Quick summary
#U.S. passport holders correcting a name or data error, or replacing a limited passport, within one year of issuance. Check the official DS-5504 instructions to confirm you qualify.
You may use this form if your name has changed less than one year after your U.S. passport book and/or card was issued.
Mail the signed DS-5504 with your most recently issued passport book and/or card, your certified name-change or correction evidence, and one 2 x 2 inch color photograph to the address in the official instructions. DS-5504 is the application itself, not an attachment to another form.
The new name on the form and the name on the certified name-change document, character for character The passport number and issue date on the form and the passport book and/or card in the envelope Certified evidence and its certified English translation, where the original is not in English
Overview (What is Form DS-5504?)
#Overall, the DS-5504 is a vital tool for ensuring that a U.S. passport accurately reflects the holder's current name and personal details, thereby facilitating smooth international travel and identification. To apply, download and print the current DS-5504 application from the Department of State forms site, complete every required field, and submit it by mail together with your most recently issued passport book and/or card, your name-change or correction evidence, and a photograph. There is no online filing option for this form.
If you live outside the United States, submit the application through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate rather than a domestic passport agency. If your passport is simply expiring, or was issued more than a year ago, DS-5504 is the wrong form and the renewal and in-person routes are covered in the DS-82 and DS-11 guides linked below.
First page of DS-5504 form
Source: DS-5504 PDF
Context and workflow
#Processing times for the DS-5504 can vary depending on the case type and current workload. For the most accurate estimate, consult the official Department of State processing time tool.
Why this matters
- Inconsistencies between the form, the enclosed passport, and the name-change document trigger returns, because the Department of State cannot verify which version of your details is correct.
- A returned DS-5504 costs weeks and comes with your only passport in the envelope, so an error here is an error you cannot travel around.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Initiating the process to update or correct passport information.
- Adjudication against the enclosed passport and your name-change or correction evidence.
- Passport production, and delivery of the corrected and cancelled passports by mail.
Who uses it
The DS-5504 form is for applicants who are U.S. passport holders eligible to re-apply for a U.S. passport book and/or card at no cost, unless expedited service is requested. You may use this form if you have changed your name by marriage or court order less than one year after your most recent U.S. passport was issued, or if your identifying information was printed incorrectly. Additionally, if your most recent U.S. passport book was obtained at the full passport fee and limited to two years or less for reasons other than multiple losses or serious damage, you are eligible to use this form. Ensure you submit your most recently issued U.S. passport book and/or card with any data or printing errors, along with a recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches in size.
When it is used
- You may use this form if your name has changed less than one year after your U.S. passport book and/or card was issued.
Failure prevention (What causes Form DS-5504 rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Submitting the form without the necessary supporting documents.
- Failure to provide the current passport for processing.
- Ensure form edition is current
Substantive weaknesses
- To avoid incomplete or inconsistent information across the form: Use exact passport and document details; review all answers before submission.
- To avoid a returned application: Enclose your most recently issued passport containing the data or printing error.
- To avoid rejected name changes: Attach a certified marriage certificate or court order that exactly matches the requested name.
- To avoid photo rejections: Submit one recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches, meeting the official photo requirements.
What it asks for (What does Form DS-5504 ask for?)
#- The name you want printed on the corrected passport, and the name exactly as it is printed in the passport you are enclosing
- Your date and place of birth as they should read once the correction is made
- Your mailing address, phone number, and email, so both passports can be returned to you
- The book and/or card number of your most recently issued U.S. passport, and its date of issue
- Which change you are requesting: a name change, a correction of misprinted identifying data, or replacement of a limited-validity passport
- Whether you are requesting expedited service, which is the only part of a DS-5504 filing that carries a charge
- Your signature and the date you signed the printed form
Field-by-field guidance
#| Field | What it should match | Common mistake | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name you are requesting on the new passport | The certified marriage certificate, court order, or decree you enclose | Entering a shortened, hyphenated, or reordered version of the new name | Copy the new name exactly as it appears on the certified name-change document, character for character |
| Name as printed in your current passport | The passport book and/or card you are enclosing | Writing the new name in both places, leaving no record of what is being changed | Enter the old name here exactly as printed, even if it is the misspelling you are asking to correct |
| Most recent passport book and/or card number | The number printed on the passport you are enclosing | Using an older passport's number, or transposing digits | Read the number directly off the document going in the envelope, not from a photocopy or memory |
| Passport issue date | The date of issue printed inside the enclosed passport | Entering the expiration date, or a date more than one year old that makes you ineligible | Confirm the issue date is less than one year ago before filing; if it is not, use DS-82 or DS-11 instead |
| Date and place of birth | Your birth certificate and the enclosed passport | Correcting the birth data silently instead of identifying it as the printing error | Enter the correct data and make clear on the form which printed field is wrong |
| Mailing address | An address that will receive mail for the full processing window | Using an address you are about to move away from | Both the corrected passport and your returned passport arrive by mail, separately — use an address valid for both |
| Signature and date | The signature block on the printed form | Mailing an unsigned or undated application | Sign in ink after printing; an unsigned DS-5504 is returned without being adjudicated |
What you need (What do you need for Form DS-5504?)
