Can i still use my passport if my name has changed

Q: Can I still use my passport if my name has changed UK?

Youll need to get a new passport to travel abroad or prove your identity if you change any of the following: your name. your gender.

Change or Correct a Passport

Name Changes

If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered change of name, you will need to apply for a new passport. The process and cost depend on how long it has been since your passport was issued.

See DS-82 eligibility requirements below.

Please select from the following options:

Less than one year has passed since your passport was issued

You will not have to pay any passport or processing fees, unless you request Expedited Service.

Submit Form DS-5504 by mail with your current passport, your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies), and a color passport photo. You may:

Use the Department of State's online guide to fill out and print Form DS-5504; or
Print Form DS-5504 and complete by hand.

More than one year has passed since your passport was issued, and you are eligible to use Form DS-82*

Submit Form DS-82 by mail with your current passport, your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies), a color passport photo, and all applicable fees. You may:

Use the Department of State's online guide to fill out and print Form DS-82; or
Print Form DS-82 and complete by hand.

More than one year has passed since your passport was issued, you are NOT eligible to use Form DS-82*

You must submit Form DS-11 in person at an Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency, along with your evidence of U.S. citizenship, your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies), a valid ID and photocopy of that ID, a color passport photo, and all applicable fees. You may:

Use our online guide to fill out and print Form DS-11; or
Print Form DS-11 and complete by hand.
You will not need to provide proof of the name change if your name has changed due to a marriage and you have already been issued an ID in your new name. You must include the details of the marriage in the applicable section on Form DS-11.

If you have begun using a different name but cannot legally document the change with a court order, divorce decree, or marriage certificate, then:

Submit Form DS-11 in person at an Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency, along with your evidence of U.S. citizenship, a valid ID and photocopy of that ID, a color passport photo, and all applicable fees. You may:
- Use our online guide to fill out and print Form DS-11; or
- Print Form DS-11 and complete by hand.
You must also present a valid ID issued in the name you currently use.
You may also need to provide secondary identification evidence that you have been using the name for at least 5 years, if your ID is less than 5 years old.

Printing Errors and Spelling Errors

Printing errors and spelling errors, including incorrect name, gender, or place of birth, can be corrected at no charge at any time while the passport is still valid.

If reported within one year of issuance, a new, corrected passport will be issued, which will be valid for 10 years from the date the new, correct book is issued.
If reported after one year of issuance, the new, corrected passport will be valid until the expiration date of the original, incorrect passport.

The requirements for replacement passports apply for both adults and minors.

To correct a printing or spelling error in your passport:

Mail Form DS-5504 with one color passport photo and evidence of the error.
Print a blank Form DS-5504 and complete by hand; or use our online guide for step by step instructions.

Form DS-82 Eligibility

You are eligible to use Form DS-82 only if:

You can submit your most recently issued passport;
You were at least 16 years old when your most recent passport was issued;
Your most recent passport was issued less than 15 years ago;
Your most recent passport has not been lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated; and
You use the same name as on your most recent passport, or have had your name changed by marriage or court order, and can submit proper documentation to reflect the name change.

For a complete list of forms please see our Forms page

Find information about lost or stolen U.S. passports, children's passport alert program, fees, local passport offices, denied applications and restrictions on a passport.

Find a Passport Facility or Location
Passport Fees
Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
Name Change or Correction for a Passport
Denial of a U.S. Passport Application
Finding Lost or Stolen Foreign or U.S. Passport
Report and Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport
Revoked U.S. Passport
Restrictions on a U.S. Passport

Find a Passport Facility or Location

Please note: Passport operations continue to be affected by COVID-19. And processing times change throughout the year. Check the status of passport operations to see current processing times and more.

If you have to take your application to a passport facility in person:

Find a local passport acceptance facility - This can be a post office, some public libraries, or clerk of court office. Some facilities require an appointment or have limited hours.
Locate a regional passport agency - These are Department of State offices that can process expedited passport applications. An appointment is required. To make an appointment, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793.

Find out what forms of payment the facility accepts. If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad and need a passport, contact a U.S. embassy or consulate to find out how to apply. Expedited processing is not available when applying from outside the U.S.

For questions, you can also email the National Passport Information Center at .

Passport Fees

Fees for renewing or getting a new passport depend on several factors such as:

If you are only getting a passport card, or
If you opt for expedited service

The passport application fee and the execution fee are non-refundable. They are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued.

You can find the fees you may have to pay using these State Department resources:

Passport Fees chart
Passport Fee calculator

If you are outside the U.S., ask your U.S. Embassy or consulate what forms of payment they are able to accept. This applies to passport renewals or applications for new passports.

Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program

The U.S. Department of State's Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) will notify parents or guardians of a participating child if an application for a U.S. Passport is submitted in the child’s name. It will also verify parental approval of the passport being issued. To enroll in the program you must be the legal parent or guardian of each child under the age of 18.

