DS-5504 — Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Replacement
Short answer
The free, mail-in form for fixing a printing error, changing your name shortly after issuance, or replacing a limited-validity passport.
- Who it's for
- People whose passport was issued less than one year ago, is undamaged, and needs a name or data correction.
- How it's filed
- By mail with the current passport, a new photo, and supporting documents.
- Fees
- No fee within one year of issuance. Expedited service and faster return shipping still cost extra.
- Timing
- Routine 4–6 weeks, expedited 2–3 weeks.
How to complete it
- 1
Check the one-year window
If the passport was issued more than a year ago, you use DS-82 (if you qualify) or DS-11 and pay the standard fees.
- 2
Attach the legal proof
Certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a name change. Originals are returned to you.
- 3
Include a new photo
Even a data correction needs a fresh 2x2 photo taken within the last six months.
Tricks of the trade
- Report a misprint as soon as you spot it — the free correction window closes at one year.
- Government errors are corrected at no charge; your own typo may still be free within the window, so apply early.
- Send trackable mail and keep a copy of everything.
Mistakes that cause rejections
- Missing the one-year deadline and paying full price unnecessarily.
- Sending photocopies of the name-change document instead of certified originals.
- Forgetting to enclose the passport being corrected.
Build your printable checklist — DS-5504
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What to bring
0 of 6 items readyWatch out: Past one year this form no longer applies and you pay full DS-82 or DS-11 fees.
Watch out: Double-sided printing, half-size paper, and stapled pages are common reasons a packet is returned unprocessed.
Watch out: Forgetting the passport itself is the most common reason these packets come back.
Watch out: Glasses, hats, uniforms, shadows behind the head, filters, and reprints of an old photo are all rejected. Do not staple, paper-clip, or write on the photo.
Watch out: Photocopies are rejected; originals are returned separately.
What it costs
There is no application fee within one year of issuance. Expedited service and faster return shipping still cost extra.
Where it goes
By mail to the DS-5504 address on the form instructions.
Common rejection pitfalls
- Missing the one-year deadline and paying full price unnecessarily.
- Sending photocopies of the name-change document instead of certified originals.
- Forgetting to enclose the passport being corrected.
Other forms
PassportOffices is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. government. Official forms are free and download from the Department of State site.