#- The current edition of DS-5504, printed fresh rather than reused from a saved file
- Payment for the optional expedite fee only if you request expedited service — standard DS-5504 service is free; see the Fees section for the current amount and the official fee schedule
- A certified original or certified copy of your proof of name change — a marriage certificate, court order, or decree; uncertified photocopies are returned
- Your most recently issued U.S. passport book and/or card containing the data or printing error
- A recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches in size
Checklist (What is the Form DS-5504 checklist?)
#- Access the latest DS-5504 form and accompanying instructions directly from the official Department of State website.
- Review the official DS-5504 instructions before filing
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of DS-5504
- Sign, date, and submit DS-5504 with all required supporting evidence
Sources for this section
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard serviceNo fee for a name change, data correction, or limited-passport replacement filed within one year of issuance. | See official schedule |
| Expedited service (optional)An expedite fee applies only if you request faster processing. The amount is revised periodically, so take the current figure from the official fee schedule below rather than from any third-party page. | See official schedule |
Can the Form DS-5504 fee be waived?
There is no fee to waive. DS-5504 is free for a name change, data correction, or limited-passport replacement filed within one year of issuance; the only optional charge is the expedite fee for faster processing, shown on the official fee schedule.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
Department of State will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: There is no fee-waiver process for DS-5504 because standard service is already free. The only charge is the optional expedite fee if you request expedited service, at the amount shown on the official fee schedule. For a related passport form, see Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport (DS-64).
Department of State fee schedule
Fees change; always verify on Department of State.
Processing times
#- Routine and expedited service carry separate published estimates. Expedited service shortens adjudication only — it does not speed up the mail, so add mailing time in both directions to whichever figure applies to you.
- Processing times differ by application type. Initial applications, renewals, and name-change or data-correction filings go through different queues, and some consistently take longer than others.
- Name-change and data-correction filings are processed differently than initial passport applications. If you have upcoming travel, file as early as possible and consider requesting expedited service.
- The passport agency assigned to your application affects how long it takes. Department of State distributes filings across multiple agencies and centers, each with a different workload, and you cannot choose which one processes yours.
- To check your estimated timeline: visit the official Department of State processing times tool and read the current routine and expedited estimates, remembering that they describe adjudication and exclude the days your envelope spends in transit each way.
- While pending: follow progress with the online passport status tool using your last name, date of birth, and the Social Security number on the application; respond by mail to any Department of State request for missing evidence; and avoid moving mid-process, because both your corrected passport and your enclosed passport are returned by mail.
Where to file
#DS-5504 is a mail-only application — there is no online filing option. Print the completed form, sign and date it, and mail it with your most recently issued passport book and/or card, your name-change or correction evidence, and one 2 x 2 inch color photograph to the address in the official DS-5504 instructions.
Submit application
Print the completed DS-5504, sign it, and mail the package to the address given in the official instructions — the correct address depends on whether you request routine or expedited service, so confirm it before you send. Use a trackable mailing service, because your original passport is inside.
Submit application
If you live outside the United States, submit the application to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate rather than a domestic passport agency. Each post publishes its own appointment and submission procedure, so check that post's instructions first and allow extra time for the application to travel back to the United States.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official Department of State website before submitting. If you are outside the United States, submit your application through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. For related guidance, see Statement of Consent for Issuing a U.S. Passport to a Minor (DS-3053).
Form sections (What sections does Form DS-5504 have?)
#Applicant Information
Your identifying details as they should appear on the corrected passport.
