quick passport name change question

AustinBride06

What did you send in for your passport name change as far as marriage license?

 I requested a certified copy of the marriage license from the Dallas county clerk via mail to send with the passport application, but they just sent me what looks like a photocopy of the license.  I don't think the passport agency accepts photocopies, do they? If I go in person to a county clerk office, will they give me the right thing? 

Gipper'sGirl

On the instructions for the DS-82 form, it says they will accept a photocopy, but it must include the seal and officiant's signature.  They will also accept a certified copy from the court.  Was the copy the court sent you stamped "certified" or anything?

Here's where you'll find the info on what they will accept (page 2 of the instructions): http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79960.pdf

I need to request a copy myself because on my marriage certificate, the seal is embossed so I'm thinking it won't show up on a photocopy.

AustinBride06

Yeah, the seal is embossed, but it does show up on mine from Dallas.

The reason I ask is that I forgot to send it in with my app originally and realized it the day after (silly, i know) and they just now sent me a letter saying they need it but it says

"A certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate reflecting your legal chage of name. Photocopies and notarized copies of these documents are not acceptable for passport services."

 I'll probably try and call the NPIC and get them to clarify... just was wondering if anyone had had any success sending in the photocopy that Dallas county gives.

Thanks!

CarlaAndJames

As long as it has a seal it will work. They'll send it back.

Eriksgal

I got a what also looked like a photo copy from Tarrant County but I think it had a stamp on it syaing it was an official document or something like that.  I had to pay for my copy.  I would just call and ask.

AustinBride06

Update: called the NPIC.  First they told me certified copy.  So I was like "Ok, fine, so both the application DS-82 AND your travel.state.gov website is wrong...is that correct?"  And I read her what both said... then she was like, "I'm sorry, I was wrong... a photocopy showing the seal and signature is fine."

I paid $8 to Dallas county clerk for what they sent me (looks like a unaltered photocopy). I'm going to send that in and also send them a printout of the website and the application with it highlighted where it says that a photocopy is acceptable.  The website itself doesn't even say certified copy anywhere.

I know it's better to be safe than sorry and I should probably go to the County Clerk office in person one day, but when I asked for a certified copy, the photocopy is what they sent.  

 I'll let you all know how it turns out in 4-6 weeks.  =P

Gipper'sGirl

I hope it works out.  It sounds like it will be fine as long as it is a clear copy with the seal and everything.

I tried making a copy of my license and the embossed seal didn't copy, so I guess I'll be calling the court (not Dallas co.) for a certified copy and see what I get back!

Eriksgal

Back in Oct. I got my passport name change back in like 2 weeks so hopefully yours won't take that long.

my texas love

I just changed my name on my passport for a trip we took to Mexico.  I also couldn't find where they needed a certified copy until I re-read it 50 times and there was one place on one form that requested it.  Tarrant County gave me a copy with a stamp in red ink that said it was a certified copy of the license.  The passport office accepted it and returned my new passport with my certified copy of our marriage license in just a couple of weeks.

Government documents are notorious for seeming contradictory.  Boo!

hmp1

my texas love:

I just changed my name on my passport for a trip we took to Mexico.  I also couldn't find where they needed a certified copy until I re-read it 50 times and there was one place on one form that requested it.  Tarrant County gave me a copy with a stamp in red ink that said it was a certified copy of the license.  The passport office accepted it and returned my new passport with my certified copy of our marriage license in just a couple of weeks.

Government documents are notorious for seeming contradictory.  Boo!

Yep. I just changed mine last month. Did it all myself. Filled out the form, took a picture and printed it at home. Stapled the pictures to the form. Sent my passport and the copy of the marriage license with the red stamp (I got 2 certified copies of my license when we got married to use for changing my drivers license, bank accounts.....).  If your passport was issued less than a year ago, it is free to change your name.  No problems, got my new passport last week with my certified copy of my marriage license.  The old passport came back a few days later.