We provide same day passport and visas in Los Angeles!

Passport Name Change Help

Q: Which form do I use for a passport name change?

It depends on timing and eligibility. If it has been less than 1 year since both your passport was issued and your name was legally changed, Form DS-5504 may apply. If more than 1 year has passed since either the passport issue date or the legal name change, you may need to renew by mail if eligible or apply in person. We check the passport issue date, legal name-change document, current ID, and travel date before choosing the form.

Q: I changed my name years ago but never updated my passport. What happens now?

That usually means the simple under-1-year DS-5504 path will not apply. We check whether you can renew by mail with certified name-change proof or whether you need an in-person application route. Your current ID, legal name-change document, ticket name, and travel date also matter.

Q: What if I use a different name but do not have a legal name-change document?

That is more complicated. You may need to apply in person with evidence of U.S. citizenship, valid ID in the name you currently use, a passport photo, fees, and supporting records. In some cases, Form DS-60 may be needed with statements from people who know you by both names and public records showing long-term use of the new name.

Q: Do I need a new passport photo for a name change?

Usually, yes. Name-change and correction packets commonly require a current compliant passport photo. We check photo quality before it is attached because a bad photo can delay an otherwise clean name-change case.

Changed your name and your passport no longer matches your travel documents? Start with the answers that matter.

Question

How fast can I get it?

How much does it cost?

What do I do right now?

Clear Answer

Expedited passport processing is currently 2-3 weeks, not including mailing time. If international travel is close, an urgent passport agency route may be needed.

Starting at $199 service fee + government fees + shipping. Government fees depend on your form: some DS-5504 name changes have no passport fee unless expedited service is requested; DS-82 adult passport book renewal is $130; DS-11 adult passport book cases commonly include $130 + $35 acceptance fee. Expedited service is $60 if used.

Call (323) 208-5755. Have your travel date, current passport, legal name-change document, ID, passport photo, and ticket or itinerary ready.

Need assistance with your passport or visa?

Call us:

(323) 208-5755

SameDay Passport & Visas is a private passport and visa assistance service. The U.S. Department of State controls passport approval, appointment availability, and issuance.

Service Overview

Passport name changes are not one-size-fits-all. The right process depends on when your passport was issued, when your name legally changed, whether you can submit your current passport, and whether the issue is a legal name change or a data/printing correction.

SameDay Passport & Visas helps travelers identify the correct form, prepare the proof, and avoid mailing or appointment mistakes that can delay travel.

When You Need This Service

This service may be right for you if:

You changed your name after marriage
You changed your name after divorce
You have a court-ordered legal name change
Your passport has a spelling, data, or printing error
Your airline ticket, visa, or travel documents do not match your passport
You are not sure whether to use DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11
You have urgent travel and need the name issue resolved quickly

Name Change vs Correction

Situation

Likely Path

Passport and legal name change are both less than one year old

DS-5504 may apply

More than one year after either passport issuance or legal name change

DS-82 or DS-11 may apply

Passport has a printing or data error

DS-5504 may apply

You cannot document the name change normally

DS-11 and additional proof may apply

What To Know

No passport fee in many qualifying cases unless expedited service is requested.

The form depends on whether you qualify to renew by mail.

Valid passports with data or printing errors may be corrected with no government passport fee.

Additional records or affidavit support may be needed.

What Is Included

SameDay Passport & Visas can help with:

Name-change situation review
Form selection guidance
Legal document checklist
Current passport and photo review
Fee and timing planning
Urgent travel route guidance when the deadline is close
Final document review before mailing or appointment

How to Update Your Name on Passport

Complete Online Application

Fill out your application online and make sure all information is accurate to help avoid delays. Do not sign the application until instructed to do so. If you have been issued a Social Security number, it must be included as part of your application. We assist in reviewing your details to ensure everything is properly completed before moving forward.

