Gather the legal documents that show your name change. This is either your marriage certificate or the court order that shows that you legally changed your last name. If you were married outside the United States and your marriage licenses is in a language other than English, you must submit the original document and a notary-certified translation.
Determine the proper form to fill out based on your situation. The Department of State has several different forms regarding a name change on your passport. If you received your passport within the past year or if there is a mistake on your passport, use form DS-5504. If the passport is older than a year, you must use form DS-82. For people who cannot legally prove that they've changed their name, form DS-11 is the correct form, and you must submit it along with additional documentation, such as a photocopy of the document and proof of your citizenship.
Purchase new passport photos. If it has been more than 90 days since you received a new passport, you must also submit new passport photos. Because there are strict requirements for passport photos, be sure to purchase them from a company that understands the restrictions.
Send all documents to the U.S. Department of State. Once you have all the necessary documents and your photos, send the application, along with the payment--$75 in 2009--to the address that you find on the application form.
