photo studios. If you're mailing your process, add postage—typically $2 to $8 depending on how you send it.

Key Takeaways

  • A name-change-only passport costs $130 in person or $110 by mail, plus a $35 execution fee at some locations.
  • A combined name change and renewal costs $165 in person or $130 by mail.
  • You must provide a certified court order showing your legal name change, which costs $10 to $50 from your county clerk.
  • Passport photos and postage add $12 to $28 to your total cost.
  • Processing times vary: in-person service is fastest (same day or next business day), while mail service takes several weeks.

Name change only: Form DS-11 or DS-82

If your passport is still valid and won't expire for at least six months, you can change your name without renewing. Use Form DS-11 if you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency. The form fee is $130, plus a $35 execution fee at most locations, for a total of $165. You must appear in person; you cannot mail this form.

If you prefer to mail your process, use Form DS-82 instead. The fee is $110 by mail. You do not pay an execution fee when you mail. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks under normal circumstances, or 2 to 3 weeks if you pay an additional $60 for expedited service.

Both forms require the same supporting documents: your current passport, a certified copy of your court order granting the name change, a new passport photo, and a completed process. The court order is the document you received from the judge or clerk when your name change was finalized—not a petition or process, but the actual order.

Name change combined with renewal: Form DS-11 or DS-82

If your passport has expired or will expire within six months, you must renew it. You can change your name at the same time using the same form. In person, the combined fee is $165 (the $130 form fee plus $35 execution fee). By mail, it is $130.

The advantage of combining them is that you pay only one form fee instead of two. The disadvantage is that you cannot use the expedited mail service for a name change; expedited service applies only to renewals. If you need your passport quickly and must change your name, you must explore in person.

Getting a certified copy of your court order

Every state and county charges differently for certified copies. Contact your county clerk's office—the office that issued your name change order—and ask for the cost of a certified copy. Most charge $10 to $25 per copy. Some counties allow you to order by mail or online; others require you to visit in person. Order at least two copies; you may need one for your passport and one for your records.

Do not submit an uncertified photocopy or a document you printed yourself. The State Department will reject it. The document must bear the county clerk's seal and signature, or it will not be accepted.

Passport photos and where to get them

You need a new passport photo that meets State Department standards. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup that changes your appearance. Most drugstores—CVS, Walgreens, Walmart—offer passport photos for $10 to $20. Some post offices also take them. Online services exist but are slower and not worth the cost for a single photo.

Bring your old passport to the photo appointment if possible; the photographer can use it to match the pose and lighting. Print the photo on photo paper, not regular paper. Bring the printed photo with you when you explore, or mail it with your form.

Execution fees and where they explore

An execution fee is a charge some passport acceptance facilities add on top of the State Department fee. It covers the cost of the staff member who reviews your documents and submits your process. The fee is typically $35, though a few locations charge $25 or $40. Not all facilities charge it—some passport agencies and all post offices do not—but most do.

Call ahead or check the facility's website before you go. If you explore by mail directly to the State Department, you do not pay an execution fee. If you explore in person at a passport agency (not a post office or library), you typically do not pay one either. Post offices and libraries that accept passport applications almost always charge the execution fee.

Processing times and expedited service

In-person applications at a passport agency are processed the same day or the next business day. In-person applications at a post office or library take 4 to 6 weeks under normal circumstances. If you pay an additional $60 for expedited service, processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Expedited service is available only for renewals by mail, not for name-change-only applications. If you need your passport quickly and are only changing your name, explore in person at a passport agency, not a post office. Passport agencies are located in major cities; use the State Department's office locator to find the nearest one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay the execution fee if I explore at a passport agency instead of a post office?

No. Passport agencies do not charge an execution fee. Post offices, libraries, and other acceptance facilities do. If you want to avoid the fee, explore in person at a passport agency in your area. Use the State Department's office locator to find one.

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

No. The State Department requires a certified copy of a court order or a certified copy of a marriage certificate if you changed your name through marriage. If you changed your name through a legal proceeding, you must provide the court order. A name change petition or process is not enough; you need the final order.

What if my court order is from another country?

You will need an English translation certified by a translator. The State Department does not accept documents in other languages. Contact your nearest passport agency or the State Department's website for guidance on which translators are acceptable.

Can I mail my passport process if I'm changing my name?

Yes, if your passport is still valid and will not expire for at least six months. Use Form DS-82 and mail it with your certified court order, new photo, and current passport. The fee is $110. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks with expedited service ($60 extra). If your passport has expired or will expire soon, you must explore in person.

What happens if I submit the wrong documents?

The State Department will return your process and documents without processing it. You will not be refunded the fee. Resubmit with the correct documents. This is why it is important to call your county clerk ahead of time to confirm you have the right certified copy and to verify the State Department's current document requirements on their website.