How To Update Passport

Find out how to change or update your passport. If you had a name change, or there was a data or printing error on your current passport, then pick the topic that fits your current needs below.

Update name on passport

The process to update the name on your passport can differ depending on the situation. Please review the table below to determine which applies to you.

If	Then
You request to change less than a year after your passport was issued	Please submit the following by mail: Form DS-5504 Your most recent US passport Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order One color passport photo Please note, unless you request Expedited Service, you will not have to submit any fees. You will be required to submit Form DS-5504 and any other supporting document through USPS. You cannot use any other delivery company (e.g. UPS/FedEx, DHL) as they do not deliver to the PO boxes listed on Form DS-5504.
You are requesting the change more than one year after your passport was issued	You may qualify to renew your passport through the mail using Form DS-82. If you are eligible, please submit the following by mail: Form DS-82 Your most recent US passport Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order One color passport photo Adult Renewal Applicant fees or Child Applicant fees, depending on your age Please note, you must only send your form and supporting documents through the USPS. The other companies do not deliver to the PO Boxes listed on Form DS-82. If you cannot renew your passport through the mail, then you will be required to apply for one in person. To do that, you will need to submit the following: Form DS-11 Your evidence of US citizenship and photocopy of that evidence Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order (no photocopies or notarized copies) Valid ID and photocopy of that ID One color passport photo Adult First-Time Applicant fees or Child Applicant fees, depending on your age Please note, you are not required to send proof of the name change if your name has changed due to marriage and you present an ID issued in your new name. You must include the details of the marriage in the appropriate section on Form DS-11.
You are currently using a different name, but do not have the documents showing the change with a court order, marriage certificate or divorce decree	You will need to submit the following information at a nearby passport acceptance facility, or a regional passport agency, restrictions may apply: Form DS-11 Your evidence of US citizenship Valid ID issued in the name you are currently using and photocopy of that ID One color passport photo Adult First-Time Applicant fees or Child Applicant fees, depending on your age Please note, if your name is significantly different than the name provided on the evidence for US citizenship, or your new name cannot be documented by a court order or through marriage, you will need to submit Form DS-60. This is an affidavit for a change of name. The form will need to be filled out by two people who have known you by both your names. Also, you will be required to submit three certified or original public records showing you have used your new name for at least 5 years or more.

You qualify to renew by mail using Form DS-82 if the following is met with your most recent passport:

Is submitted with your application
Is undamaged (other than normal "wear and tear")
Was issued when you were age 16 or older
Was issued within the last 15 years
Was issued in your current name (or you can document your name change with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order)

Passport correction

If you have a passport that was issued with a data error or a printing error, then they can correct your passport at no additional charge, as long as the passport is still valid. Below are some examples of data and printing errors:

Data error
Name
Sex or
Place of birth

Printing error
Data missing on biographical page
Discoloration
crooked printing

To correct a data or printing error you need to:

Complete Form DS-5504
Submit form by mail with your passport, one color photo, and evidence of the error (e.g. your US birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name)
You will not have to submit any fees

The validity of the new, corrected passport depends on when you report the error.

If	Then
Reported within a year of issue date	New passport will be valid for 10 years from date issued
Reported after one year of issue date	New passport is valid until original incorrect passport expires

Do I need to update my passport if my address changed?

No, you don't need to update your current passport with your new address. However, if you have a passport application that is currently in process, and you would like to change your mailing address, please call 877-487-2778 or 888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY).

If I don't like my passport photo, can I change it?

If your photo looks bad because of a printing error on our part, you can use Form DS-5504 to reapply at no cost to you. If your photo is printed correctly and you just dislike your photo, you may use Form DS-82 (if eligible) to re-apply. You must pay the normal fees. To view a list of services and their cost, view passport service fees.