Name changes or corrections on the data page on a U.S. Passport

Requests for name changes or corrections on the data page on U.S. passports may be submitted to the American Citizen Services Unit during regular passport services hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.  

If you have changed your name, you may apply to have this change reflected in your passport. Please note that as of September 26, 2005, U.S. passports will no longer be amended to change items appearing on the data page; you will therefore apply for a new passport in your new name.

• If your passport was issued more than 12 months ago and you are 16 years of age or older, you must follow the instructions for Adult Renewal age 16 and over.
•  If your passport was issued more than 12 months ago and you are under 16 years of age you must follow the instructions for Minor Passport Renewal.

 If your passport was issued within the last 12 months you must submit:

• Your current U.S. Passport.
• Form DS-5504 filled out using capital letters in BLACK INK and NOT SIGNED. The instructions on this form are written for individuals applying for a passport within the United States. As applications are processed differently outside the United States, you should ignore instruction pages one and two of this form.
•  Documentary evidence to support the change. In the case of a name change you may submit a copy of a court order, marriage certificate or divorce decree. (The Department of State reserves the right to request certified copies of any such documents, as appropriate.)  To correct printing errors on the data page you must submit at least TWO (2) identifying documents such as birth certificate, previous passports or up to date photo ID (if you are recognizable) issued by a government entity, such as a valid Venezuelan cedula, a Venezuelan or other foreign passport, or a driver’s license issued in the United States.  Mutilated, altered, or damaged identifications are not acceptable as proof of identity. Your Social Security Card does not prove your identity.
• You must submit two color passport photos, size 2 inches x 2 inches (5 cm x 5 cm), taken within the last six months. The photos must have a white background. The photos cannot have any visible grain or dots from the printing process. The photos must have a glossy finish.
•  No appointment is needed in order to have your name change. 

There is no fee for this service. If you are 17 years of age or older, you may have someone else complete the application process for you at the Embassy. If you send it with a third party, make sure you include a letter authorizing the person to complete the application process for you. You must also indicate in the letter if you wish the third party to arrange delivery of the new passport by courier service or if the new passport will be picked up in person at the embassy. The courier’s delivery fee is not included in the passport fee. Please note that the consular officer can require your personal appearance if he or she has any doubts about your eligibility for a new passport. 

Important note: Applicants younger than 16 must be accompanied by both parents who must each present a valid photo ID issued by a government entity, such as a U.S. passport or other foreign passport or U.S. state drivers’ license, a Venezuelan cédula or passport. If one parent cannot come and the applying parent does not have an official document showing that he or she has sole custody of the child, a notarized statement of consent and a copy of his/her ID is required from the non-appearing parent. This statement must indicate the parent's unequivocal and unconditional consent to passport issuance. Statements notarized by foreign officials will generally be accepted but the statement must be in English. Applying parents may use the form supplied by the Department of State (DS-3053) or an affidavit of their own.