There are stages in the lives of individuals when a change in identity is necessary. This is when they get married or have a divorce. Because of existing laws and traditions practiced for hundreds of years, these individuals must change their names. It is important that their personal documents also be changed. For passports, there is a process for U.S. passport name change.

One of the most important personal documents people own is a passport. These are government issued papers that serves as proofs of identity and citizenship. With passports, people can travel to foreign lands with the unspoken request from the parent country that they be treated with respect as visitors. To be as accurate as possible, identities should be updated as soon as individuals have their names changed, especially for an expedited stolen US online passport.

However there are three scenarios that determine the steps US citizens have to do in order to proceed in updating their identity. The first two scenarios assume that one is able to show proof that he was able to change his name legally. The third scenario is used when legal proof cannot be shown.

Applicants who can present legal documents and have passports less than a year old can apply for update of identity by filling up Form DS-5504. This document must be mailed together with the old passports, documented proofs such as marriage certificates, and recent photographs. This is a free service unless an expedited process is desired.

Applicants with legal documents for change in identity but have passports more than a year old must apply for a renewal of the document. They must accomplish Form DS-82 and mail these documents together with their passports, payment for the processing, photos, and papers that show why they are allowed to change their names. These could be court orders or marriage certificates.

The envelopes must be addressed to the National Passport Processing Center. There is an expedited process available for updating names at an added cost. Those wanting to avail of this process must mark the outside of their envelopes with the label "Expedite".

Applicants who cannot show legally accepted proof have to apply for new passports. But they have to collect documents that show that they have been using another identity for the past five years. These documents could be billing forms, school forms, and tax forms. These applicants must then get a certified copy of their birth certificates. They have to appear personally and be interviewed in a passport acceptance center. Then they will pay for the processing fee.

Applicants for name changes are allowed to inquire about the status of the application five to seven days after filing. The web service will ask for their surnames, dates of birth, and the last four parts of their Social Security Numbers.

You will get your updated expedited stolen expedited passport in four to six weeks with a regular application. Those who opted for expedited applications will get the documents in at least three weeks. Getting a passport name change is a simple transaction that updates your documents so that it reflects who you really are.