How to Change Your Name On Your Passport After Divorce? 2025

How to Change Your Name On Your Passport After Divorce?

Congratulations on embarking on a new chapter! As you move forward after divorce, one essential step to ensure smooth travels and a fresh start is updating your identification documents, especially your passport. Having a passport that reflects your current legal name is crucial for seamless international travel and avoiding unnecessary stress at the airport. Let HitchSwitch help you navigate this process with ease.

Imagine booking flights and hotels under your new name, only to arrive at the airport with a passport showing your previous one – a recipe for unnecessary headaches! Don’t let this happen. For an in-depth outline of how to change your name after divorce, please click here to check out our guide.

So, how to change your name on your passport after divorce in 2025? Here’s what you need to know:

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 in understanding how to change your name on your passport after divorce 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 and you are changing your name due to a divorce (or any other reason requiring a name change 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).

What You’ll Need to Submit

Regardless of the form you use, you’ll generally need to provide the following documents to successfully execute how to change your name on your passport after divorce:

1. Completed Passport Form: The DS-82, DS-5504, or DS-11, accurately filled out and signed.
2. Your Current U.S. Passport: This is your most recent passport book. It will be returned to you, though in a separate mailing from your new passport.
3. Original or Certified Copy of Your Divorce Decree:  Your Decree must explicitly state your name change back to your previous name.
   • Note: If your divorce decree does not explicitly state the name change, you may need a separate court order.
4. 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.).
5. Applicable Fees:
   1. DS-82: Typically $130 for a passport book (or $190 total for expedited service).
   2. DS-5504: Generally no fee for routine service, unless you request expedited processing ($60).
   3. 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

Once you’ve gathered everything, you’ll submit your application. It’s important to be aware of the estimated processing times when considering how to change your name on your passport after divorce:

• 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 set for your new chapter. Divorce can bring a lot of changes, and understanding how to change your name on your passport after divorce doesn’t have to be another burden. 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. Ready to make updating your passport and other documents after divorce stress-free? Manage your passport needs effortlessly with the Passport Now App.  The HitchSwitch Platinum and Platinum Plus packages can handle your name change paperwork and include a passport photo redeemable through the app.