Everything you need to know about Form DS-5504

What is Form DS-5504?

Form DS-5504 is the U.S. Department of State Application for a U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement. It's used when a recently issued U.S. passport needs to be updated — for example, after a legal name change within one year of issuance, to correct a printing or personal data error, to replace a limited-validity passport, or to convert a no-fee official passport. Unlike a routine passport renewal (Form DS-82) or a first-time passport application (Form DS-11), Form DS-5504 is generally fee-free when used for its intended purposes.

Who can use Form DS-5504?

Four main groups: (1) holders of a U.S. passport book or passport card whose name has legally changed within one year of the passport's issuance and who want to update the passport to reflect the new name; (2) holders who notice a printing error or incorrect personal data on a recently issued passport; (3) holders of limited-validity passports (often issued in emergency or special circumstances) needing the standard 10-year (adult) or 5-year (child) document; (4) individuals who received a no-fee official or diplomatic passport and need to convert it. If your passport is more than one year old at the time of the name change, you must apply for a renewal using Form DS-82 (with the standard renewal fee) instead.

What you'll need?

The original most-recently issued U.S. passport book or card; an original or certified copy of the legal document evidencing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order); one current color passport photo; and the completed and signed Form DS-5504. If submitting for a correction or limited-validity replacement, include documentation explaining the issue (a marked-up copy of the original passport showing the error, or the original limited-validity book). Submit by mail to the U.S. Department of State, National Passport Processing Center.

When and how to file?

File Form DS-5504 by mail along with the supporting documents and the original passport — the passport will be returned (typically by separate mailing) with your new corrected or updated passport. Routine processing takes several weeks; expedited service is available for an additional fee and reduces the wait substantially. There's no fee for using Form DS-5504 for a name change within one year of issuance, for correcting a Department of State printing error, or for replacing a limited-validity passport — though expedited service and one-day delivery carry their own fees.