U.S. PASSPORT
How to update your legal name and/or gender marker on your U.S. passport through the U.S. Department of State.
This process differs based on your individual circumstances. The U.S. Department of State has an online Form Filler tool to help guide you through the process. After completing the online form filler, you will have to print the completed application and, depending on your eligibility, either:
mail your application and supporting documents to the National Passport Processing Center
submit your application and supporting documents in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility
The U.S. Department of State allows M, F, and X gender markers on U.S. passports. No medical or legal documentation is required to update your gender marker. Some countries do not recognize the X gender marker. See the U.S. Department of State's LGBTQI+ Travelers webpage for additional guidance.
The U.S. Department of State provides additional information on the name change process here and the gender marker change process here.
The typical steps and required forms for U.S. citizens or non-citizen U.S. nationals to apply for a U.S. passport when located within the U.S. at the time of application are described below.
Updating Name and/or gender marker Using Form DS-82
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Updating name and/or Gender Marker using form ds-11
STEP 2
STEP 1
Step 3
Step 4
Updating Name and/or Gender marker using “U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals” (Form DS-82)
Verify your eligibility to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82
STEP 1
If you already have a U.S. passport, you can update your name and/or gender marker on it by mail using form DS-82 if all of the following are true:
You can submit your most recent U.S. passport with the application
You were age 16 or older when your most recent U.S. passport was issued
Your most recent U.S. passport was issued less than 15 years ago
The passport you are renewing is undamaged aside from normal “wear and tear”
Your passport was not limited to less than the normal ten-year validity period due to passport damage/mutilation, multiple passport thefts/losses, or non-compliance with 22 C.F.R. 51.41. (Refer to the last page of your U.S. passport book for endorsement information.)
Your name has not changed since your most recent U.S. passport was issued OR you can submit proper certified documentation to reflect your name change (meaning, you can provide an original or certified copy of your name change court order).
If you do not meet the requirements above to update your passport by mail or are applying for your first U.S. passport, scroll down to "UPDATING NAME AND/OR GENDER MARKER USING “U.S. PASSPORT APPLICATION” (FORM DS-11) for the steps to obtain a U.S. passport that reflects your current legal name and/or desired gender marker.
Note: If your current passport is less than one year old AND you legally changed your name less than one year ago:
You can apply by mail using Form DS-5504. In this scenario, you will not have to pay any fees unless you request expedited service.
If you are eligible to renew your passport using Form DS-82, you will need to mail your application with your most recent U.S. passport, an original or certified copy of your name change court order (if applicable), a color photo, and payment.
Gather supporting documents
STEP 2
Gather the following documents:
Your most recent U.S. passport.
If you are changing the name on your passport: Certified copy of your Name Change Court Order (this is the probate court-issued proof of your new legal name) - this document will be returned to you.
A color photo eligible for passport use. Tips from the U.S. Department of State are available here.
Payment of $130 in the form of a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State”.
Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service.
Add $21.36 to your application fee if you want your completed passport shipped in 1-2 days after it has been issued.
Write your full name and date of birth on the front, center, at the top of the check or money order.
Download and complete Form DS-82
STEP 3
Download the U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (Form DS-82) here or from the website of the U.S. Department of State here. Please note that when you print the form, it must be single sided; doubled sided forms will be rejected.
Alternatively, the U.S. Deparment of State offers a free online form filler tool that will help you choose and complete the correct form based on your individual circumstances. You will still have to print the completed form to mail it after using the online form filler.
Read the instructions on Pages 1-4.
Fill out the information on Pages 5-6. Use a black pen.
Select the type of passport document you are requesting. Note that the typical passport used for international travel is the “U.S. Passport Book.” For most people, the “Regular Book (Standard)” is sufficient, unless you travel abroad frequently.
Line 1: Fill in your current legal name (if you’ve obtained a legal name change through probate court, use that name on line 1, not the name currently on your passport).
Line 3: Select the gender you want to appear on your new passport.
If the gender marker you select is different than the one that appears on your current passport, check the box "Yes" under "Changing gender marker?".
The gender marker you select does not have to match the gender on your supporting documents.
You will not have to provide medical or legal evidence as “proof” of your gender.
Line 9: List any other names you have legally gone by.
Line 10: Fill in the information from your current U.S. passport.
Affix the color photograph.
Line 11: Fill in information from your legal name change (if applicable).
Fill in all information requested on Page 2.
Mail in your application and supporting documents
STEP 4
You must mail your application and supporting documents using the United States Postal Service (USPS). The U.S. Department of State recommends selecting a trackable mailing service.
Mail your completed application and supporting documents to:
For Routine Service:
National Passport Processing Center
P.O. Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-015For Expedited Service:
National Passport Processing Center
P.O. Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955
***Write “Expedite” on the outer envelope.***
Be sure to include:
Completed form DS-82
Most recently issued U.S. passport
Original or certified copy of your name change court order (if applicable)
Photo
Payment
Once your application has been submitted, you can track the status online here.
Routine Service: it will take 6-8 weeks for your new passport to be issued after your application arrives at the processing center.
Expedited Service: It will take 2-3 weeks for your new passport to be issued after your application arrives at the processing center.
Keep in mind that it may take 2-4 weeks in addition to the above processing time to receive your new passport from the time that you mail your application.
Supporting documents may be mailed back to you separately from your new passport.
