How to Change Name on Passport

“What if I received a passport with printing errors, such as name, gender, birthday, etc?”

“I have got married and changed my name, should I change my name on my passport?”

If you have similar questions, then you are in the right place. In this passage, we are going to introduce whether it is necessary to change the name on passports, what is required and how to update it.

Is it Necessary to Change Name on Passport?

A passport is one of the internationally recognized identity documents while boarding an airplane, passing the customs checkpoint, checking in a hotel, renting cars, and so on in foreign countries. It is suggested to make sure the name on travel bookings (i.e air tickets, hotels, etc), passport and IDs are the same so as to avoid the following conditions.

• delays at border crossings
• deny access to board the airplane, boat, train or bus
• rejection to enter your destination country

Therefore, it is necessary to update your new name on the passport.

Required Documents for Name Change

First of all, let’s learn about what you need to submit while requesting a name change.

• Application form

This is used to gather your personal information. How to obtain the form depends on the way you apply for the change. The application form is usually available online, in the post office or passport centers.

• Documentation of legal name change

It could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree, deed poll or other court orders. Common reasons for the change of name include a gender identity change, marital status change, adoption, or personal preference. When requesting a name change for yourself or your child, the judge will ask you to provide a good reason and issue a name change order which is required in passport renewal, replacement or application.

• Your Most Recent Passport

The name on it is different from that you are currently using. It can also be used as proof of citizenship.

• Colored passport photo

Make sure it complies with the official photo requirements of the country that you are applying from. A digital version when applying online. If you decide to take a shot at home, AiPassportPhotos, equipped with various countries’ passport photo templates, would be a good choice.

How to Change Name on Passport

The name change process is the same as renewal or new applications depending on your real situation. There might be slightly different in some countries. In this section, we will explore the general steps of updating names.

Complete the Application Form

In the US, there are a variety of passport forms available and they can be filled on Form Filler or downloaded to handwrite. When requesting the change passport within one year after the current passport is issued or your name is changed, you should complete Form DS-5504. When requesting the change passport more than one year after the current passport is issued or your name is changed, you should renew it with Form DS-82. If you are not eligible for renewal or cannot provide name change documentation, please apply for a new passport in person with Form DS-11.

When updating the name on a UK passport, you can fill out the form online or obtain it in a Post Office with Check and Send service. For online applications, make sure to choose “YES” when asked whether you have a name or surname change since your current passport is issued. Explain why you change the name, such as marriage, entry into a civil partnership, divorce, gender identity change, and so forth. For postal applications, choose ” Digital Check & Send – New & Renewals ” for photo taking and online application while ” Paper Check & Send – New & Renewals ” for paper form application.

When applying for a name change on a Canadian passport, please fill out the form online, sign each page, and print it out.

Get All Required Documents Ready

Most countries require original copies of the documents, including the US Department of State and His Majesty Passport Office.

If requesting a name change on Canadian passports, extra documents are needed besides the required documents for name change we stated before, you should also include supporting ID with the new name (such as passport, driver’s license, health card, military ID or ID card) and proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate) with either the new name or the previous name.

Submit Application

US citizens are allowed to change their name on passports by post. You should enclose the application form, supporting documents and payment receipt in a package and mail it to the address listed on the application form.

British citizens who apply online will learn what and how to send out the application on the screen while those who apply by post just bring the required documents to the post office and follow the instructions of the post office employees.

Canadian citizens can submit the application and supporting documents in person (only for applying from inside Canada) or by post. When applying in person, it is suggested to make an appointment online before visiting the Service Canada Centre or a passport office. When applying by post, the mailing information is listed as follows, depending on where you are.

Fulfill Payment

The fees for the name change on passport is the same as the renewal/application fees, USD 130 for an adult’s passport and USD 135 for a kid’s passport. Pay an extra USD 60 for expedited service and USD 19.53 for 1-2 Day Delivery. Please note that routine service of name change requested within one year of passport issuance and data or printing error correction is free of charge.

UK passport updates cost £82.50 for a standard adult’s passport and £53.50 for a child’s passport. It can be paid online or at the post office with credit or debit cards.

The application fee for Canadian passport costs CAD 160 in Canada and CAD 260 outside Canada. For expedited service, you have to pay extra CAD 50-335. It is acceptable to pay with a credit card, prepaid card, debit card, certified cheque or money order, and cheque from Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government departments.

Wait for Delivery

After all these are done, just wait for the authority to review your application and make a new passport for you. The passport status can usually be tracked on the official website. Some countries might inform you of the update through email, such as the United States.

FAQs:

Q: How long does it take to change the name on my passport?

A: It depends on where you apply from. For example, it takes 10-13 weeks for US passport, 3-10 weeks for UK passport and 10-20 business days for Canadian passport.

Q: Can I expedite the name change on my passport?

A: Yes, and you should usually apply at the counter in person. Extra documentation and extra fees are needed. A US passport processing time can be shortened to 5-7 weeks or 3 business days. A UK passport can be accelerated to 1 week or 2 business days. A Canadian passport can be obtained within 2 to 9 business days with express pick-up or by the end of next business day with urgent pick-up.

Q: Are there any unacceptable names on passports?

A: Yes, according to HMPO, the name must not cause public offense, violate trademark or copyright laws, or confuse the system.

Q: Can I use characters or accent marks in my passport?

A: You’d better not because they might be machine-unreadable, which violates the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). There are alternative spellings of names to explain this in Most languages.

Summary

Let’s make a conclusion. Due to a change in relationship status, identity change, or personal preference, you might seek to change your name, drop/invert given names, or reclaim your Indigenous name. To guarantee a smooth international trip, it is necessary to change name on your passport in the case of a difference of name on travel bookings, passports and identity documents. The process usually goes the same as passport renewal as long as you can provide documentation of name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree, deed poll or other court orders.