Passport Name Change While Abroad?

by Ashley
(VT)

Question: I currently have a passport that does not expire until 2013. My fiance and I are getting married this June. He is in the US Military and is stationed overseas in Germany. Our plan is to have me move back there with him after we get married, but we aren't sure what we will have to do about my passport.

Would I be able to live on post in Germany with my maiden name on my passport? Could I apply for a new passport with my changed name while living in Germany? How long would it take to receive a new passport? Please let me know any information you have. Thanks =)

Answer: You can travel to Germany with your current passport that has your maiden name in it as long as your ticket is purchased in the same name. Once you arrive in Germany, you can visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in order to change the name in your passport.

Also, you can apply for a no fee passport as the wife of someone who is in the military. Note, a no fee passport cannot be used for leisure travel. You need to use your regular, tourist passport for this. To obtain the no fee passport, you should visit the Installation Travel Office at the base where your fiance is located.

Click the link below for information on changing the name on your passport in Germany.

Passport Services at U.S. Embassy in Berlin