Is changing name on DM so easy?
 

Was surprised that I could change my wife's name online, without any documentation. There was a note that said they would get back to me if they had issues. Do they really get back?

Yes, its that easy. They never responded back to me and changed my last name.

I was surprised, since even to change my name on all the hotel reward programs I had to provide marriage license.

If I had to guess, perhaps they only contact you if it seems suspicious....such as changing first name and birthdate....which could mean you are transfering account to family member.

As a side note, I wish I would of kept my maiden name for DM since my passport was my maiden name. I had to get an entire new passport as if it was my first.

What do you mean by transferring to a family member with the same birthdate ?

I'm not sure that's correct. Here's what I found on the DoS website for the standard mail renewal form (DS-82):

Wouldn't a marriage license constitute legal documentation of a name change? I know it's acceptable for changing your last name on your driver's license (at least in New York State).

If the passport was less than 12 months old, you can use form DS-5504. It's an even simpler process and you don't have to pay the passport fee again.

??

She said "changing first name and birthdate" - I change Rich, born in 1985 to Steve born in 1980. i.e., transfer my account to a family member, my brother.

I would hope US has some way to prevent/detect such changes, especially if you can also change last name, address, etc. That would make fraud rather easy.

Yes, I had to do the DS82....What I meant was I had to get new picture, pay renewal fee, and get a new booklet. My orginal passport was only 2 years old. Just saying if I had to do again, I would have waited a bit longer.

Gotcha, I misunderstood - thought they made you apply as if it was original (in person at the post office, bring your birth certificate, etc....)