What Is There To Do When Applying For A Passport Name Change

by erin on July 30, 2011

There are stages in the lives of individuals when a change in identity is necessary. This is when they get married or have a divorce. Because of existing laws and traditions practiced for hundreds of years, these individuals must change their names. It is important that their personal documents also be changed. For passports, there is a process for passport name change.

Personal Documents

One of the most important personal documents people own is a passport. These are government issued papers that serves as proofs of identity and citizenship. With passports, people can travel to foreign lands with the unspoken request from the parent country that they be treated with respect as visitors. To be as accurate as possible, identities should be updated as soon as individuals have their names changed.

Legal Proof

Applicants who want to update their identities fall into three groups. The first two groups both possess legal proofs that they have changed their names. The other group does not possess legal documentation but are able to demonstrate that they have been using an identity different from the one in their passports.

Mail Submision

Applicants having legal proof and with passports less than a year old are eligible to apply for a name change. This is accomplished by filling up Form DS-5504. These individuals must mail Form DS-5504 together with their old passport, their documents such as a marriage certificates and a recent passport sized picture.

Legal Documents

Applicants with legal documents for change in identity but have passports more than a year old must apply for a renewal of the document. They must accomplish Form DS-82 and mail these documents together with their passports, payment for the processing, photos, and papers that show why they are allowed to change their names. These could be court orders or marriage certificates.

Processing Center

The address where these documents are mailed is the National Passport Processing Center. For individuals wanting to avail a faster process, an expedited application is available. Enclose an additional amount inside the envelope as payment for the faster processing and mark the outside with the word “Expedite”.

Billing Statements

Those applicants who cannot show legally acceptable documents that support changing of names must apply for a new passport. A certified birth certificate is necessary. They must also show proof that they have been using a different identity than the one shown on their passports. They can use billing statements, credit card statements and school records. Because they are applicants for new passports, they must appear personally at any acceptance center for an interview and pay the application fee if they satisfy the requirements.

Wait Time

Applicants for name changes are allowed to inquire about the status of the application five to seven days after filing. The web service will ask for their surnames, dates of birth, and the last four parts of their Social Security Numbers.

Expedited Process

Applicants who paid for the regular processing or an expedited stolen passport should get their updated passports in four to six weeks. Those who chose the expedited process can expect their passports in about three weeks. A passport name change is not really a difficult process and is actually very important because it ensures that your documents are in order.

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