Updating Name and/or Gender Marker Using “U.S. Passport Application” (Form DS-11)
Verify your eligibility to apply for a U.S. Passport using form DS-11
STEP 1
Use “U.S. Passport Application” (form DS-11) to apply for a passport that reflects your current legal name and/or desired gender marker if any of the following is true:
You are applying for your first U.S. passport
You are under the age of 16
Your previous U.S. passport was:
issued when you were under the age of 16
issued more than 15 years ago
lost, stolen, or damaged
Please Note: if you are applying for your first U.S. Passport, you have changed your name legally, and you have already updated your name with Social Security and on all your supporting documents, you will not need to provide proof of your legal name change. If any of the supporting documents submitted with your application do not reflect your current legal name or you have been previously issued a U.S. passport in a different name, you will need to provide proof of your legal name change.
We recommend updating your name with Social Security, on your license, and birth certificate, if possible, before applying for a passport.
Gather supporting documents
STEP 2
When applying for a U.S. passport using Form DS-11, you will need to appear in person at a passport Acceptance Facility (or Passport Agency if you will be traveling in less than 3 weeks) with your proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, an original or certified copy of your name change order (if applicable), photo, and payment.
You will need to submit the following documents along with your application:
Evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate – you will need an original or certified copy and photocopy.
The photocopy should be black and white on 8.5 x 11 paper and single-sided. The photocopy will not be returned to you.
Valid photo ID and photocopy of that ID, such as a driver’s license, valid or expired passport book or card, military ID, federal, state, or city government employee ID, certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
The photo ID must resemble your current appearance.
The photocopy should be black and white on 8.5 x 11 paper and single-sided. The photocopy will not be returned to you.
Original or certified copy of your name change court order - if you have legally changed your name and you were previously issued a passport in a different name or your evidence of U.S. citizenship or your photo ID does not show your current legal name.
The court order document will be returned to you.
We recommend updating your name on your Social Security record, the document you will use as your evidence of U.S. citizenship, and your photo ID before applying for a passport, if possible, to avoid potential barriers.
If you are applying for your first U.S. passport, have changed your name legally, and updated your name with Social Security, on your proof of U.S. citizenship document, and photo ID, you will not need to provide proof of your name change.
A color photo eligible for passport use. Tips from the U.S. Department of State are available here.
Payment: you will pay two separate fees totaling $165, including an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and an execution (acceptance) fee to the Acceptance Facility.
$130 application fee in the form of a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State”.
Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service.
Add $21.36 to your application fee if you want your completed passport shipped in 1-2 days after it has been issued.
Write your full name and date of birth on the front, center, at the top of the check or money order.
$35 execution (acceptance) fee in the form specified by the Acceptance Facility.
Download and complete Form DS-11
Step 3
Download the U.S. Passport Application (Form DS-11) here or from the website of the U.S. Department of State here. Please note that when you print the form, it must be single sided; doubled sided forms will be rejected.
Alternatively, the U.S. Deparment of State offers a free online form filler tool that will help you choose and complete the correct form based on your individual circumstances. You will still have to print the completed form to submit it after using the online form filler.
Read the instructions on Pages 1-4.
Fill out the information on Pages 5-6. Use a black pen.
Select the type of passport document you are requesting. Note that the typical passport used for international travel is the “U.S. Passport Book.” For most people, the “Regular Book (Standard)” is sufficient, unless you travel abroad frequently.
Line 1: Fill in your current legal name
if you’ve obtained a legal name change through probate court, use that name on line 1. You will have to provide evidence of your legal name change if you were previously issued a passport in a different name or your supporting documents do not show your current legal name - see step 2 above.
Lines 3: Select the gender marker you want to appear on your new passport.
If you were previously issued a passport showing a different gender marker than the gender marker you are selecting on your application, check “Yes” under “Changing gender marker?”.
The gender marker you select does not have to match the gender on your supporting documents.
You will not have to provide medical or legal evidence as “proof” of your gender.
Line 9: List any names, other than your current legal name, you have legally gone by, if applicable.
Affix the color photograph.
Do not sign page 1 until you are instructed to by the passport agent when you appear in person to submit your application.
Fill in all information requested on Page 2.
Appear in person at a passport acceptance facility
STEP 4
Find your nearest passport Acceptance Facility here. Examples of common passport acceptance facilities include authorized post offices, courthouses, public libraries, and other government offices.
Please note, that if you are traveling to a foreign country in the next 3 weeks, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days, you will need to make an appointment at a Passport Agency to submit your application.
Be sure to bring with you:
Completed (but not signed) form DS-11
Proof of citizenship and a photocopy
Photo ID and a photocopy
Proof of legal name change, if applicable
Color photo
Payment for both the application fee and the execution fee.
Once your application has been submitted, you can track the status online here.
Routine Service: it will take 6-8 weeks for your new passport to be issued after your application arrives at the processing center.
Expedited Service: It will take 2-3 weeks for your new passport to be issued after your application arrives at the processing center.
Keep in mind that it may take 2-4 weeks in addition to the above processing time to receive your new passport from the time that you submit your application at the acceptance facility.
Supporting documents may be mailed back to you separately from your new passport. Photocopies of any supporting documents will not be returned to you; only original or certified copies will be returned.
FORMS TO COMPLETE
(The form you use to apply for a passport that reflects your current legal name and/or desired gender marker depends on your eligibility - see above or the instructions pages of each form.)