Name change on US passport--how long?

Hi, I'm an American married to a Brit. Although I've been married for over 2 years I've never gotten around to changing my name on my passport, but it's starting to be a real pain having to use my maiden name for booking.

Has anyone submitted their passport to the London embassy for a name change and do you know how long it usually takes? Also do you know if you can go to the embassy office in person--the website says to use a courier but I remember that you used to be able get it done same-day?

Any info is appreciated, thanks!

They now use a courier service for passport amendments.  Look in the Visa section of the forum for others' experiences getting their passports amended.

Its been awhile but if I remember correctly, when I sent mine off by post I had it back within 6 weeks. Just a note to say that when I booked my airline tickets before the change, I always booked under my married name. I just carrried my marriage cert with me and had no problems. Good luck and may the process be speedy for you!

Tracy

We sent off the application and passport (by recorded delivery) on Monday, they got it on Tuesday, worked on it on Wednesday, sent it off on Thursday and we got it back on Friday.

Simple as pie.

Its been awhile but if I remember correctly, when I sent mine off by post I had it back within 6 weeks. Just a note to say that when I booked my airline tickets before the change, I always booked under my married name. I just carrried my marriage cert with me and had no problems. Good luck and may the process be speedy for you!

Tracy

They're real sticklers now for the name on the passport to match the name on the ticket exactly.   

I did my name ammendment by mail and it took 9 days from sending it out to receiving it.
You might consider getting a whole new passport though, issued with your new name & new photo, just because a surprising number of people don't bother to look for the name ammendment, get confused, and it fuddles things up. Nothing serious, just a hassle. Like when I was at the airport recently the lady said I didn't have a seat reserved and had me panicking for oh - 10 minutes? Until she finally realized she was looking me up under my maiden name DESPITE the fact that it says - clearly - that my name had been changed. Doing it over again, I'd just have gotten a new passport. When I get back to the US I'll do just that.

Ive got to agree with Sara. Ive had the same experiences - to the letter - and when I get back to the US I'll just have a new passport issued. Frankly £40 is worth it just to save the hassle lol

Youd think airline staff would be so used to maiden name amendments it would be second nature to check the back page!

It took me about 9 days too I think. Did mine just a couple months ago.

Did mine too, but in the US.  I just tell everyone who looks at my passport that it was ammended.  they seem fine with it.  though since they check it a lot at the airport I understand why people think it's a pain! 

Well, in our case new passports all around was not an option - way too expensive since the boys' passports don't expire until 2007 (at which point they'll have British passports).  Much easier just to direct the person's attention to the name change - of course, it was completely free when we got the amendments (unless you count the 3 trips to London it took me to get the boys' finally done...) 

but if you get a new passport, what about the visa stamped in your passport?

See here:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=5824.0

thanks!