How Much Is a Passport Name Change: DS-5504, DS-82, and DS-11

A passport name change costs between $0 and $165 in government fees. Which end of that range you land on depends on two dates: when your current passport was issued and when your name legally changed. The closer those dates sit to today, the less you pay.

The Three Forms and What Each One Costs

The Department of State routes every name change onto one of three tracks, and the form determines the fee.¹

Form DS-5504: no application fee. Available when less than a year has passed since either your passport was issued or your name was legally changed.
Form DS-82: $130 for a passport book. Available when more than a year has passed since both dates, provided the passport still qualifies for mail-in renewal.
Form DS-11: $165 total for a passport book ($130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance facility fee). Required when the passport doesn’t qualify for renewal by mail.

Certain conditions push you to the most expensive form no matter how recent your name change is: a passport issued before you turned 16, a passport expired more than 15 years, significant damage, or an inability to submit the current passport with your application.

The Free Path: Form DS-5504

DS-5504 is the only track with no application fee. You qualify if less than one year has passed since either your passport was issued or your name was legally changed.¹ The second condition is the one applicants often overlook: even if your passport is several years old, a name change within the last 12 months still puts you on the free form.²

You mail in the completed DS-5504, your current passport, one 2×2-inch color passport photo, and the original or certified copy of your legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order.³ The only government charge you might pay on this path is the $60 expedite fee if you need faster processing. Budget for USPS postage as well, since the application must be sent through the Postal Service.

The $130 Path: Form DS-82

Once more than a year has passed since both your passport’s issue date and your legal name change, the free option closes. If your passport still qualifies for renewal by mail, you’ll file Form DS-82 and pay the standard $130 renewal fee for a passport book.⁴

Your passport qualifies for DS-82 if it was issued when you were 16 or older, issued within the last 15 years, is undamaged beyond normal wear, and can be submitted with your application.¹ Because you’re mailing everything in, there’s no $35 acceptance facility fee on this path.

You’ll include your current passport, one color photo, and the original or a certified copy of your name change document. The Department of State accepts marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and court-ordered name change documents.⁵

The $165 Path: Form DS-11

DS-11 is the most expensive route because it stacks two charges and requires an in-person visit. You’ll file it if your passport was issued before you turned 16, has been expired more than 15 years, is significantly damaged, or can’t be submitted with the application.¹

For adults applying for a passport book, the total is $165: a $130 application fee paid to the Department of State plus a $35 acceptance facility fee paid to the location where you apply, like a post office or clerk’s office.⁴ The facility fee is unavoidable here because DS-11 must be filed in person before an acceptance agent.

You’ll also need proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid photo ID, one color photo, and the legal document showing your name change. If your previous passport is lost or too damaged to submit, additional documentation to establish identity and citizenship may be required.

Children Under 16

Passports for children under 16 always require Form DS-11 because they aren’t eligible for renewal by mail. A child’s passport book is $100 in application fees plus the $35 facility fee, for a total of $135.⁴ Both parents or guardians generally need to appear in person or provide notarized consent.

Passport Card Fees

Passport card fees run lower than book fees. Passport cards are valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. A name change on a passport card through DS-5504 is free, the same as for a book.¹ Renewing a card by DS-82 costs $30, and applying for a card by DS-11 costs $65 ($30 application fee plus $35 facility fee).⁴

Expedited Processing and Faster Delivery

Whichever form you file, you can add $60 per application for expedited processing. That shortens turnaround from the routine 4 to 6 weeks down to 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing time in either direction.⁴ On the free DS-5504 path, the $60 expedite charge is the only government fee you’ll pay.¹

For faster return shipping, add $22.05 for 1-3 day delivery of the finished passport book to your U.S. mailing address. This option is not available for passport cards.⁶ Include the shipping fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State.⁷

Other Costs to Budget For

Government fees aren’t the whole picture. A few side expenses catch applicants off guard.

Passport Photos

Every application requires one compliant color photo. In 2026, retail prices range from about $8 at discount retailers to $17 at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. The U.S. Postal Service charges $15 by appointment through its website. Taking a compliant photo at home with a smartphone and printing it costs under a dollar, though getting the background, lighting, and dimensions right takes some care.

Certified Name Change Documents

You must submit an original or certified copy of the legal document proving your name change. If you don’t already have one, a certified marriage certificate or divorce decree from a vital records office typically runs $10 to $25, with fees varying by jurisdiction. Court-ordered name change documents may cost more depending on the court’s fee schedule. The Department of State returns these documents after processing, but many applicants order an extra certified copy as a backup.

Private Expediting Services

Third-party passport expediting companies exist but are not affiliated with the Department of State and can charge several hundred dollars in additional fees. Some charge for services the government offers for free, like filling out forms or scheduling appointments.⁷ Unless you’re in a genuine time crunch and can’t get an agency appointment, the cost is rarely justified.

Free Correction for a Government Printing Error

If your passport arrived with a misspelled name, incorrect data, or a printing defect caused by the Department of State, the correction is free regardless of when the passport was issued. You still file Form DS-5504, but unlike a standard name change you owe nothing at all, including no expedite fee. Submit the form with your current passport, one photo, and evidence of the error, such as a birth certificate showing the correct spelling.¹

1
U.S. Department of State. Change or Correct a Passport
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USEmbassy.gov. DS-5504 – Wizard Results
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U.S. Department of State. Form DS-5504
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U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
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U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport by Mail
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U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees for Acceptance Facilities
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U.S. Department of State. Get My Passport Fast