Passports
Change of Legal Name
This procedure must be done by mail if you live or are traveling through the Paris or Strasbourg Consular Districts.
Effective September 26, 2005, as an additional security enhancement, Passport Services will no longer amend valid passports. Instead, customers requesting name changes will apply for replacement passports.
There are 2 separate types of applications with different specifications.
A. You current passport is less than one year old.
When completing the application form, please follow the specific requirements below:
If the change of name is requested within one year after issuance of the current passport, submit a U.S. Passport Re-Application form as well as the documentation required below.
There will be no charge for routine processing in this case.
- You must submit documentary evidence such a court order, marriage or divorce certificate, or other satisfactory evidence to support a change of name. Only originals or certified copies of these documents will be accepted.
- Your signed and completed DS-5504 application form;
- Your most recent passport;
- Two (2) identical, recent, color photographs taken full face, with a white background, measuring 5 cm by 5 cm (2 in x 2 in). All French photo booth photographs are not acceptable. Please ask the photographer for photos for a U.S. passport, otherwise you may be given the wrong format. See our list of photographers
- All passports will be returned by mail using the Chronopost envelope tracking system.
When submitting your application with your current U.S. passport, please include a self-addressed Chronopost envelope available at all French post offices (one Chronopost envelope may contain several passports – maximum 8).
The Chronopost envelope tracking system guarantees a faster and more secure service for the return of your passport(s).
Once we have received the complete passport application, it takes approximately two weeks for you to receive your new passport.
Please send your completed signed application form and current passport to the following address:
U.S. Embassy
Consular Section
American Citizen Services
Passport Unit
4, avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cedex 08
If you live outside of the Paris Consular District you may apply for this service at the U.S. Consulate General in Marseille. Please contact them directly for further information.
B. Your current passport is more than one year old.
If the change of name is requested more than one year after issuance of the current passport, submit an Application for Passport By Mail and the required documents below.
You will be required to pay the regular passport fee in this case.
- You must submit documentary evidence such a court order, marriage or divorce certificate, or other satisfactory evidence to support a change of name. Only originals or certified copies of these documents will be accepted.
- Your signed and completed DS-82 application form;
- Your most recent passport;
- Two (2) identical, recent, color photographs taken full face, with a white background, measuring 5 cm by 5 cm (2 in x 2 in). All French photo booth photographs are not acceptable. Please ask the photographer for photos for a U.S. passport, otherwise you may be given the wrong format. See our list of photographers
- Your signed and completed payment authorization form or mandat cash. The fee for an adult who is currently in possession of a 10-year passport is $75.
Payment methods - Fees may be paid by using the credit card authorization form, see instruction leaflet, and payment by mail authorization form.
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You may also purchase a money order called a mandat-cash from the French Post Office which must be made out to the American Embassy and for the exact amount. Please consult the current consular exchange rate for passport renewals by mail. - All passports will be returned by mail using the Chronopost envelope tracking system.
When submitting your application with your current U.S. passport, please include a self-addressed Chronopost envelope available at all French post offices (one Chronopost envelope may contain several passports – maximum 8).
The Chronopost envelope tracking system guarantees a faster and more secure service for the return of your passport(s).
Once we have received the complete passport application, it takes approximately two weeks for you to receive your new passport.
Please send your completed signed application form, photos, payment, Chronopost envelope and current passport to the following address:
U.S. Embassy
Consular Section
American Citizen Services
Passport Unit
4, avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cedex 08
If you live outside of the Paris Consular District you may apply for this service at the U.S. Consulate General in Marseille. Please contact them directly for further information.
Security at the Embassy
For security reasons, do not bring luggage including large backpacks, laptop computers, or large cameras. Security guards will hold small tourist cameras and cell phones until your departure, but there is no storage available for luggage, large backpacks, laptop computers, or large cameras; please do not bring them to the Embassy.