How to Update a Passport if I Got Married
United States passport holders are required to update their passports if they marry and change their name; otherwise, the passport is invalid and cannot be used to travel internationally. To update your name on your passport, you must go through the passport renewal process. You must file a renewal application, pay the fees and present the required supporting documents. However, if your current passport is less than a year old, you must update your passport using a different method.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Passports More than One Year Old
-
1
Obtain form DS-82 from your local passport acceptance facility, or online using the U.S. Department of State's website (travel.state.gov). Complete the form by entering your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, sex and race. Check the box stating you changed your name because of marriage. Sign the application. Use this form if your current passport is more than one year old.
-
2
Write a check for $110, the passport renewal fee for a passport book; the fee to renew a passport card is $30, and the fee to renew a passport book and passport card at the same time is $140 at the time of publication. Make your check payable to the U.S. Department of State.
-
-
3
Mail your application, check, current passport and a certified copy of your marriage license to:
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
Your new passport is mailed to you six to eight weeks after your application is received.
-
4
Expedite the processing of your passport by including a second check in the amount of $60, the fee to expedite passports as of time of publication, and mail your application and documentation to:
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
Your new passport is mailed to you two to three weeks after your application is received.
Passports Less than One Year Old
-
5
Obtain form DS-5504 from a passport acceptance facility or the U.S. Department of State's website. Fill out the information on the form, including your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, contact information, race and sex. Sign the application. There is no fee to renew a passport that is less than one year old.
-
6
Mail your application, certified copy of your marriage license and your current passport to:
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90107
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107
Your passport is mailed to you six to eight weeks after your application is received.
-
7
Receive your passport in two to three weeks by including a check payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $60, the fee to expedite your passport, and mailing your information to:
National Passport Processing Center
PO Box 90907
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0907
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Find a passport acceptance facility in your city or town by using the U.S. Department of State's passport acceptance facility search page.
If you need your passport for your honeymoon immediately following your wedding, your current passport is still valid. You cannot legally change your name for several weeks until your marriage license is filed with the county clerk and recorded, and your marriage certificate is mailed to you. You cannot begin the name change process until your marriage certificate arrives in the mail several weeks after your wedding day -- you must travel under your maiden name until you receive your marriage certificate.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