Current U.S. Passport

Include your current passport with your application, as long as it is in good condition. Once your new passport is issued, your previous passport will be returned to you. We assist in reviewing your documents to ensure everything is properly prepared and help avoid delays in the process.

Original Court Documents

Provide an original or certified copy of your legal name change document issued by the court. We assist in reviewing your paperwork to ensure everything is properly prepared and help prevent delays in your application process.

Flight Itinerary

If available, include a copy of your flight itinerary or travel confirmation with your documents to support your timeline. If you don’t have confirmed travel yet, you can still move forward—we’ll guide you on what to include to keep your application on track.

Passport Photos

Submit a recent passport photo that meets the required specifications. The photo must be 2″ x 2″, taken on a plain white background, and captured within the last 30 days. We assist in reviewing your photos to ensure they meet the correct standards and help avoid delays in your application process.

Applying by Mail? Fill Out Two Letters of Authorization

If you’re submitting your application by mail, complete two Letters of Authorization and include them with your documents. We assist in reviewing your paperwork to ensure everything is properly completed and help keep your application moving forward without delays.

Applying by Mail? Fill Out a Service Order Form

If you’re submitting your application by mail, complete the service order form and include it with your documents. We assist in reviewing your paperwork to ensure everything is properly completed and help keep your application on track without delays.

Government Expedite Fees must be paid by cashiers check or money order, payable to “US Department of State”.

Service

First Time Passport

Passport Renewal

Lost/Stolen/Mutilated Passport

Child / Minor (Under 16)

Second Passport

Limited Validity

Passport Card Without Passport Book (Adult)

Passport Card With Passport Book (Adult)

Passport Card Without Passport Book (Child)

Passport Card With Passport Book (Child)

Name Change (Less Than 1 Year Since Passport Was Issued)

Name Change (More Than 1 Year Since Passport Was Issued)

Fees

$190.00 + $35.00 Execution Fee

$190.00

$190.00 + $35.00 Execution Fee

$160.00 + $35.00 Execution Fee

$190.00

$90.00

$190.00 +$30.00

$75.00

$160.00 + $15.00

$60.00

$190.00

Emergency Replacement Passport dependent upon application type.

Total Fees

Government Fees + Sameday Passport Expedite Fees + Return FedEx Shipping Fees = Total Fees

Due to Covid-19 the US Dept of State is not operating as normal. Please call our office for pricing and processing time.

Total Fees

Government Fees + Sameday Passport Expedite Fees + Return FedEx Shipping Fees = Total Fees

Optional Service. We only return passports using FedEx.

Service

Priority Overnight Delivery

First Overnight (8:30 AM)

Saturday Delivery

Fees

$35.00

$69.00

$42.00

Total Fees

Government Fees + Sameday Passport Expedite Fees + Return FedEx Shipping Fees = Total Fees

Step-by-Step Passport Name Change Process

Call (323) 208-5755 and share your travel date.
Confirm whether the case is a legal name change, data error, or printing correction.
Confirm whether DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11 is the right form.
Gather your current passport, legal name-change document, passport photo, and ID if required.
Review whether urgent travel proof is needed.
Check the government fee and shipping path for your form.
Submit the application by the correct method and track the status.

Documents To Prepare

Current U.S. passport
Original or certified legal name-change document, such as marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
One compliant passport photo
Valid ID and photocopy, if DS-11 is required
Proof of U.S. citizenship, if DS-11 is required
Travel itinerary or proof of urgent travel, if applicable
Government fee payment, if required for your form

Common Proof Problems

Airline ticket uses a different name than the passport
Marriage certificate or divorce decree is not original or certified
Name-change document does not clearly connect the old and new names
Passport was issued more than one year ago, changing the form and fee path
Applicant uses a different name but cannot show the change through marriage, divorce, or court order
Passport has a data error but the applicant treats it like a normal paid renewal

Why Choose SameDay Passport & Visas

Name-change cases can be simple when the form is right and the proof is clear. They become stressful when travel is close or the wrong form is mailed. SameDay Passport & Visas helps travelers sort the timing, documents, and submission path before the application leaves their hands.

