How To Change Your Name On Your Passport After Marriage? 2025 | Guide

Congratulations! You’ve tied the knot, celebrated with loved ones, and are now embarking on married life. While you’re basking in the post-wedding glow, there’s one crucial step many newlyweds need to tackle: updating your identification documents, starting with your passport.

Having a passport that matches your new legal name is absolutely key for seamless international travel. Imagine booking flights, cruise reservations, and hotels under your new name, only to arrive at the airport with a passport showing your old one – a recipe for unnecessary stress! Let HitchSwitch help you navigate this process smoothly.

If you have existing international travel plans booked under your former name, it’s crucial to wait until you’ve returned home before starting the passport name change process. Similarly, if you plan to book tickets within the next 2-3 months, we generally recommend booking those tickets in your former name to avoid potential issues with immediate travel. Your passport must be valid and match the name on your ticket exactly; any discrepancies can lead to denied boarding. Passport processing and shipment take anywhere from 4-8 weeks (more information below).

For an in-depth outline of the name change process, please click here to check out our guide.

So, how do you change your name on your passport after Marriage in 2025?

Determine Which Passport Form You Need

The U.S. Department of State uses different forms depending on when your current passport was issued. Knowing which form applies to you is the first step:

• DS-82 Form: Use this form if your passport was issued more than one year ago. This is a standard renewal form. You can use this form even if your passport has expired as long as you were at least 16 years old when your most recent passport was issued, and it was issued less than 15 years ago.
• DS-5504 Form: Use this form if your passport was issued less than one year ago. This form is specifically for making a change (like a name change after marriage) on a recently issued passport.
• DS-11 Form: This is typically the application for a first-time passport. You’ll also use this form if your previous passport was lost, stolen, or severely damaged, or if you don’t meet the specific requirements for using the DS-82 or DS-5504 forms (for example, if you were under 16 when your last passport was issued, or if it was issued more than 15 years ago).

You will submit the completed passport form, your original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate, passport photo,

What You’ll Need to Submit

Regardless of the form you use, you’ll generally need to provide the following to change your name on your passport after marriage:

• Completed Passport Form: The DS-82, DS-5504, or DS-11, accurately filled out and signed.
• Your Current U.S. Passport: This is your most recent passport book. It will be returned to you in a separate mailing from your new passport.
• Original or Certified Marriage Certificate
• One Color Passport Photo: This photo must be recent (taken within the last six months) and meet all U.S. Department of State passport photo requirements (2×2 inches, plain white or off-white background, no glasses, etc.).
• Applicable Fees:
  • DS-82: Typically $130 for a passport book (or $190 total for expedited service).
  • DS-5504: Generally, no fee for routine service, unless you request expedited processing ($60).
  • DS-11: Typically $130 for a passport book, plus an additional acceptance facility fee (if applicable).
  • Note: Fees are subject to change by the U.S. Department of State.

Understand Processing Times

It’s important to be aware of the estimated processing times when changing your name on your passport after marriage:

• Routine Processing: The standard timeframe is typically 4 to 6 weeks.
• Expedited Processing: If you have upcoming travel and need your passport sooner, you can pay an additional $60 fee to expedite the process. This usually shortens the timeframe to 2 to 4 weeks.
• Important Note: Processing times are measured from the date your application is received by the State Department, not the date you mail it.
• Don’t Forget Global Entry & TSA PreCheck! For our frequent flyers, updating your passport is just the first step. In order to maintain those smooth airport experiences, you’ll also need to update your Global Entry and TSA PreCheck cards with your new name. The good news is that updating these is typically free of charge unless your card has expired.

Feeling Overwhelmed by the Paperwork?

•  Don’t let paperwork overwhelm you—take control of the process and ensure everything is for your new chapter together. HitchSwitch simplifies the entire name change process, providing you with the exact forms you need, pre-filled with your information where possible, along with detailed instructions for each step. We help you understand which passport form to use and guide you through gathering the necessary documents, taking the guesswork out of the process. The HitchSwitch Platinum and Platinum Plus packages can handle your name change paperwork and include a passport photo redeemable through the app.
• Manage your passport needs effortlessly with the Passport Now App.