Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 19, 2005
Important Passport Security Enhancement: No Amendments
Effective September 26, 2005, as an additional security enhancement,
Passport Services will no longer amend valid passports. Instead, customers
requesting name changes, extension of validity for limited passports, or
correction of a printing error will apply for replacement passports.
If the change is within one year after issuance, they will submit a U.S.
Passport Re-Application Form (DS 5504), together with the passport that
needs the change, the documentation required, and new passport pictures.
There will be no charge for routine processing.
If the change is more than one year after issuance, customers will need to
submit an Application for Passport By Mail (DS-82), together with the
passport that needs the change, the documentation required, and new
pictures. The cost includes the $55 application fee and $12 security
surcharge, for a total of $67 for routine processing. Of course, if the
requested data change is due to a printing error by Passport Services, there
will be no charge.
Those only needing to add visa pages to their passports will submit an
Application for Additional Visa Pages (DS-4085). This service is always free
of charge when routine.
If expedited service is requested for any of these changes, except an error
by Passport Services, there will be an additional charge of $60 per
application. The purchase of two-way overnight delivery remains optional but
is recommended if time is short.
All of these forms will be available online at travel.state.gov
<http://travel.state.gov>. The Passport Amendment/Validation Form (DS-19),
previously used to amend passports, will no longer be valid. For more
information on applying for a U.S. passport, forms, and a wealth of other
international travel information, please visit our website at
travel.state.gov <http://travel.state.gov>.
2005/872