Can I renew my passport before my wedding with the name I will take once I'm married?

by Courtney
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

Question: My passport is due to expire in May. I am getting married in September and going on honeymoon out of the country. If I renew it now it will have my current last name on it and I will then have to renew it again once I am married (and pay another renewal fee). Is there a way for me to renew it before the wedding with the last name I will be taking once I'm married?

Answer: You must renew your passport in the name which you have at the time you submit the application. Since this will be before your wedding, then you must renew your passport in your maiden name.

If you apply for a passport name change within one year after your passport is issued, there is no fee for this service. Therefore, the only additional expense you will have to change the name in your passport after you are married is postage.

Note, you should make reservations for your honeymoon travels in your maiden name since TSA's Secure Flight Program requires the name on your ticket/boarding pass to exactly match the name in your passport.

For complete instructions on renewing your passport, click the link below.

How to Renew Passports