- Full legal name (and prior name, if changed)
- Date and place of birth
- Most recent U.S. passport book and/or card number and issue date
- Mailing address, phone number, and email
Reason for Application
Indicate why you are eligible to use DS-5504.
- Name change by marriage or court order within one year of issuance
- Correction of misprinted identifying information
- Replacement of a limited-validity passport issued at the full fee
Supporting Documents
Evidence you must submit with the form.
- Most recently issued U.S. passport book and/or card containing the error
- Certified name-change document (marriage certificate or court order), if applicable
- One recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete or inconsistent information across the form | Rejection | Use exact passport and document details; review all answers before submission. |
| Not enclosing the current passport with the error | Returned application | Submit your most recently issued passport book and/or card containing the data or printing error. |
| Missing or mismatched name-change documentation | Rejection | Attach a certified marriage certificate or court order that exactly matches the requested name. |
| Filing more than one year after issuance | Ineligible | Use DS-82 or DS-11 instead — DS-5504 only applies within one year of issuance. |
Examples (What are examples for Form DS-5504?)
#- Strong application: An applicant submits the form with a certified marriage certificate and their current passport, resulting in a timely update of their passport.
- Common weakness: An applicant forgets to include their current passport with the form, causing a delay as the form is returned for completion.
- A person whose passport was printed with the wrong date or place of birth submits DS-5504 with that passport enclosed and the error is corrected at no charge.
- A citizen holding a limited-validity passport that was issued at the full passport fee, for a reason other than multiple losses or serious damage, applies with DS-5504 for a full-validity replacement.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form DS-5504?)
#- A photocopy of your passport is enough — It is not. The physical passport book and/or card has to go in the envelope so it can be cancelled and returned; a package containing only a copy is sent back.
- DS-5504 can be filed online — There is no online option. It is a paper application, printed and mailed with your original passport enclosed.
- Some applicants assume that any passport issued within the last year is eligible for correction with DS-5504, but it may need to specifically be for name changes, data corrections, or limited passport replacements.
- Filing DS-5504 extends the validity of your passport — It does not. A corrected passport generally carries the same expiration date as the passport you submit, so a name change or data correction adds no validity.
- You can use DS-5504 no matter how old your current passport is — Eligibility turns on the issuance date. DS-5504 applies only within one year of issuance; after that, use DS-82 if you qualify to renew by mail, or DS-11 if you do not.
- DS-5504 replaces a lost, stolen, or damaged passport — It does not. Report a lost or stolen passport on DS-64 and apply again in person on DS-11; a passport that is damaged or mutilated also requires DS-11.
Edge cases and variations
#- If your name changed and your passport was then lost or stolen, DS-5504 cannot help: report the loss on DS-64 and apply in person on DS-11 in the new name.
- If the one-year window closes while you are gathering the certified name-change document, stop and switch to DS-82 — a late DS-5504 comes back unadjudicated.
In-depth guidance
#DS-5504, DS-82, DS-11, or DS-64: choosing the right passport form
The most common DS-5504 mistake is filing it when a different form applies. Four Department of State forms cover overlapping passport situations, and the passport already in your hand is what decides which one is yours.
Use DS-5504 when the passport you hold is correct in every respect except your name or the identifying data printed in it, and it was issued within the last year. The reissued passport costs nothing unless you request expedited service.
Use DS-82 when the passport is simply expiring or has expired and you meet the conditions for renewing by mail. A name change more than one year after issuance also goes on DS-82, with the certified evidence attached, rather than on DS-5504.
Use DS-11, applied for in person, when you have never held a U.S. passport, when your passport was issued more than one year ago and you do not qualify to renew by mail, when it is damaged or mutilated, or when it was limited because of multiple losses. Applicants under 16 always apply on DS-11.
Use DS-64 to report a passport that was lost or stolen. DS-64 is filed together with DS-11, never with DS-5504, and there is no lost-passport situation that DS-5504 can resolve.
The one-year window, and what a corrected passport does not give you
Eligibility for DS-5504 turns on a single date: the date of issue printed inside your passport. Not the date your name changed, and not the date you noticed the error. Find that date before you do anything else, because every other decision depends on it.
If the issue date falls within the last year, you file DS-5504 and pay nothing for standard service. If it falls outside that window, DS-5504 is unavailable no matter how complete your package is, and the application comes back to you unadjudicated.
