U.S. PASSPORT

STEP 1

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Verify your eligibility to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82

U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (Form DS-82) should be used if you are only updating your name and are in possession of a prior U.S. passport.

To be eligible, your most recent U.S. passport must:

• Be submitted with your application

• Be undamaged aside from normal “wear and tear”

• Have been issued when you were age 16 or older

• Have been issued within the last 15 years

• Have been issued in your previous legal name and you have an original or certified copy of your name change court order

If you are ineligible to renew your passport for any reason listed above:

• You may still apply for a name change with Form DS-11. This process is outlined in greater detail below.

Note: If your current passport is less than one year old:

• You can apply by mail using Form DS-5504. In this scenario, you will not have to pay any fees unless you request expedited service.

STEP 3

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Download and complete Form DS-82

Download the U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (Form DS-82) here or from the website of the U.S. Department of State.

• Read the instructions on Pages 1-4.

• Fill out the information on Pages 5-6. Use a black pen.

  • Select the type of passport document you are requesting. Note that the typical passport used for international travel is the “U.S. Passport Book.” For most people, the “Regular Book (Standard)” is sufficient, unless you travel abroad frequently.

  • Line 1: Fill in your current legal name (which you updated through your local probate court).

  • Lines 3: Fill in the Sex that is currently on record with the Social Security Administration.

  • Line 9: List your former legal name as well as any other names you have legally gone by.

  • Line 10: Fill in the information from your current U.S. passport.

  • Affix the color photograph.

  • Line 11: Fill in information from your name change.

  • Fill in all information requested on Page 2.

STEP 1

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Gather supporting documents

U.S. Passport Application (Form DS-11) should be used by anyone who is seeking to change their sex marker and/or anyone who is not eligible to update their passport by mail using Form DS-82.

You will need to submit the following documents along with your application:

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate – you will need an original or certified copy and photocopy that will not be returned to you

• Valid photo ID and photocopy of that ID, such as a driver’s license or government employee ID

  • The photo ID must resemble your current appearance.

• A color photo eligible for passport use. Tips from the U.S. Department of State are available here.

• Payment: $110 by personal check or money order, made out to “U.S. Department of State”.

If you are changing your name, you must also submit:

• an original or certified copy of a name change document such as your court order.

If you are changing your sex marker, you must also submit:

• a letter from your doctor the serves as “medical certification that indicates you have had appropriate clinical treatment for transition to male or female, or are in the process of transition to male or female.

  • Please note: “X” gender markers are not available for U.S. passports

• This letter must:

  • be on letterhead from your physician’s office

  • include your physician’s full name, address, and telephone number

  • include your physician’s medical license or certificate number, and the issuing state or jurisdiction

  • include language stating that they have treat you, or have reviewed and evaluated your medical history

  • include language stating that you have had “appropriate clinical treatment for transition to male or female, or are in the process of transition to male or female”

  • include “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.”

• A template letter can be found here. This is simply a template you can provide to your physician for guidance. Many physicians who serve trans patients will likely be familiar with this template and this type of letter.

STEP 3

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Submit your application and supporting documents to a passport acceptance facility

The completed Form DS-11, proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and photocopy, a valid photo ID and photocopy of that ID, a color photo, and payment must be sent to a passport acceptance facility.

• After completing the form and collecting all your supporting documents, mail your application to a passport acceptance facility, which can be located here.

  • Examples of passport acceptance facilities include authorized post offices, courthouses, public libraries, and other government offices.

• Once your application has been submitted, you can track your application status online here.