Silly ?? filling out name change form (passport)

I'm filling out the DS-19 form to change my name on my passport to my married name, and I'm doing it all by post.

At the bottom of the form I have to sign it.
I signed it with my married name unconsciously... then wondered if that was right... though I'm *assuming* it is since they'll want my new signature anyway? Maybe? And my maiden name signature is in the pasport they are getting anyway?  

Also - is this the address I mail it to? It's the only address I can find for the passport unit on the Embassy's website:

Passport Unit
U.S. Embassy
55/56 Upper Brook Street
LONDON, W1A 2LQ.

I started filling mine out, and stopped because of the same questions. Hopefully someone 'in the know' will know what to advise us

I do have some info,, I had it saved in a folder on my comp.

Change of Name by Marriage

Frequently Asked Questions
Tips for completing the DS-19

If your name has changed through marriage or divorce, you may either amend your current passport to reflect your new name, or you may apply for a new passport.

I wish to amend my passport: If you wish to amend your passport to reflect your new name, it will be necessary for you to present the following documentation:

Your current U.S. passport;


Your original marriage certificate or a copy of the marriage certificate which has been certified by the office of the British/U.S. Registrar. Your original marriage certificate will be returned to you together with the amended passport; or the original or certified copy of the divorce decree or court order which restores a maiden or previous name;


A completed form DS-19; and


Special Delivery, self-addressed envelope. Inquiries regarding Special Delivery mail should be directed to your local Post Office. The Embassy does not keep records of special delivery numbers. We strongly advise that you make a note of your special delivery number before submitting your application so that you may track the return of your passport with the Royal Mail.

Fees: There is no fee for this service.

Photographs: Photographs are not required.

Most U.S. citizens residing in the United Kingdom are eligible to amend their passport by mail. Read more...

I wish to apply for a new passport: Please follow this link if you wish to renew your passport to reflect your new name.

Important Notice: Your current passport will be canceled and returned to you. The next time you leave the United Kingdom, carry both the new and the expired passports. Upon reentry, present both documents to the UK Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry and request that s/he transfer your U.K. entry conditions or residency status to the new passport.

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Passport Extension and Amendment by Mail

Frequently Asked Questions


You may mail the passport, form DS-19 and supporting documents, where applicable, in a special delivery envelope to:

Passport-by-Mail Service
American Citizen Services
US Embassy
55/56 Upper Brook Street
LONDON, W1A 2LQ

Note: You are required to enclose with your application a stamped, self-addressed special delivery envelope for the return of your passport. Inquiries regarding Special Delivery mail should be directed to your local Post Office.

The Embassy does not keep records of special delivery numbers. We strongly advise that you make a note of your special delivery number before submitting your application so that you may track the return of your passport with the Royal Mail.

Important Notice Beginning April 1, 2003, any incomplete passport application will be returned in its entirety at the applicant's expense for correction and resubmission. Therefore please read and follow the instructions on this website carefully. (Note: Follow the instructions on this website rather than the instructions on the application form.

The most common error is:

Failure to complete all mandatory information, including Social Security Number, height, etc.
How long will my application take to process? Following receipt at this office, your application will be processed and mailed back to you usually within 15 working days.

Please note: We are unable to respond to individual inquiries about the status of a passport application before 10 calendar days have passed.

May I apply to amend the passport or apply for an extension in person? There is no advantage to applying for the amendment in person. Space in the waiting room is restricted and offers limited facilities, especially for families. However, if you wish to bring your completed application to this office during our opening hours, you may do so. No appointment is necessary. Read more....

Application by a third party: Applicants who are applying to have extra pages added to their passport, or are applying to amend their passport due to a change of name through marriage, may send a third party to the Embassy on their behalf. Your representative will require a letter of authorization giving his/her name (the Embassy will not accept letters which merely name a courier service) and authorize him/her to submit the application on your behalf. Your representative will also be required to present an up-to-date form of identification with a photograph, such as a valid passport. Note: If your representative is a family member, it will still be necessary for you to provide that person with a letter of authorization.

this is from the US embassy website

I'm pretty sure I signed with my new name...thinking like you that they would want a new sample.  

And the address I used was the one on the website.  And I sent it recorded delivery, with a self addressed recorded delivery envelope so it would be rushed back to me.  I think I had it all back within a week or so.

Hope that helps a bit.  Gosh it seems like so long ago now that I did all of that!  Hopefully it's still the right info.  

Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and sign my married name then. Will update when I get it back in the mail, I'm mailing it tomorrow.

I remember having a similar dilemma while at the embassy getting my passport in my married name. (The royal mail had temporarily "lost" my passport en route to croydon for my ILR so I figured I'd just get my replacement passport in my married name.)

I signed my married name instinctively and questioned it immediately afterwards. It didn't cause any problems when I handed the forms in and they gave me my new passport without any hassles about the signature. (Only to come home and have my original passport arrive with my ILR 2 days later from croydon.  )

I would think they'd want your married name signed as that's what you're asking for.

Can't help with the addy though, sorry.  :-/

I just did this....here in the USA and I signed my married name.  They then sent me back my passport and on the last page was a note simply saying...this passport has been ammended to reflect the name change to...my married name.   That's all.

I just sent my passport and change of name form off a week ago this saturday. I signed my married name and sent it to this address:

Passport-by-Mail Service
American Citizen Services
US Embassy
55/56 Upper Brook Street
London W1A 2LQ

It should take a maximum of 15 days.

I sent it by special delivery and included an SASE with special delivery form and full postage. I havent checked to see if it arrived - guess I should!

Will let you know what happened when I get my passport back.

Sarah

I mailed mine a week ago yesterday and did exactly as you did Sarah - - will update as well!

Hey maybe our passports will meet up and have lunch or something lol

I have a question,, when you have your passport amended to reflect your new married name,, it is in the back of the passport, right?  They dont' change the page that has your picture?  It still shows your previous name, right?  When you book a flight, it has to be in the name that is on your passport,, so if you have a booking that still has your previous name, will the airline refuse to let you use it, if it's not in your new amended name?  Confusing? yes,, I have a booking for April, and am concerned about changing my name, because of this. ARGH

I've flown twice since amending my passport.  Both bookings made in my married name.  You just have to gently guide the person checking your ticket/passport to the page with the amendment, because sometimes they just don't seem to see the red "See Page 23" stamp!

I had flights booked in my maiden name and waited until after them to change my name to my married, just out of paranoia... once both names are in there though, you should be fine methinks.

Ahhh,, ok,, I will stop worrying then.  I don't think I am happy unless I have something to worry about  

I sent off my form on Thursday Feb 19th, and got it back Saturday Feb 28th. Nice and speedy, and along with my name ammendment on page 23.

Sent mine off Sat 21st 2004, got it back amended on Thurs Mar 04 2004.

Not that it's really vital information but if any of you who havent done this yet were wondering, it says:

On page 23 " - This passport was amended 01Mar2004 to change the bearer's name to read FirstName MiddleName LastName" and embossed with a London Embassy stamp and on the signature page it says "See Page 23" in red.

I think once I get back to the states I'll have my passport reissued so I dont have to deal with people bugging me about how my tickets arent the same name as my passport. And besides, I look a lot younger in my passport picture.

So no worries to the gals doing this in the coming days. It was a breeze.

Now on to social security.
Sarah