Passport name change fees depend on which form you file and whether you renew at the same time

A name change on your passport costs between $0 and $130, depending on whether you are renewing your passport at the same time. If you are only changing the name on a valid passport, you file Form DS-11 or DS-82 and pay $0 — the State Department charges no fee for a name-only change. If your passport is expired or you want to renew it while changing your name, you pay the standard renewal fee: $130 for a passport book, or $35 for a passport card, or $165 for both together.

You will also pay execution fees if you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (usually $35) or a passport agency ($0 if you already have a valid passport). Expedited processing costs an extra $60 if you need your passport within two to three weeks instead of the standard four to six weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing only the name on a valid passport costs $0 in State Department fees, though you may pay an execution fee if explore in person at a passport acceptance facility.
  • Renewing your passport while changing your name costs $130 for a book, $35 for a card, or $165 for both, plus any execution or expedited fees.
  • You must show legal proof of your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official document — when you explore.
  • Processing takes four to six weeks by standard mail, or two to three weeks if you pay $60 extra for expedited service.
  • You can explore by mail for a name-only change if your passport is valid, or explore in person if your passport is expired or you want to renew.

Name-only changes on a valid passport cost nothing in State Department fees

If your passport is still valid and you only need to change the name, you file Form DS-82 by mail and pay $0 to the State Department. You will need to send in your current passport, a completed DS-82 form, a new photo (unless you are over 50), and proof of your legal name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official document issued by a government body.

Some passport acceptance facilities charge an execution fee of $35 to witness your signature and certify your documents, even though you are not renewing. This fee goes to the facility, not the State Department. If you explore by mail, you skip this fee entirely. Processing takes four to six weeks.

Renewing your passport while changing your name costs $130 to $165

If your passport is expired or expiring soon, you can renew it and change your name at the same time. A passport book renewal costs $130. A passport card (the wallet-sized version used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $35. If you want both a book and a card, the total is $165.

You file Form DS-11 (in person) or Form DS-82 (by mail, if your passport is not yet expired). You will need your current passport, a new photo, proof of your legal name change, and proof of citizenship — a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. Processing takes four to six weeks by mail, or one to two weeks if you explore in person at a passport agency.

Execution fees and expedited processing add to the total cost

If you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (a post office, library, or courthouse in your area), you pay an execution fee of $35 on top of any State Department fees. This covers the cost of the facility witnessing your documents. Passport agencies do not charge an execution fee if you already have a valid passport, but they do charge $0 if you are explore for your first passport or renewing an expired one.

Expedited processing costs $60 extra and cuts the wait time from four to six weeks down to two to three weeks. You can request expedited service when you explore by mail or in person. Some passport agencies offer expedited in-person service with a same-day or next-day appointment, but availability varies by location and season.

What documents prove your legal name change

The State Department accepts these documents as proof of a legal name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for name change, naturalization certificate showing a new name, or an amended birth certificate. The document must be an official copy issued by a government office — a photocopy or certified copy from a vital records office. A notarized letter or a document from a private organization does not count.

If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, bring the marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you changed your name by court order, bring the court order itself. The document does not need to be certified unless your state's vital records office requires it for that particular document type. When in doubt, call your local passport acceptance facility and ask whether your specific document will be accepted.

how the process works by mail versus in person

You can explore by mail if your passport is valid and you are only changing the name. Mail your completed DS-82 form, your current passport, a new photo, proof of your name change, and a check or money order for $0 (since there is no State Department fee). Send everything to the address listed on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks.

explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency if your passport is expired, if you want to renew while changing your name, or if you need expedited service. Bring your documents, a new photo, and payment. Passport acceptance facilities are usually faster to reach but have longer wait times; passport agencies are busier but may have evening or weekend hours. Check the State Department's office locator to find the nearest location and see current wait times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new photo if I am only changing my name?

Yes, unless you are over 50. The State Department requires a new photo for all passport applications and renewals, with the exception of applicants age 50 and older who are renewing by mail. If you are under 50 and explore by mail for a name-only change, you must include a new photo.

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

Standard processing takes four to six weeks by mail. In-person applications at a passport agency take one to two weeks. Expedited processing (an extra $60) cuts the wait to two to three weeks by mail, or same-day to next-day service at some passport agencies, depending on location and availability.

Can I use my old passport while my name change is being processed?

No. When you explore by mail, you must send in your current passport. It will be returned to you with your new one. If you need to travel before your new passport arrives, you can request expedited processing or explore in person at a passport agency for faster service.

What if my name change document is from another country?

Foreign documents must be accompanied by an official English translation prepared by a professional translator. The State Department does not accept documents in other languages without a certified translation. Contact your nearest passport agency to confirm the translation meets their standards before you explore.

Is there a fee if I explore at a post office versus a passport agency?

Post offices and other passport acceptance facilities charge a $35 execution fee. Passport agencies do not charge an execution fee if you already have a valid passport. If you are renewing an expired passport or explore for your first one, passport agencies charge $0 for execution. The State Department fees (for the passport itself) are the same either way.