Will I receive my certified marriage license back if I send it in for a name change on my passport?

by Melissa
(Havre de Grace, MD USA)

Question: I got married in Antigua and only have one certified marriage license.

I need to change my last name and don't want to send my only certified marriage license off in the mail for a passport as I am worried that I will not get it back.

Will they return it to me or do you have any suggestions on what I should do. My passport is current and just needs a name change.

I was married in September 2009 in Antigua. It has been impossible to receive another certified copy of my marriage license from them. I called the passport office to see if I could come in person to get a name change but they said I could not.

Answer: Your marriage certificate will be returned to you. It will be sent separately from the passport so it may arrive on a different day.

You are encouraged to use protective packaging such as a Tyvek envelope. You can send the packet using a traceable delivery method. A list of options is given below.

- USPS Certified Mail
- USPS Registered Mail
- USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation
- USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation
- USPS Express Mail (for overnight delivery requests) traceable delivery method

For a list of requirements, click the link below.

Passport Name Change Requirements