Name Change in Passport

How to change name in passport - Passport Name change after marriage:

A regular passport that has blue cover and is issued to citizens of India is valid for a period of ten years. But in those ten years, there might arise a situation where you will be required to change the details in the passport. Most of the people might require change of name in passport when compared to other changes. People who require the name change in passport mostly are of age 20-35. Wondering why? Once you get married, passport name change is one of the things to do by many people especially who are aspiring to travel abroad with the spouse after marriage. The name in the passport including surname is very important when it comes to passport. There can be many situations when you want a passport name change. Some of the situations are;





1. If you get married and would like to change your surname to your spouse’s name

For example, you should have your spouse name added in your passport if you want to take her in dependent visa. Your wife can also change the surname in the passport.

2. If you get divorced and would like to change your surname back to your maiden name

For example, you might have changed your surname in the passport when you got married. But now you got divorced from the person who is in your surname and want to get back to your maiden name, then you have to change the surname in passport.


3. If you are separated from your spouse and need to change your surname.

For example, if you have separated from your spouse permanently and do not want to retain his/her name in your passport.



4. If you have re-married and would like to change your surname to your current spouse. 

For example, if you have changed the surname in the passport after marriage. Then the marriage fails and you get separated. Yo get to remarry another person and you want to change the surname in passport after marriage.



5. If you want to take a minor passport for your baby or kid.

Some people ignore name change in passport till they get a need to take a minor passport. If you are planning to take your wife and kid(s) to abroad, be ready to plan to add the spouse name first.



6. If you have changed your maiden to a new name which you would be called henceforth.

There might be a situation when you decide to change to a new name.



7. If the name spelling has to be changed.

Yes, you might think about changing the name spelling for various reasons. One of the main reasons is numerology nowadays.

8. If you have given your surname in the given name itself.

If you have done this mistake, you have to change the name.

What exactly need to be done for Name change in passport?

As of now, it requires a passport reissue. To know the full procedure, check this page - Passport Reissue. It has all the required details including step by step guide.

Why name change in passport should be planned well ahead of your travel?

Let me tell you a real life example. One person changed his name after marriage due to religious factor. He changed his names in few of the government records while he retained his old name in employment record and passport. When he was given an opportunity to travel abroad, he wanted to take his wife and kids. He was asked to travel within a month. The problem began that time. Marriage certificate was in the new name. He had to sync all the names as he had to add spouse name in passport and take minor passports for kids as well. He decided to retain his old name in all records. Even after struggling so much, he was not able to add spouse name and take minor passport for kids in the short period. So, he had to travel alone. His wife took care of the remaining process and he had to come back to India for passport related work for his wife and kids on his own expenses. Once done, his wife and kids waited to get the passport and visa and traveled separately with a help of another relative as she could not travel with kids alone. The expense of the relative was taken care by them.

So, when you think that you will be traveling sooner, do not wait till the last minute. Start planning ahead. Even if you do not travel, you are not going to lose more money. But in case if you travel, you might need to spend more money in worst case.

Even though you have option of Tatkal passport, do not delay it unnecessarily to avoid last minute problems.

Documents required for name change in passport:

Given below are the procedures and documents that an individual requires in order to change their name in the passport.


Before looking at the documents required for change of surname in passport, you should note that the list of the documents might not be complete or error-free. You should always check the Government of India Passport online official portal for latest information on documents required for name change to avoid any error. The below list was written as on the date this post was published. You can use this just as a reference and not as an official list. We do not claim this list as error free.


Documents that are accepted as proof of address (common for all types of re-issue):

1. Water bill / Electricity bill
2. Telephone bill (landline or post paid mobile)
3. Income tax assessment order
4. Election commission photo ID card
5. Proof of gas connection
6. Certificate from employer of reputed companies on letter head
7. Spouse’s passport copy (provided the applicants present address matches the address mentioned in the spouses passport)
8. Aadhaar card
9. Registered rent agreement
10. Photo passbook of running bank account
The first step in this process is, in the application form select “Re-issue of passport” and the supporting documents required for submission are as follows for each type of service.
Change of name after marriage / Addition of spouse name
a) Old passport in original with a self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages and any other supporting pages as issued by the passport issuing authority such as ECR/Non-ECR page, observation page or validity page.
b) An attested copy of marriage certificate issued by Registrar of Marriage (OR)
c) A joint affidavit from husband and wife along with a joint photograph
d) Self attested photocopy of spouses passport
e) Proof of present address.

Documents required for Change of name after Divorce / Change of surname in passport:

a) Original old passport  with self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages and any other supporting pages

b) Proof of present address (list of documents for address proof remains same as above)

c) Court certified copy of divorce decree (OR) Self attested copy of divorce certificate

e) Deed poll / sworn affidavit as per Annexure E given in the passport instruction booklet.

Documents required for Change of name due to separation from spouse / Change of surname in passport:

a. Original old passport  with self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages and any other supporting pages

b. Proof of present address (list of documents for address proof remains same as above)

c. Specimen affidavit for Re-issue of passport due to marital discord or separation

Documents required for Change of name due to re-marriage / Change of surname in passport:

a. Original old passport  with self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages and any other supporting pages

b. Proof of present address (list of documents for address proof remains same as above)

c. Attested copy of marriage certificate issued by registrar of marriage (OR)

d. Joint affidavit from husband and wife along with joint photograph (OR)

e. Affidavit specimen for Re-issue of passport due to marital discord or separation

f. Death certificate of first marriage spouse (OR)

g. Self attested copy of divorce certificate

h. Self attested photocopy of spouses passport

Documents required for Change of Maiden name (full name change) of applicant in passport:

If a Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employee wants to make a major change in name, then he/she has to submit the following additional documents:

a) Gazette Notification changing name in applicant's department

b) Fresh ID Certificate in changed name

3) Deed poll/sworn affidavit as per Annexure "E"

Advertisement / declaration in a reading newspaper is not required.

Else

a)  Original old passport  with self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages and any other supporting pages

b) Deed poll / sworn affidavit as per annexure E

c) Original paper clipping of two leading daily newspapers ( one newspaper should be of the area of the applicants permanent address and other at the current address or nearby area)

What if name is printed wrong in the Passport?

You have to return the passport if you find any error or mistake in the passport booklet. Assistant Passport office will decide whether any fees have to be paid by analysing the case. Dont give any misrepresentation of facts which might lead to penalty.

When you apply for passport online, take care to enter the name correctly as typographical errors might be only by applicants who fed the data.