General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.
Which passport form to use for a name change
The State Department's form guide sets out which form fits which situation: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html. Official forms are free from the court or agency. The guide sorts cases by when the passport was issued and when the name changed. It also links to the official State Department pages for each form.
Last checked: 2026-10-10 for the court and agency pages linked here. California's filing fee was checked on the statewide civil fee schedule on 2026-10-12. Other fee figures in tables come from our state cost file, last verified 2026-10-12 (Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. filing fees in that file were verified 2026-10-09). Newspaper and certified-copy amounts were not re-checked against every county fee schedule.
Key facts
The State Department's page sorts each situation and lists the form and fee for it: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html. Current fees are on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html.
Steps
- Read the two dates. The State Department passport name-change page splits the instructions on whether it has been less than one year since both the passport was issued and the name was legally changed.
- Update Social Security as well. Updating your passport does not update Social Security. Use the Social Security name-change page (https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/change-name) with the same legal document.
What differs by state
The form is federal. The document you attach is the one your state issued. Passport name change is the older page on this site.
| State | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| California | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Florida | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Georgia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Illinois | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Massachusetts | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Michigan | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New Jersey | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New York | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| North Carolina | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Ohio | See the state guide | State guide · Court petition page |
| Pennsylvania | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Texas | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Virginia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington, D.C. | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
Free official help
The State Department page and the form instructions are the source for which form. A court self-help center does not choose the passport form.
Also on this site
- Name-change cost
- Cost calculator
- California name-change cost
- Texas name-change cost
- How long a California name change takes
- Marriage and a court order
- All name-change guides
- Order of agencies
- Documents needed
- Name change after marriage
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Passport processing times (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-09.
General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.