If you have changed your name, you may apply to have this change reflected in your U.S. passport. Please note that U.S. passports are no longer amended to change items appearing on the data page; you will therefore need to apply for a new U.S. passport in your new name. When completing the relevant application form, you should complete the form in the name you wish to appear in your passport.
Please select the option which applies to you:
Change of Name by Marriage or Court Order
If you have changed your name, you may apply to have this change reflected in your U.S. passport. Please note that U.S. passports are no longer amended to change Items appearing on the data page; you will therefore need to apply for a new U.S. passport in your new name. Please note that if you have changed your legal name abroad, it is also considered to be changed in the United States. The Department of State generally will recognize only one legal name, and must issue passports/documents that reflect the most accurate legal name. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at TelAvivacs@state.gov.
- Your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months.
- Your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago: Adult renewal by mail OR Adult renewal in person, OR Minor renewal.
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
Changes of Name through the Ministry of the Interior
If you have changed your name through the Ministry of the Interior, you may have a U.S. passport issued in that name. Please note that if you have changed your legal name abroad, it is also considered to be changed in the United States.
You must submit the original name change document with your passport application (or your Israeli passport if it has an amendment name change sticker inside). The name change document must state both the old and new names.
Bring your original “Record of Name Change” (Teuda al Maida Shinui Shem) to your appointment (or your Israeli passport with the amendment name change sticker inside) along with all the other required documents mentioned in the renewal instructions that apply to you:
- Your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months.
- Your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago: Adult renewal by mail OR Adult renewal in person, OR Minor renewal.
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
Change of Name Through Usage
You may obtain a U.S. passport in a new name provided you have been known exclusively by that name for at least five years. You must submit at least three public documents that show exclusive usage of the name for at least five years including one government issued ID with photograph. Acceptable documents include but are not limited to:
- Driver’s License
- Non-Driver State Issued ID
- Employment Records
- Tax Records
- School Records
- Census Records
- Hospital Birth Record
- Baptismal Certificate
- Medical Card/Records
- Foreign Passport
- Military Records
You must submit their application in person at the Embassy. See here for instructions.
“Also Known As” Names
If you do not meet the criteria for a name change mentioned in other categories and have assumed a name for professional or other bona fide reason, the assumed name may be included in the passport as a “known as” name together with the full legal name.
You must:
- request inclusion of a “known as” name on the application;
- sign the application form in both names;
- provide government issued photo ID in both names;
- provide two or more public documents in the full legal and “known as” names. Acceptable documents include but are not limited to:
- school records, tax records, military records, medical records, driver’s license, federal/state/local government ID cards, property deeds, insurance records, employment records, utility bills etc; and
- bring two witnesses who can attest that they have known you by both names. The two witnesses must bring valid government issued photo id with them. You may choose to bring a third public document in lieu of a witness.
You are required to submit their application in person and should follow the instructions on this page.
Changes of Name by Adoption
A child who has been legally adopted and has a court order showing a change of name, may have a U.S. passport issued in that name, providing the original court order shows both the old and new names. If you meet these requirements and you are over 16, please follow the instructions here. If the applicant is under 16, click here.
Divorced/Widowed Applicants Reverting to Birth or Formal Legal Name
If your birth name is restored after a divorce or the death of your spouse you may have your passport issued with that surname provided you submit:
- the original divorce decree explicitly declaring the resumption of a former name; or
- death certificate and identification in a former or birth name.
If the divorce decree does not explicitly declare the resumption of a former name, in addition to the original divorce decree, you must provide:
- documentation showing the origin of the former name (such as birth certificate); and
- current valid photo identification issued in a former name; or
- properly executed change of name deed.
Bring your original divorce decree or the death certificate to your appointment along with all the other required documents mentioned in the renewal instructions that apply to you:
- Your U.S. passport was issued within the last twelve months.
- Your U.S. passport was issued more than twelve months ago: Adult renewal by mail OR Adult renewal in person, OR Minor renewal.
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
