What fee do I pay if I am updating my passport due to a name change and it has been more than a year?

by Sarah
(Seattle, WA, USA)

Question: I am unsure if I need the new passport book and card, the card, or just the book as listed in the fees chart? I would like to be able to use the passport everywhere.

>Answer: Since your passport was issued more than 1 year ago, you need to apply for a passport renewal using application form DS-82.

A passport book allows you to travel anywhere by land, sea or air. The passport card can only be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

The fee for the renewal of a passport book is $75.

Regular processing takes 4-6 weeks and sometimes longer. You can request expedited services and get the name changed in 2-3 weeks. The expedited service fee is $60.

Besides the application form, you must mail:

* Your current, valid U.S. passport

* Applicable fees

* An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or the government-issued document evidencing your legal name change under federal or state law. NOTE: If you do not want to send your original marriage certificate, you must send a certified copy. You can obtain a certified copy from the vital records office of the state in which you were married. Where to Write for Vital Records

* Two recent, color photos

Send your passport, application and support documents to the address listed on Form DS-82.

If you need the passport name change in less than two weeks, you should schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency or authorize a passport expediter to submit the application for you.