OCI Card Name Correction: Documents, Fees, and Application Process

Does your OCI card contain an incorrect date of birth or a spelling mistake in your name? If so, you can request a correction through the OCI Miscellaneous Services. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) uses it for corrections, additions and minor adjustments.

If you need an OCI card name correction or want to correct a spelling mistake on your OCI card, you must submit the required supporting documents along with your correction request.

Read the blog below to learn more about OCI card name correction, its process, the documents required and the applicable fees.

What Does OCI Miscellaneous Services Cover?

The OCI Miscellaneous Services cover:

• Spelling corrections for the applicant's name.
• Changing the surname after marriage or a legal name change.
• Adding or removing a middle name to align with the necessary documents.
• Correction of the date of birth
• Correction of the father's or mother's name
• Nationality or place of birth correction
• Adding or updating your photograph
• Updating a damaged OCI card with the same details

The OCI Miscellaneous Services do not cover:

• A fresh or new OCI application
• OCI reissue on the first passport after the age of 20, separate issue track
• A lost OCI card, which has a separate lost-card replacement service
• Address update, which is handled by the Address change/passport update portal flow
• Passport number update 

What Is the Correct Process for OCI Card Name Correction?

The OCI correction must be consistent with the holder's current passport. In most cases, the OCI Miscellaneous Services copies the corrected field from the applicant's current passport. A date of birth correction request is generally considered only if the corrected date of birth is already reflected in your current passport. Similarly, a name correction request should match the name shown in your current passport.

Hence, the sequencing for the OCI correction is:

1. Correcting the foreign passport first.
2. Applying for OCI Miscellaneous Services with the corrected passport as the anchor document.

Note: If there is an underlying error on the Indian side of the documents, you must fix it before filing.

Documents Required for OCI Card Name Correction

Below is a list of documents required for correcting your name on an OCI card, along with other details.

• For name correction
  • Your valid foreign passport with the correct spelling
  • Previous documents showing the earlier spelling or name
  • An affidavit stating that both spellings refer to the same individual (if required by the concerned authority)
• For surname change on marriage
  • Registered marriage certificate issued by the jurisdiction where the marriage took place
  • Current foreign passport with the new surname endorsed
  • Spouse's passport or equivalent for verification in some cases
• For changing the name legally (not marriage-related)
  • Court order/ deed poll/ legal name-change document from the applicable jurisdiction
  • Newspaper notification
  • Your current foreign passport with your new name
  • Affidavit of identity linking the old and new names
• Date of Birth correction
  • Your registered birth certificate
  • School leaving or 10th standard certificate displaying the correct DOB
  • Foreign passport with the correct DOB
  • Affidavit explaining the original error if the correction is material
• Father's or Mother's name correction
  • The applicant's birth certificate bearing the parents' names.
  • The parent's passport or other supporting documents confirming the correct name, if requested.
• Photograph Update
  • Recent passport-sized photographs as per OCI specifications
  • Explanatory covering letter for significant changes

Note: If your OCI card has been lost or stolen, the applicants are required to provide a police report.

How to Apply for OCI Card Name Correction from Abroad?

To apply for a name correction using OCI Miscellaneous Services from abroad, follow the steps below.

1. Complete the Online Application

• Access the official OCI Services Portal and choose OCI Miscellaneous Services.
• Select the option "Change/correction of Personal Particulars".
• Complete the online application using your existing OCI card and passport number linked to it.
• Make sure all the information entered in the application matches your supporting documents.

2. Upload the Supporting Documents

You must upload clear and scanned copies of the following documents:

• A copy of your current foreign passport
• Your recent passport-sized photograph
• Supporting documents showing the correct information, such as:
  
  • Your birth certificate
  • Previous passport
  • Naturalisation certificate
  • Court-issued name change order
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• These documents are necessary to verify the requested changes.

3. Submit the Application through VFS Global or BLS International

After the online application process:

• Print the completed application form with the Online Registration Number (ORN).
• Submit the application along with the necessary supporting documents through the designated VFS Global or BLS International centre serving your jurisdiction.
• Individuals living outside of India must submit their applications through the authorised service provider or concerned Indian Mission.

4. Receive your Corrected OCI Card

• The officials will review and verify the submitted documents.
• Once your application is approved, a new OCI card reflecting the corrected information will be issued.

How to Apply for OCI Card Name Correction in India

Individuals applying from India are required to submit their application through the concerned Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or another designated authority, as per the guidelines. Since the procedures may vary, applicants must verify the latest requirements with the concerned FRRO or Indian authorities before submission.

OCI Card Name Correction Fees

Unlike the fresh OCI application fees, the OCI miscellaneous service fees are different. The government fee includes:

• 100$ (or local-currency equivalent) when applying from abroad
• Rs. 5500 (for adults) when applying from inside India at FRRO/FRO
• For child applicants, the fees are lower.

In addition to the government fees, applicants may also need to pay:

• VFS Global or BLS international service charges
• Courier or postal fees
• Optional premium service fees (if selected)

Note: The applicable fee structure may vary depending on the country of application and nature of the correction request.

OCI Card Name Correction Processing Time

Processing times may vary depending on the Indian Mission, Consulate, or service provider handling your application. On average:

• Name spelling correction: 4-6 weeks
• Surname change after marriage: 4-8 weeks
• Date of birth correction: 2-6 months (depending on document verification)
• Parent's name correction: 4-8 weeks
• Photograph update: 4-6 weeks

Common Mistakes to Avoid During OCI Card Name Correction

Below are a few common mistakes that applicants make when applying for an OCI name change correction.

• Filing for another application before the passport is corrected. Filing for a second application will not accelerate the OCI correction process.
• Submitting only an affidavit without primary documentary evidence. Affidavits can be useful support, but they do not prove the evidence.
• Confusing the passport number update with correction. A new passport number is done through the normal OCI portal, not from the Miscellaneous Services.
• Forgetting to submit your old OCI card. You must return your old OCI card to the FRRO after receiving the updated one.
• Assuming the OCI file number changes. It does not change. It is the same file number with updated data on a new card.
• Not updating downstream records after the correction.
• Updating a minor's name through a single parent's authority.
• Photograph non-compliance at the Miscellaneous Services stage.

Conclusion

Keeping your OCI card details up to date is important to avoid travel issues and future documentation complications. You can easily request a Change of Personal Particulars by applying through OCI Miscellaneous Services and submitting the necessary supporting documents. You can then obtain your updated OCI card. You can also take help from professionals at Visament. They have trained experts who can guide you through the OCI card name correction process and applying for OCI Miscellaneous Services to ensure a smooth, problem-free application experience.