How to Update a Passport

You can update your passport in person, by mail or online at the US Department of State's website. Necessary updates include correcting information, changing your name, requesting additional visa pages or requesting replacement of a limited passport. Correcting printing errors, making name changes 1 year or less from the date of issue and requesting additional visa pages do not incur any additional fees. Changing your name more than 1 year from the date of issue or at any time without legal documentation will incur fees. Replacement of a limited passport may incur a fee as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Old passport Legal documentation to support needed change Applicable fees, if any New passport photos, if requested
Old passport
Legal documentation to support needed change
Applicable fees, if any
New passport photos, if requested

Step 1

Go to the US Department of State's web page (see Resources). Click on the sidebar menu on the left side of the page where it reads "Correcting or Changing Information in Your Passport."

Step 2

Look at the chart on the page titled "Correcting and Changing Your Passport," and decide which condition applies to you.

Step 3

Click on the correct form in the column and row that applies to your condition. Complete form DS-5504 to correct information anytime or make a name change 1 year from the date of issue for your passport. Use form DS-82 for name changes more than 1 year from date of issue. Form DS-11 plus additional documentation is required for any name change without legal documentation. Use form DS-4085 when requesting additional visa pages. Name changes without legal documentation must be submitted in person.

Step 4

Read all instructions on the entire form that applies to your needed changes before proceeding. Click on one of the buttons to complete the form online or to print a form for mailing. If you click "Print a blank form," it will have the name and number of the form you are about to print following the letters DS and a hyphen.

Step 5

Click your answer to each question on the form. A pop-up window appears; it will tell you how to get a copy of the information you are giving to the US Department of State. You cannot save a copy of your form to your computer when you apply online. Complete all questions and submit all required documents as requested.

Step 6

Mail your form and any fees, plus certified copies of all requested supporting documents to the address listed on your applicable form.

Tips & Warnings

US passports or enhanced state ID are now required to reenter the US by land and sea from anywhere in the world, including Canada and Mexico.

Make sure that you are on the official US Department of State web page. Many hoax and mirror sites either phish for your personal information or charge you fees in addition to those charged by the US Department of State to complete and submit forms.

Resources

Article Written By Jane Smith

Jane Smith has provided educational support for more than 11 years, served people with multiple challenges for 26 years, rescued animals for five years, designed and repaired household items for 31 years and completed a three-year metalworking apprenticeship. Smith's book, "Giving Him the Blues," was published in 2008. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in education from Kent State University in 1995.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...