Change Minor Son's Name in Passport

by Aime
(San Diego, CA)

Question: I changed my son's first name last year. What forms do I need to file for a new passport? And can I do it through the mail?

I need his passport as soon as possible. I changed his name last September, so it has been well over a year. I am a single mother and the only one listed as a parent on his birth certificate. The passport he has is the passport card.

Answer: You cannot apply for a passport name change for a minor by mail. You need to appear in person with your son at a San Diego passport office or the Los Angeles passport agency.

You will get the passport in 2-6 weeks at the passport office or in one day at the regional agency.

In order to apply for your son's passport, you must submit Form DS-11, evidence of his U.S. citizenship, evidence of your relationship to him, your photo ID, a copy of the identification document and one passport photo.

You also need to present evidence of the legal name change. This must be an original or certified copy of the document which proves his name was changed legally.