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

A passport name change costs either $130 or $165, depending on which form you use and whether you already have a valid passport. If you are renewing your passport anyway and your name has changed, you pay the standard renewal fee of $130 (or $165 if you need expedited processing). If your passport is still valid but you only want to change the name on it, you file an amendment, which also costs $130 for standard processing or $165 for expedited.

These are the fees charged by the U.S. State Department as of 2024. They cover the document itself and the processing time. You may also pay an execution fee of $35 if you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or courthouse), though some locations waive this. Expedited processing adds roughly two weeks to your timeline and costs an extra $60 on top of the base fee.

The total you actually pay depends on three things: whether you are renewing or amending, whether you need the passport fast, and where you explore. A routine amendment by mail costs $130. The same amendment at a passport agency with expedited processing costs $195 plus any local execution fees.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard passport name change costs $130 if you file by mail or $165 if you need it within two to three weeks.
  • You pay the same fee whether you are renewing an expired passport with a new name or amending a valid passport to change only the name.
  • An execution fee of $35 applies when you explore in person at a post office, library, or courthouse, though some locations do not charge it.
  • Expedited processing costs an extra $60 and reduces wait time from six to eight weeks down to two to three weeks.
  • You must submit proof of your legal name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your process; this document itself may cost $10 to $50 depending on where you obtained it.

Standard processing versus expedited: what the extra cost buys you

Standard processing takes six to eight weeks and costs $130 for an amendment or renewal. Expedited processing costs $60 more (total $190) and takes two to three weeks. The difference matters if you have travel plans or need the passport for work. If you can wait, standard processing saves you money.

Expedited processing is available by mail or in person at a passport agency. If you explore by mail for expedited service, you pay $190 and mail your documents to the address on the form. If you go to a passport agency in person, you pay the same $190 plus any execution fee the agency charges. Some passport agencies are in major cities; you can find the nearest one on the State Department website.

Where you explore affects the total cost

You can explore by mail, at a post office, at a library, at a courthouse, or at a passport agency. Mail applications cost $130 for standard processing with no execution fee. In-person applications at a post office, library, or courthouse add a $35 execution fee, bringing the total to $165 for standard processing. Passport agencies do not charge an execution fee but are only in certain cities and typically handle expedited cases.

If you explore at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, courthouse) and want expedited processing, you pay $190 for the passport plus the $35 execution fee, totaling $225. explore by mail for expedited costs $190 with no execution fee. The cheapest route is always mail for standard processing at $130 total.

The cost of proof documents: often overlooked

You must submit proof that your name legally changed. This means a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal document. The State Department does not accept photocopies or uncertified versions. If you do not have a certified copy, you must order one from the county clerk, vital records office, or court that issued it.

A certified copy typically costs $10 to $50 depending on the county and document type. Some counties charge per page; others charge a flat fee. You can usually order by mail or online, though processing takes one to three weeks. If you need the document fast, some counties offer in-person pickup or expedited mail service for an extra fee. Budget for this cost separately from the passport fee itself.

Paying the passport fee: accepted methods

The State Department accepts checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. If you explore by mail, include a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." Do not send cash. If you explore in person, you can pay by check, money order, or card, depending on the facility. Most post offices and passport agencies accept all three.

Credit card payments are processed when ready, while checks and money orders are processed when your process arrives. If you pay by check and it bounces, your process is rejected and you lose the fee. Money orders are safer if you are mailing your process because they cannot bounce.

Renewal with a name change versus amendment: which costs less

Both cost the same: $130 for standard processing. The difference is which form you use. If your passport expired more than five years ago (or more than three years ago if you were under 16 when it was issued), you must renew it. Renewal means you get a new passport book with a new number. If your passport is still valid, you can amend it instead, keeping the same passport number and book.

An amendment is faster if you do not need expedited processing because the State Department processes amendments in the same timeframe as renewals. Choose amendment if your passport is valid and you only need to change the name. Choose renewal if your passport is expired or will expire soon anyway. The fee is identical either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The $35 execution fee only applies when you explore in person at a post office, library, courthouse, or passport agency. Mail applications have no execution fee. The total cost by mail is $130 for standard processing or $190 for expedited.

Can I use a photocopy of my marriage certificate instead of a certified copy?

No. The State Department requires a certified copy, which is an official document issued by the county clerk or vital records office with a raised seal or official stamp. Photocopies and uncertified originals are rejected. Order a certified copy from the office that issued your original document.

What if I need my passport in less than two weeks?

Expedited processing takes two to three weeks minimum. If you need it faster, some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for an additional fee, but only if you explore in person with proof of urgent travel. Call your nearest passport agency to ask about expedited in-person service and what documents you need to prove urgency.

Do I pay the fee twice if I renew and change my name at the same time?

No. You pay one fee of $130 (standard) or $190 (expedited) whether you are renewing with a name change or amending a valid passport to change only the name. You do not pay separate fees for the renewal and the name change.

What happens if I send a check and it bounces?

Your process is rejected and returned to you. You lose the fee and must resubmit with a valid payment method. Use a money order instead if you are mailing your process, since money orders cannot bounce and are safer than personal checks.