Form DS-5504: Passport Name Change, Data Correction & Limited Replacement (2026)

The free U.S. passport correction form for name changes, State Department printing errors, and limited passport replacement — within 1 year of issuance.

Get Help Filing →Call (800) 860-8610

Free Within 1 Year — Trusted Since 1992

$0 Government Fee

1 Year Eligibility Window

Mail-In No Appointment

3-Day Expedite Available

📋 Quick Navigation

What is DS-5504?Eligibility Use Cases How to Fill Out Requirements DS-5504 vs DS-82 FAQs Expedite Service

What is Form DS-5504?

Form DS-5504, officially titled “Application for a U.S. Passport — Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement,” is the free correction form used by the State Department to fix issues with recently-issued passports.

The form serves three specific purposes: legal name changes (marriage, divorce, court order), data corrections (printing errors made by the State Department), and limited passport book replacement (upgrading a passport that was issued for less than the standard 10-year validity period).

The defining feature of DS-5504 is its 1-year eligibility window. If your most recent passport was issued less than 12 months ago, you can use DS-5504 to make corrections at no cost. After 12 months, you must use Form DS-82 (renewal) and pay the standard $130 application fee instead.

Key Benefits of DS-5504

Completely free — No government fee, no execution fee, no application fee within the 1-year window
Mail-in process — No appointment required, no in-person appearance
Faster than DS-82 — Many DS-5504 applications process slightly faster, especially State Department printing error corrections
Preserves expiration date — Your new passport keeps the same expiration date as your old one
Expediting available — Add $60 for 2-3 week processing or use a private expediter for 3-day service

DS-5504 Eligibility Requirements

⚠️ DS-5504 has strict eligibility rules. If you do not meet ALL of these criteria, you must use Form DS-82 and pay the $130 renewal fee instead.

You Qualify for DS-5504 If:

Your passport was issued within the last 12 months — Calculated from the issue date printed inside your passport, not when you received it
You need a name change with documentation — Marriage certificate, divorce decree showing name change, or court order
The State Department made a printing error on your passport — Misspelled name, wrong date of birth, incorrect place of birth
Your passport was issued with limited validity — Less than the full 10-year period for adults or 5-year period for children
You can submit your current passport — It must be in your possession and undamaged

✓ Quick Eligibility Test

Answer these three questions:

Was my passport issued less than 12 months ago?
Do I have my current passport in hand?
Do I have documentation for any name change (if applicable)?

If YES to all three → DS-5504 (free). If NO to any → use Form DS-82.

When to Use DS-5504

Use Case 1: Name Change After Marriage

You got married within the past year and want your passport in your married name. Submit DS-5504 with a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your current passport, and a new passport photo in your married name.

Use Case 2: Name Change After Divorce

You finalized a divorce within the past year and your decree includes a court-ordered name change (returning to maiden name or adopting a new legal name). Submit DS-5504 with a certified copy of the divorce decree showing the name change.

Use Case 3: Legal Name Change via Court Order

You legally changed your name via court petition within the past year. Submit DS-5504 with a certified copy of the court order. This use case applies regardless of marital status.

Use Case 4: State Department Printing Error

Your recently-issued passport has an error caused by the State Department — misspelled name, wrong birthdate, transposed first/last names, incorrect place of birth. Submit DS-5504 with a cover letter explaining the error and supporting documentation (birth certificate, prior passport).

Use Case 5: Limited Passport Replacement

Your most recent passport was issued for less than the standard validity period (under 10 years for adults, under 5 years for children). DS-5504 lets you upgrade to a full-validity passport without paying the renewal fee.

How to Fill Out Form DS-5504 (Step-by-Step)

The DS-5504 form must be completed online (Adobe Reader) or printed and filled out by hand in BLACK INK only. Do NOT sign the form until you are in front of an authorized person.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Download the form. Get the latest version of DS-5504 from eforms.state.gov.

Step 2: Complete personal information. Fill in your full legal name (current), date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number, sex, and current mailing address. If you are using DS-5504 for a name change, enter your NEW name in Field 1.

Step 3: Enter your previous passport information. Provide your current passport number (9 digits), issue date, and the name printed on the passport. This is the passport you will be replacing.

Step 4: Indicate the reason for filing. Check the appropriate box: name change, data correction, or limited passport replacement. Be specific in any explanation field provided.

Step 5: Provide emergency contact information. Name, address, phone number, and email of someone who is NOT traveling with you.

Step 6: DO NOT sign. Leave the signature line blank. You must sign in front of an authorized person such as a notary public, passport acceptance agent, or expediting company employee.

⚠️ Common DS-5504 Mistakes

Signing the form before reaching an authorized witness
Using blue ink instead of black
Submitting photocopied or expired name change documents
Forgetting to include the current passport with the application
Missing the 1-year eligibility window (use DS-82 instead)
Using outdated form versions (always download fresh from State.gov)

DS-5504 Application Requirements

Complete Submission Checklist

Completed DS-5504 form — All fields filled in black ink, signed in front of authorized person
Current passport — Your most recent U.S. passport (will be cancelled and returned with new one)
One passport photo — 2x2 inches, color, taken within last 6 months, white background
Name change documentation (if applicable) — Original or certified copy of marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
Cover letter (for printing errors) — Brief explanation of the State Department error and the correct information
Supporting evidence (for printing errors) — Birth certificate, prior passport, or other proof of correct information
No payment required — DS-5504 is free within the 1-year window. Do not include a check.

Optional Add-Ons (with fees)

Expedited service ($60): Reduces processing to 2-3 weeks. Add a separate $60 check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State.
Passport card ($30 adult / $15 child): Add a passport card to your DS-5504 submission. Pay only the card fee.
1-2 day return delivery ($21.36): Faster shipping of your new passport.

