A Bride's Guide to Passport Name Changes

As a bride-to-be, you’ve probably carefully planned your dress and bouquet and wedding reception, but have you thought about changing the name on your passport? If you will be changing your name due to your marriage, you will need to update your US passport to reflect your new name. We know you have endless details to deal with now, and while we can’t help you with your seating chart or the difficult choice between buttercream cake frosting or fondant, we can help you with your passport name change!

Brides with Passports Issued More than One Year Ago

If you currently have a valid passport that was issued more than one year ago, you will need to renew your passport to have a passport issued in your new married name. You will need to submit an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate along with Form DS-82 and all the other requirements for a passport renewal. Your marriage certificate will function as proof of your new legal name. You will need to pay the standard passport renewal fees and your new passport will be valid for a full ten years.

When you complete your passport application, you will fill in your new married name at the beginning of the application. You will fill in your previous name as printed in your passport in the "Your Most Recent Passport" section.