This program does not stop a passport from being issued. It also does not track or restrict the passport’s use.

Contact the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues to learn more. Review a list of frequently asked questions about the program.

Name Change or Correction for a Passport

If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or some other legal reason, you will need to get a new passport to reflect the name change.

How to Change Your Name and Other Information on a Passport

If it has been less than one year since you got your passport: You must mail Form DS-5504 to the National Passport Processing Center. In addition, you must include your current passport, a certified copy of your legal document showing the name change, and a new passport photo. Unless you request expedited service, you will not have to pay any passport or processing fees.
If you have had your current passport for over a year: You will need to fill out Form DS-82. Submit it with your current passport, a certified copy of your legal document showing the name change, and a new passport photo. Follow the procedures for renewing a passport.
If you cannot legally document your name change, you will need to go in-person to a passport acceptance facility. You will need to bring the following:
- A combination of documents known as secondary evidence showing proof of your identification
- Form DS-11

See Change or Correct a Passport for more information.

How to Correct an Error on a Passport

You can have a passport corrected at no charge provided the passport is still valid. Corrections can include printing or spelling errors or incorrect information.
If you are traveling within three weeks, you can go in person to a passport agency to make corrections. You must have an appointment. To make an appointment, you must call the National Passport Information Center. You can also mail your documents to the address on Form DS-5504.

If you live outside of the U.S., contact your nearest U.S. Embassy.

Denial of a U.S. Passport Application

There are a number of reasons why the U.S. Department of State can deny your U.S. Passport application or renewal, including:

Owing child support
Receiving an IRS taxpayer notice in the mail about having a large overdue unpaid tax debt
Having a previous passport revoked
Being involved in a custody dispute if you are a minor
Being subject to foreign extradition requests. This involves U.S. authorities handing over a person accused or convicted of a crime to the foreign state or country where the crime was committed.
Receiving certain court orders and declarations
Defaulting on an assistance loan from the Department of State. You must repay this loan first or arrange to do so

Finding Lost or Stolen Foreign or U.S. Passport

If you find a U.S. Passport in the United States, mail the passport to:

U.S. Department of State

Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP)

CA/PPT/S/TO/LE

44132 Mercure Circle

PO Box 1227

Sterling, VA 20166-1227

If you find a U.S. passport while abroad, return the passport to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.

If you find a foreign passport in the U.S., return the passport to the issuing country's embassy or consulate.

Report and Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport

You must report the loss or theft of an American passport immediately.

To report your passport as lost or stolen, you have three options:
- The fastest way is to use the wizard to submit form DS-64 online
- By phone: call toll free at 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793)
- By mail: use form DS-64 and mail it to the address on the form
Find information on how to replace your lost or stolen passport.
- If you are traveling within three weeks, you will need to make an appointment to replace your passport in person at a regional passport facility or center. You will need to bring proof of travel and forms DS-11 and DS-64.

Note: Once you have reported your passport lost or stolen, it is invalidated by the State Department. It cannot be used if it is found.

If you are outside of the U.S., contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate to replace your lost or stolen passport.

Revoked U.S. Passport

The U.S. Department of State revokes passports that were:

Obtained illegally or through fraud
Altered or misused
Issued to people whose Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization was canceled

Your U.S. passport may also be revoked or denied if the IRS reports to the State Department that you have a seriously delinquent tax debt.

You must surrender a revoked passport immediately.

Restrictions on a U.S. Passport

The U.S. Department of State cannot tell American citizens whether they may travel to certain countries, but can restrict the use of a U.S. Passport for travel there. In certain countries, you must get permission to enter or engage in certain activities. Contact the National Passport Information Center (or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate if abroad) to find out which agency grants this permission.

Traveling to Cuba

American citizens must get permission to visit Cuba, including if they travel through another country, from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury. Contact by email at , or call 1-800-540-6322 (1-202-622-2480 locally) for help and information. Also, check the U.S. Embassy in Cuba website.

Last Updated: October 21, 2022

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Does my name have to match my passport?

Using a US passport with your maiden name However, this does not apply to travel by air. The TSA requires that the name on your ticket – your current legal name – match the one in your passport.

Can I still use my passport if my name has changed UK?

You'll need to get a new passport to travel abroad or prove your identity if you change any of the following: your name. your gender.

Does your passport number stay the same when you change your name?

Answer: Your new passport will have a new number in it. Since the passport will have both a new number and your new name in it, you should wait until your passport renewal application is processed before purchasing the tickets for your trip.

What if my passport expired and my name changed?

If you are changing your name within one year of the date your passport was issued, you will need to complete Form DS-5504: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement. If you are changing your name more than a year after your passport was issued, you must submit Form DS-82: Renewal Application.