DS-5504 vs DS-82: Which Should You Use?

Criterion	DS-5504 (Correction)	DS-82 (Renewal)
Cost (book)	$0	$130
Eligibility window	Within 1 year of issuance	Within 15 years of issuance
Method	Mail-in	Mail-in
Use cases	Name change, error correction, limited replacement	Standard 10-year renewal
Issues new expiration?	No (keeps current expiration)	Yes (10-year fresh)
Photo required?	Yes	Yes
Submit current passport?	Yes (returned with new one)	Yes (returned with new one)
Processing time (routine)	6-8 weeks	6-8 weeks
Processing time (expedited)	2-3 weeks (+$60)	2-3 weeks (+$60)

🎯 Quick Decision

Passport less than 1 year old + need correction or name change? Use DS-5504. It is free and your expiration date stays the same.

Passport more than 1 year old? Use DS-82. Costs $130 but gives you a fresh 10-year validity period.

Need a brand new first-time passport? Use DS-11. Requires in-person application.

Frequently Asked Questions About DS-5504

Is Form DS-5504 really free?

Yes. Form DS-5504 is completely free to submit if your most recent passport was issued less than 1 year ago. There is no government fee, no execution fee, and no application fee. The State Department absorbs the cost of correcting their printing errors and accommodating recent name changes. You only pay for postage and (optionally) a new passport photo. After the 1-year window closes, you must use Form DS-82 instead and pay the $130 renewal fee.

When should I use DS-5504 vs DS-82?

Use DS-5504 if your passport was issued within the last 12 months AND you need to change your name (marriage, divorce, court order), correct a State Department printing error, or replace a passport that was issued with limited validity (less than 10 years for adults, 5 years for children). Use DS-82 if your passport is more than 1 year old, you need a routine 10-year renewal, or your passport is approaching expiration. The 1-year cutoff is calculated from the issue date printed in your passport, not when you received it.

How long does DS-5504 processing take?

Routine DS-5504 processing takes 6-8 weeks from when the State Department receives your application. Expedited service (add $60 — yes, expediting still costs money even though the form itself is free) takes 2-3 weeks. With professional expediting like PassportsAndVisas.com, you can have your corrected passport in as little as 3 business days. Add 1-2 weeks of mailing time on top of these processing windows.

What documents do I need to submit with DS-5504?

You need: (1) the completed DS-5504 form signed in black ink, (2) your current passport (which will be cancelled and returned with your new one), (3) one new passport photo taken within the last 6 months, and (4) original or certified documentation of the name change if applicable — marriage certificate, divorce decree showing name change, or court order for legal name change. For data corrections, no additional documentation is needed beyond the form itself.

Can I use DS-5504 if I just want a new photo?

No. DS-5504 is not for cosmetic updates or vanity photo changes. It is strictly for name changes, State Department printing errors (misspellings, wrong dates), or limited passport replacement (passports issued for less than the full 10-year validity period). If you simply want a new photo because you do not like your current one or your appearance has changed, you must use Form DS-82 and pay the $130 renewal fee.

Where do I mail my DS-5504 application?

For routine processing, mail to: National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155. For expedited service, mail to: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 12825, Philadelphia, PA 19108-2825. Use a large envelope with sufficient postage and USPS Certified Mail with tracking. Do not use the same envelope for multiple family members — each person needs a separate envelope and application.

What counts as a "limited validity" passport?

A limited validity passport is one issued for less than the standard 10-year period (adults) or 5-year period (children). The State Department issues these in special circumstances such as emergency travel, certain identity verification cases, or when your previous passport was reported lost/stolen multiple times. If you received a limited passport and need full validity, DS-5504 is the correct form to upgrade to a standard passport — provided you submit it within 1 year of the limited passport being issued.

Can I use DS-5504 for a name change after divorce?

Yes. Whether you are returning to a maiden name after divorce or adopting a new legal name, DS-5504 covers it as long as your current passport was issued less than 1 year ago. Submit a certified copy of your divorce decree (must show the court-ordered name change explicitly) along with the form, your current passport, and a new passport photo. If your divorce decree does not specifically address the name change, you may need a separate court order for the name change.

What if my passport has a State Department printing error?

If the State Department made a printing error on your passport — misspelled name, wrong date of birth, incorrect place of birth, swapped first and last names — DS-5504 is the correct form to fix it for free. Include a clear explanation of the error in a cover letter, your current passport with the error, and any supporting documentation that proves the correct information (birth certificate, prior passport, etc.). The State Department typically prioritizes their own printing errors and processes corrections faster than name changes.

Can I include a passport card application with my DS-5504?

Yes. If you currently have a passport book and want to add a passport card with the same updated information, you can request both on a single DS-5504. The passport card is $30 (adult) or $15 (child) — these fees still apply even though the DS-5504 itself is free. The card will be issued in your corrected name with the same expiration date as your existing passport book. You must submit one DS-5504 form and pay only the card fee.

Need Your Corrected Passport in 3 Days?

Even though DS-5504 is free, processing can take 6-8 weeks. Our expediting service gets your corrected passport in as little as 3 business days.

Start Expedited Service →

Professional DS-5504 Expediting

Why Use a Professional Expediter for DS-5504?

Faster than government expedited service — 3 business days vs 2-3 weeks
Document review — We catch eligibility issues, missing documentation, and form errors before submission
Hand-delivered to passport agencies — Skip the mailing time entirely
FedEx return shipping — Tracked, insured delivery to your door
Dedicated specialist support — Available 7 days a week for questions and updates
Money-back guarantee — If we miss your deadline, we refund our service fees

Start Your Expedited DS-5504 →