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Do I need a new passport if my new married surname is hyphenated?

by Carol
(NY)

Question: I am recently married and my new surname is hyphenated. I want to change my driver's license to my new hyphenated surname, do I need to do the same with my passport?

Answer: Yes, you need to change the name in your passport since you have a new legal name. A person may have a hyphenated surname placed in a passport, providing the original marriage certificate, or acceptable identification in the hyphenated name, is produced. The surname joined by the hyphen may be written in the order in which the applicant uses them.

For more information about how to apply for a passport name change, click the link below.

Passport Name Change

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Hyphen between two last names
by: NY

Question: I will be naturalized next month and I was advised by the Immigration Officer during interview that they don't accept hyphen in between my two last names. So my certification will be printed without hyphen. All of my IDs and cards have a hyphen (SSN, DL, Credit Cards and even my marriage certificate). Can I still add the hyphen in between my two last names when applying a U.S. passport or should I follow the name on my naturalization certificate (no hyphen)?

Answer: You may use the hyphen. The passport will be issued in the name you enter in the application since it matches your ID (driver's license).

Hyphenated Married name
by: Anonymous

Question: I just got married and hyphenated my name. Do I need to change the name on my passport or can I just use my current passport with just my maiden name on it? My drivers license has my hyphenated married name.

Answer: You may continue to use your current passport. You will not have any issues traveling as long as you book your tickets in your maiden name to match your passport.

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