A corrected passport is not a fresh term of validity. For a name change or a data correction, the replacement generally carries the same expiration date as the passport you sent in, so it buys no extra years and is not a substitute for renewal. The exception is a limited-validity passport issued at the full passport fee for a reason other than multiple losses or serious damage, where DS-5504 is how you obtain the full-validity book.
Both the corrected passport and the passport you enclosed are mailed back to you, usually in separate envelopes and not necessarily on the same day. Plan travel around the arrival of the corrected document rather than the published adjudication estimate, which excludes the days your envelope spends in transit in each direction.
Assembling the mailed package
DS-5504 is a paper filing with no online option, so the envelope is the entire application. Anything missing from it becomes a returned application rather than a question you can answer quickly.
Print the current edition of the form rather than reusing a saved file, complete every required field either by typing into the PDF before printing or in black ink afterwards, then sign and date it. An unsigned application is among the most frequent reasons a package comes straight back.
Enclose the passport book and/or card that carries the name to be changed or the printing error. A photocopy will not do, because the Department of State needs the physical document in order to cancel and return it.
For a name change, enclose a certified original or certified copy of the marriage certificate, court order, or decree showing the new name, and check that the spelling on it matches the form exactly. For a data correction the enclosed passport is itself the evidence, so no third-party document is required.
Add one recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches, meeting the official photo standard, and send the package with a trackable mailing service, because your only passport is inside it. Keep a copy of the completed application and a note of the tracking number.
Self-audit before you submit
#- The date of issue printed inside my passport is less than one year ago, so DS-5504 is the correct form for my situation.
- I printed the current edition of DS-5504 from the official Department of State forms site rather than a saved file or a third-party copy.
- Every required field is filled in, and the form is signed and dated in ink.
- The new name on the form matches my certified name-change document character for character, including hyphens and middle names.
- My most recently issued passport book and/or card is physically in the envelope — not a photocopy of it.
- The name-change document is a certified original or certified copy, with a certified English translation if it is not in English.
- One recent color photograph, 2 x 2 inches, is attached and meets the official Department of State photo standard.
- Payment for the expedite fee is enclosed only because I requested expedited service; standard service requires no payment.
- The mailing address on the form will still receive mail when the corrected passport and my returned passport arrive separately.
- I am mailing to the filing address that matches the service level I requested, using a trackable service, and I kept a copy of the application and the tracking number.
Scenarios
#An applicant changed their name by marriage three months after their passport was issued and files DS-5504 with a certified marriage certificate and their current passport.
The passport is reissued in the new name at no charge, and the original passport is returned with the corrected one.
File within one year of issuance and include certified proof of the name change to avoid delays.
An applicant notices their place of birth was misprinted on a passport issued two months ago and submits DS-5504 to correct the data error.
The Department of State corrects the printing error and reissues the passport at no cost.
Submit the passport that contains the error along with the form so the correction can be verified.
An applicant needs the corrected passport quickly for upcoming travel and requests expedited service.
The application is processed on an expedited basis after paying the expedite fee; standard DS-5504 service otherwise carries no fee. See the Fees section for the current expedite amount and the official fee schedule.
Only expedited service carries a fee. Request it if you have near-term travel and can pay the expedite fee shown on the official fee schedule.
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form DS-11: Application for U.S. Passport: Alternative option: DS-11 required if passport was issued more than 1 year ago or is damaged
- Unlike Form DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application: Alternative option: DS-82 for standard renewal; DS-5504 for name change or correction within 1 year
- Unlike Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport: If passport with old name was lost, DS-64 and DS-11 required instead
What happens after you submit
#- Mail the signed DS-5504 with your enclosed passport, your certified evidence, and your photograph, using a trackable service.
- Track the envelope yourself — the Department of State does not send a receipt notice for a mailed DS-5504.
- Once the application is in the system, follow it with the online passport status tool.
- The Department of State reviews the application against the enclosed passport and your evidence, and writes to you by mail if anything is missing.
- The corrected passport is produced and mailed to you, and the passport you enclosed is cancelled and returned separately.
Verification
#This guide is based on official Department of State instructions for the DS-5504 and is updated with any changes in form editions or filing rules. Always confirm current requirements through the official Department of State website.
Resources
#Free United States planning tools
#Itemize the government fees that go alongside Form DS-5504.
United States eligibility checker
See which United States visas your profile fits before you finalize Form DS-5504.
United States processing times
Get the typical wait time for the visa associated with Form DS-5504.
United States interview practice
Practice United States interview questions if your filing route includes one.