The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 25 October 2023.
Changing your name on an Indian passport can be a significant step in one’s life, often accompanied by various legal and bureaucratic procedures. Whether it’s due to a change in marital status, personal preference, or any other reason, knowing the correct process for updating your name on your passport is crucial.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps and requirements to change name on Indian passport, ensuring that you have the necessary information to navigate this important undertaking with ease. We have also included a sample of the newspaper advertisement.
With the latest rules, one does not have to sweat it out in the passport office. You can easily apply for “Re-issue of Passport” on the official website and then visit the Passport Seva Kendra (Indian Embassy or Consulate for NRIs abroad) to complete the process.
To change the name on your passport, you have two options: you can do it online through the official passport portal or visit your local Passport Seva Kendra in person. We’ll explain both methods:
Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva portal on the internet.
Step 2: Register and log in using your login details.
Step 3: Select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport” from the list of options.
Step 4: In the online application, pick “re-issue of the passport” and specify the details you want to change.
Step 5: Fill in the information related to your name change.
Step 6: Agree to the terms and conditions by selecting “Yes” and save your details before clicking “Next.”
Step 7: Choose the documents you’ll use to prove your address and birth.
Step 8: Print the application form, make the payment, and keep a receipt.
Step 9: Schedule an appointment based on availability.
Step 10: Upload scanned copies of your documents and download the final receipt.
After completing these steps, you’ll need to visit the passport office on your appointment date and take your application receipt and other required documents. The authorities will verify everything, and your updated passport will be sent to your home address by mail.
Step 1: Create an affidavit that includes your old and new names and explains why you’re changing your name.
Step 2: Once this process is complete, the Gazette of India will publish your new name.
Step 3: Publish two advertisements in separate newspapers about the name change.
Step 4: Visit your local Passport Seva Kendra to submit your application to change your name on your passport.
In case you don’t have a court order indicating a name change, you would require:
The change in the name refers to:
I, ________________s on/daughter of______________, holder of Indian Passport No_____________, issued at _______ on ________, permanent resident of____________(full postal address in India to be given) and presently residing at_______________(full postal address in country of residence to be given) do hereby change my name from ________________ to ________________ with immediate effect.
I, ________________ father of______________, holder of Indian Passport No_____________, issued at ________ on ________, permanent resident of____________(full postal address in India to be given) and presently residing at_______________ (full postal address in UAE to be given) do hereby change my Son/daughter name from ________________ to________________ with immediate effect.
The following additional documents will be needed if the name change is due to a change in marital status:
In case you are a married woman wishing to change your surname, you have to apply for a “Re-issue” of the passport and get the specified change done in the personal particulars.
In addition to the normal name change documents, you will have to provide copies of your marriage certificate and your husband’s passport (if any).
In case the marriage certificate or joint affidavit cannot be provided then an Affidavit according to Annexure K (download here) can be provided.
In case the applicant is a divorcee wishing to revert back to her maiden name, a copy of the divorce decree is needed.
No additional document is required for deletion of the spouse’s name on account of divorce/separation.
In case the applicant is a widow, the death certificate of the husband should be attached to the form.
Advertisement/declaration in a reading newspaper is not required.
The above information is sourced from the best sources and presented in simply comprehensible language.
Still, it is advised to check the official passport website of India as any latest change would be automatically updated there.
In order to add or change your surname on your passport, you must apply for a “Reissue” of your passport and have the specific change done in your personal information.
Travelling under your previous name is not recommended. Passports must be reissued if you want to change your name.
If you find any mistake/error in the details printed in the passport booklet, please return it to the Regional Passport Office for necessary rectification. Upon approval of the rectification by the competent authority, a new booklet with a new passport number would be issued.
Copyright © NRIGuides.com – Unauthorized reproduction of this article in any language is prohibited. The information provided on this website is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Aneesh, the Founder & Editor of DG Pixels, holds a Master’s Degree in Communication & Journalism, and has two decades of experience living in the Middle East. Since 2014, he and his team have been sharing helpful content on travel, visa rules, and expatriate affairs.
