How to Change Name in Passport in India – Process, Documents & Fees

A Passport is an important document required to travel internationally. It contains your personal details, including your name. In various scenarios, any individual might need to change or correct their name in their passports. For that, they can apply for the re-issue of their passport. You can do passport name correction online and offline as per your convenience.

In this guide, we have mentioned the process of how you can change or correct the name in your passport. We have also provided a list of all the required documents and the name change format for the passport according to the circumstances.

In Which Conditions You Need to Change Your Name in Passport

Here are some of the common reasons why many individuals may change their names on their passports:

• To change their entire name or surname after getting married.
• To change their surname after remarrying.
• To change their surname after divorce.
• For minor edits or spelling corrections.
• To change their surname or entire name due to personal reasons.

Online Application Process to Correct Name in the Passport

To correct or change the name in a passport using the online process, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Visit the official Passport Seva Portal online. 
2. Register and log in to the website by using your credentials.
3. Select 'Apply for a fresh passport or re-issue of passport' from the options given in the list.
4. Select 'Re-issue of passport' and mention the details that you need to update in your passport.
5. Provide all required information for the name change on your passport.
6. Then, agree to all the terms and conditions and save the information that you have given before moving forward to the next step.
7. You must select all the documents you plan to submit as identity proof and proof of date of birth. The Address proof is optional for re-issue if you are not changing your address.
8. Make the payment of applicable fees and print out the application after that. Don't forget to obtain the acknowledgement receipt.
9. Schedule an appointment at your nearest passport office according to the availability of the slots.
10. Now, upload all the scanned copies of essential documents and download the final receipt.

Lastly, you have to attend the Passport office on your appointment day. Carry the application receipt and other important documents with you. The authorities will verify your details and then send the updated passport to your registered home address via mail.

Offline Application Process to Change Name on a Passport

Here is the offline process for passport name correction in India. You can follow the steps below:

1. You need to create an affidavit with the applicant's details, such as the old name and the new name. Also, mention the reason for the name correction in the passport.
2. After completing the affidavit process, wait for the Gazette of India to publish your new name.
3. Publish two advertisements in different newspapers regarding the name change.
4. Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and submit your passport application with your updated name.
5. Complete the biometric and document verification process at PSK. After the successful verification, your updated passport will be sent to your registered home address by mail.

Documents Required to Change Name in Different Situations

The documents required for changing the name in your passport in India depend on the individual's circumstances. The different sections below outline the various documents that may be needed.

Change Name on Passport after Marriage

While applying for a name change in the passport after marriage, the process requires the following documents:

• A copy of the old or current passport of the married woman, or the passport of her husband.
• Self-attested copies of the marriage certificate or a joint photo declaration (Annexure J) signed by both the wife and husband.

Change Name on Passport after Re-marriage

If a person is required to change their name on their passport after getting remarried, here are the documents they will need:

• Proof of divorce with your previous husband or his death certificate.
• A copy of the passport of the previous husband (if available).
• A copy of the new marriage certificate or a joint photo declaration under Annexure J.
• A self-attested copy of your old passport.

Change Name on Passport after Divorce

To change the last name of a woman in her passport after the divorce, she has to provide the following documents:

• A certified copy of the divorce decree.
• A deed poll or affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper if reverting to the maiden name.
• The original or self-attested copies of the important pages of the old or current passport.

Change Name on Passport in Other Circumstances

If any person wants to change their name on their passport for any reason, then here are the documents that are required along with the application:

• An affidavit or a deed poll on a non-judicial stamp paper.
• An advertisement in at least two newspapers regarding the name change. Wait for the notification from the Gazette published by the concerned State Government as proof of their name change.
• Minimum two supporting documents, educational, public, or government, showing your new name, such as Aadhaar Card, PAN card, school certificate, etc.
• Self-attested copies of your old passport for the re-issue.

Also Want to Know About Passport Police Verification Process in India? Check Now!

For Spelling Corrections and Small Edits

According to the Passport Seva manual, minor edits and small name changes include:

• Spelling change that does not change the name phonetically.
• Variations of name according to official records.
• Rearrangement of the parts of the name, if there are no new words/letters are removed or added.

Required Documents

• Your existing passport with the self-attested copies of relevant pages.
• Documents that contain the proof of your correct name, such as Aadhaar card, birth certificates, voter ID, and others.
• An affidavit or self-declaration form (in the format mentioned under Annexure E).

Fees & Charges for Changing Name on Passport

To change the name on your passport, you need to issue a new one. The cost can vary depending on the validity of your passport, the number of pages, and the application type. 

Final Thoughts

Name change or correction in the passport can be because of several reasons, such as after marriage, divorce, remarriage, or any other circumstances. Each of the scenarios requires different documentation, and you have to proceed with the application according to that. You can complete the process online through authorised portals or offline by visiting Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

You can also take assistance from the experts of Visament. They can help you in applying for a fresh passport or a re-issue of a passport, as per your situation. You can contact them anytime as they are available 24/7 on the platform.