How To Change Name In 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 – Process Explained

A passport is a crucial document that contains all the essential details, including your name and address. This vital document serves as proof of identity when travelling abroad. Hence, it becomes extremely important that your passport’s details are accurate and updated. Indian passport name correction is an important topic for those in India who have made an error in the name on their passport. But with the right steps, you can get it corrected within no time.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the process of name change in the Indian passport. From the initial application process to the required documents and the fees involved, our guide will tell you everything about the Indian passport name change process.

Reasons to Change Name in the Passport

Here are the top reasons why one might opt for passport name correction:

Marriage

Many women change their surnames to their spouses after marriage. This requires a name change in the Indian passport too. 

Divorce

After a divorce, some people prefer going back to their original surname or even changing it altogether. This requires a name change in the passport. 

Personal Choice

Sometimes, people change their name because of astrological or personal reasons, such as wanting to change it to a better-sounding name or a name that has more meaning to the person. These situations also require passport name correction. 

Legally Changing Name

If you have legally changed your name, then the name in your Indian passport must also be changed to reflect the new name. 

Mistake in Spelling

If there’s a spelling error in the name on your passport, then it must be changed to the correct spelling.

As you’ve got to know the reasons for changing the name in the passport, let’s now look at the process of getting it done. 

Procedure to Change Name in the Indian Passport

Changing a name in the Indian passport is no longer a hassle with these easy-to-follow steps. 

Online Process

Here’s a step-by-step guide you need to follow for passport name correction online:

Step 1: Visit the official website of Passport Seva. 

Step 2: Now, register on the portal and log in using your credentials.

Step 3: Click on ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport’ from the list of options. 

Step 4: Next, choose Alternative 1 for the online application.

Step 5: On the upcoming webpage, select the ‘re-issue of the passport’ option and choose the details you wish to change in your passport.

Step 6: Fill in the passport application form with accurate details relating to the name change in the Indian passport. 

Step 7: Choose ‘Yes’ in the agreement with terms and conditions to proceed further. Make sure you ‘Save‘ the provided details before hitting the ‘Submit’.

Step 8: Select the documents you want to submit as address and DOB proof. 

Step 9: Now, click on ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment‘. Now, you must pay a specified fee to schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO). 

Step 10: Next, select the ‘Print Application Receipt‘ option to get a challan containing your ARN (Application Reference Number). 

Step 11: After a successful application, visit your nearest passport seva office with original documents for verification on the allocated date.

Once the authorities complete the verification process, they will mail the updated passport to your home address. 

Offline Process

A name change in the Indian passport can easily be done offline by following the steps given below:

Step 1: First, establish a Passport Name Correction affidavit containing the applicant’s details like old name, new name, address and reasons for raising the name change request. 

Step 2: Once done, the new name will be published in the Gazette of India. Make sure you keep copies of the same for future reference. 

Step 3: Post an advertisement in two local newspapers about the name change in the Indian passport. 

Step 4: Lastly, go to the regional Passport Seva Kendra and submit your application requesting a new passport.  

After verification, you will surely get a new passport. 

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Documents Required for Change of Name in the Passport

Documents required for passport name correction depend on the situation under which the applicant is changing his/her name. Check the reasons below to learn more.

Passport Name Change After Marriage

After marriage, a woman needs to submit the following passport name change documents to get her name changed in the passport:

• Copy of her passport or her husband’s passport
• Self-attested copies of the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriage 

Passport Name Change After Re-Marriage

In case of re-marriage, an applicant must submit the below-listed documents to initiate the Indian passport name change request:

• Ex-husband’s death certificate or proof of divorce 
• Self-attested copy of the certificate of marriage issued by the Registrar of Marriage office 
• Photocopy of husband’s passport, if available 

Passport Name Change After Divorce

If a women is willing to change her surname after divorce, the following documents are required to be submitted for passport name correction:

• A certified copy of the divorce decree
• Sworn Affidavit/Deed poll on a non-judicial stamp paper of minimum value by a Notary

Passport Name Change in Other Situations

If you wish to change your name in the passport for any other reasons, you’ll need to submit the following documents:

• Advertisement about changing the name in two leading local publications of your city/town
• Sworn affidavit or deed poll on a stamp paper (non-judicial)

The passport name change process will accelerate on submitting the relevant documents as per your situation. 

Fees for Passport Name Correction

The passport name correction request requires authorities to re-issue the passport. Notably, passport re-issuance is chargeable depending on the type of application, number of pages and validity of the passport. 

The tabular representation below depicts the fees for name change in the Indian passport. 

FAQ’s about Passport Name Change