Service Overview

Emergency new passport

Child passport

Lost or stolen passport replacement

Passport name change

Second passport

Limited-validity passport replacement

Need assistance with your passport or visa?

Call us:

(323) 208-5755

Customer Questions

Passport Name Change FAQs

These are the name-change questions travelers ask when the ticket, ID, passport, and legal record do not tell the same story.

My ticket is in my married name but my passport is in my maiden name. Can I still travel?

That can become a travel problem because airlines and border checks expect the booking and passport identity to line up. The fix may be changing the ticket, changing the passport, or choosing the fastest realistic route based on your departure date. We compare the ticket, passport, current ID, and marriage record before deciding.

Which form do I use for a passport name change?

It depends on timing and eligibility. If both the passport and legal name change are within the one-year window, DS-5504 may apply. If more than a year has passed, renewal by mail or an in-person DS-11 path may be needed. We do not choose the form until the issue date and legal document are checked.

Do I need the original marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order?

You generally need an original or certified legal document that clearly supports the requested name. The field problem is unclear proof: a divorce decree that does not restore the prior name, a certificate with a spelling difference, or a photocopy that will not be accepted.

Can a passport name change be expedited if I travel soon?

Yes, urgent timing may be possible, but the form path and proof have to be correct first. The question is not only whether the name can be changed. It is whether the corrected passport can be issued and physically received before the trip.

I changed my name years ago but never updated my passport. What happens now?

That usually means the simple under-one-year correction path will not apply. We check whether you can renew by mail with certified name-change proof or whether you need an in-person DS-11 application. Your current ID and ticket name also matter.

What if I use a different name but do not have a legal name-change document?

That is more complicated and may require an in-person path with evidence of citizenship, valid ID in the name you use, a photo, fees, and additional details. We would review the exact record before telling you to submit.

Is a spelling mistake on my passport the same as a name change?

No. A data or printing error can follow a different correction path than a legal name change. We compare the passport error against the source documents to decide whether this is a correction, a legal name change, or a new application issue.

Do I need a new passport photo for a name change?

Usually yes. Name-change and correction packets commonly require a current compliant photo. We check photo quality before it is attached because a bad photo can delay an otherwise clean name-change case.

My middle name or hyphenated name is different on my ticket. Is that serious?

It can be, especially with international travel. We look at the passport identity page, ticket, current ID, and legal document to decide whether the mismatch is likely to create a boarding or document issue. Sometimes the airline correction is faster than passport correction; sometimes it is not.

Can I change a child's passport name?

Yes, but child passport rules still apply. You need the legal name-change evidence plus the minor applicant and parent or guardian requirements. Parent names and consent can create additional review points.

My divorce decree does not clearly restore my prior name. Can I use it?

Maybe not. The document needs to clearly support the name you want on the passport. If it does not, you may need a court order or another legal record before the passport name can be changed cleanly.

Should I change my passport or change my airline ticket?

It depends on timing, airline rules, cost, and whether the legal proof is ready. In urgent cases, we compare both options because the goal is not paperwork perfection in the abstract. The goal is getting you to a valid travel identity before departure.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Our team is here to listen, understand your needs, and provide tailored solutions that fit your vision

Our Locations

We take the complexity and uncertainty out of the visa application process by working directly with foreign consulates on your behalf.

Los Angeles

145 S Fairfax Ave Suite 375, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

Miami

Beverly Blvd

Arlington

1420 N Cooper St Suite 108 Arlington, TX 76011

Austin

6901 N Lamar Blvd Suite 126 Austin, TX 78752

Dallas

811 S Central Expy Suite #500 Richardson, TX 75080

New York

347 5th Ave Suite 1212 A New York, NY 10016

Houston

2100 West Loop South Suite 900 Houston, TX 77027

Washington DC

1441 L St NW Suite #1231 Washington, DC 20005