Jul 27 2010
Changed Names And Passport Corrections: Some Information That You Need To Know
If you have had your name legally changed, you will need to apply for a American passport name change. The procedure for this will depend on several factors, including how long ago your current passport was issued. Depending on your situation, there may or may not be a fee and you may or may not be able to make your application by mail.
If the issue date of your current passport is less than a year ago and your name has been changed legally through marriage or a court order, your passport will be reissued without a fee. The passport in your former name, along with a certified copy or original of the proof of name change and the application must be mailed in together. You also need to include two photos which are no more than 6 months old.
If the passport you currently hold was acquired more than a year ago, you will need a different application form. This can also be mailed in if you have the legally accepted proof of your name change. However, in this scenario, you will also have to send in a fee along with the application, current passport, proof of name change and photos.
If you are unable to supply legal proof of your change in name, you must make your application in person. This situation is treated similarly to applying for a new passport. You will be required to show at least three forms of public records which detail your assumed name along with your birth place and date. They must show use of the name for at least five years.
Minors who are younger than 16 must also make their passport application in person and submit all the same documentation. In addition, the parents or guardians of the child must also appear at the agency. Legal proof of the relationship of the parents or guardians to the child must also be supplied. You should check the requirements for passports for minors to be sure that you arrive with all the proper documents.
Keep in mind that it can take four to six weeks, or even up to ten, to receive your new passport. If you have a need for it sooner, it is best to request your American passport form to be expedited. In this case, you will also need to include the additional fee for this service. This service can be requested for any passport application.
Even when a passport is expedited, it can still take 2 to 3 weeks to get to you. If you are in an emergency situation in which you need the revised passport sooner, you may want to contact a passport expediting company to speed up the process.
If you are able to mail in your U S passport name change application, package all the documentation in a secure manner. It is recommended to send it via a method that you can trace. It is also a good idea to make your life a little less stressful and send in your passport application when you change your name instead of waiting until you plan to travel.
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