If you have changed your name, you may apply to have this change reflected in your U.S. passport.
Please note that U.S. passports are no longer amended to change items appearing on the data page. Therefore, you will need to apply for a new U.S. passport in your new name. When completing the relevant application form, you should complete the form in the name you wish to appear in your passport and note all other names you have been known as under field 9 on the 1st page of the passport application form.
If your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago, please follow the instructions for a routine passport renewal. If your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months, please click here.
Change name by Marriage or Court Order
If you have changed your name by marriage or court order, you may apply for a passport in your new name by submitting your original marriage certificate or final court order. Please complete your application online using the Passport Wizard.
Change of Name by Statutory Declaration/Change of Name Deed
If you have changed your name by statutory declaration or change of name deed you may have a U.S. passport issued in that name providing you submit the original statutory declaration/change of name deed. The name change document must state both the old and new names.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html
If you meet these requirements and your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago, please follow the instructions here. If your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months, please click here. If the applicant is under 16, please click here.
Divorced/Widowed Applicants Reverting to Birth or Former Legal Name
If your former name is restored after a divorce or the death of your spouse you may have your passport issued with that surname provided you submit:
- the original divorce decree explicitly declaring the resumption of a former name; or
- death certificate and identification in a former or birth name.
If the divorce decree does not explicitly declare the resumption of a former name, in addition to the original divorce decree, you must provide:
- documentation showing the change of name to a former surname (such as court order or properly executed deed)
If you meet these requirements and your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago, please follow the instructions here. If your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months, please click here.
Change of Name through Usage
You may obtain a U.S. passport in a new name provided you have been known exclusively by that name for at least five years. You must submit at least three public documents that show exclusive usage of the name for at least five years including one government issued ID with photograph. Acceptable documents include but are not limited to:
- Driver’s License
- Non-Driver State Issued ID
- Employment Records
- Tax Records
- School Records
- Census Records
- Hospital Birth Record
- Baptismal Certificate
- Medical Card/Records
- Foreign Passport
- Military Records
You must submit the application in person at the Embassy and should follow the instructions on this page.
Changes of Name by Adoption
A child who has been legally adopted and has a court order showing a change of name, may have a U.S. passport issued in that name, providing the original court order shows both the old and new names or the decision form the Municipality reflecting the name change. If you meet these requirements and you are over 16, please follow the instructions here. If the applicant is under 16, click here.
“Also Known As” Names
If you do not meet the criteria for a name change mentioned in other categories and have assumed a name for professional or other bona fide reason, the assumed name may be included in the passport as an “also known as” name together with the full legal name.
You must:
- request inclusion of an “also known as” name on the application by completing field 9;
- sign twice the application form in both names;
- provide government issued photo ID in both names;
- provide two or more public documents in the full legal and “also known as” names. Acceptable documents include but are not limited to:
- school records, tax records, military records, medical records, driver’s license, federal/state/local government ID cards, property deeds, insurance records, employment records, utility bills etc; and
- affidavit executed by two witnesses who can attest that they have known you by both names. The affidavit can be executed at the KEP office. You may choose to send a third public document in lieu of an affidavit by a witness.
You are required to submit your application in person and should follow the instructions on this page.
Change of Name by Civil Partnership
Under current U.S. law the U.S. Government does not recognize civil partnerships. We cannot change a U.S. citizen’s passport to reflect a name change solely due to a civil partnership. In order to change your name on your U.S. passport, you will need to present a U.S. court order, statutory declaration or change of name deed.