The Road to a Passport Name Change

A passport is the legal identification booklet thatDS-82 form to the government. They will also
must be acquired by a citizen before leaving theneed to supply legal documents proving the
country. Getting passport is a process all its own.change in identity and two recent photographs
However, getting a passport name change inviteswith payment costs.
many different obstacles to overcome. TheFailure to produce documents will cause a person
government will require specific steps be taken toto physically go to a passport agency. While at
ensure the correct up-to-date information willthis government building, people trying to get a
appear on the new passport issued.new passport must produce their old passport, a
Reasons for a changing one's name, age, and dateDS-11 form, and pay a first time fee for the new
the passport was issued all directly affect thename. All final judgments will be made by officials
processing of a new passport. Each one of theseworking at these government offices.
examples will cause a person to be subject toProving one's identity when no paperwork can be
differing guidelines for obtaining a new and currentfound will take much longer. So for the most part,
passport. Each case will ask for specifictry to hang on to all legal documents. A person
documents, proof of identity, and fees.trying to get a new passport must provide three
When a couple gets married or a court orderdocuments over a five year period to workers at
changes someone's name, new passports mustthis location. They will also need to be supplied
be issued. This process can be completed overwith two recent photographs for the creation of
the mail and with no expense if the passport wasthe new passport.
issued in the same year. The government will askChildren need passports to travel the same as
for a marriage certificate, the old passport, and aadults. For a child to change their name on a
DS-5504 form to be completed and submitted. Inpassport, both guardians and child must be
cases of legal name change, a court order for thepresent at the agency. A birth certificate with
name change is required.both names of guardians on it, adoption decrees,
Different guidelines must be followed if the originaland legal documentation of the name change
passport was issued for more than year after amust accompany the child to the office. A
name is changed. This process can also be donecompleted DS-11 form and parents personal
over the postal service. In this case, one mustidentification papers must also be provided.
send their old passport with a correctly filled out