13 Jul Documents for Passport Name Change 2026 – Full Checklist
Documents Required for Passport Name Change in India: Complete Checklist (2026)
Half the passport name change files we see get stuck for one reason: a missing document. Not a hard-to-get document. Usually something small — the newspaper clipping without the full page, or a Gazette copy that was never applied for.
This checklist covers every document a passport name change in India requires, sorted by your situation, with the Karnataka-specific details built in.
What Documents Do I Need to Change My Name on My Passport?
Every applicant needs their old passport, address proof, and identity proof. Beyond that, it depends on the reason: a marriage certificate for surname changes after marriage, a divorce decree for reverting to a maiden name, or the full trio — notarized affidavit, two newspaper ads, and Gazette of India notification — for a complete name change. The passport office processes all of these as a "Reissue of Passport."
The Ministry of External Affairs updated its Passport Seva manual in 2026, and the key change is this: for a total change of name, the Gazette notification is mandatory. An affidavit alone won't do it anymore, no matter how well it's drafted.
Which Documents Are Required in Every Case?
Regardless of why your name is changing, carry these to your PSK appointment:
- Old passport (original) — plus self-attested photocopies of the first two pages, last two pages, the ECR/Non-ECR page, and any observation page
- Proof of current address — Aadhaar card, voter ID, electricity bill, or bank passbook
- Identity proof — Aadhaar or PAN card
- Recent passport-size photographs per government specifications
- Printed application receipt with your ARN from the Passport Seva portal
Originals come home with you after verification. The photocopies stay in the file.
What Documents Are Needed for a Name Change After Marriage?
The good news: this is the simplest category. You need either a marriage certificate or Annexure J — a joint photo declaration signed by both spouses. No Gazette. No newspaper ads. No affidavit.
Your checklist:
- Marriage certificate (issued by the registrar) or Annexure J
- Spouse's passport copy, if their name is being added
- Old passport + standard documents listed above
One caveat from our files: if your marriage certificate shows your maiden name but every other ID already carries your married name, expect the PSK to ask questions. Keep at least one document trail connecting both names — the marriage certificate itself usually does this job if both names appear on it.
Also worth saying plainly: changing your surname after marriage is optional. No rule forces it. Plenty of applicants keep their maiden name on the passport and simply add the spouse's name in the spouse column.
What Documents Are Needed for a Complete Name Change?
This is where most rejections happen. For a change of first name, surname, or your entire name, the MEA requires all three of these — in this order:
- Name change affidavit — sworn on non-judicial stamp paper before a Notary Public, stating your old name, new name, and reason
- Two newspaper advertisements — one in an English daily and one in your local language. In Karnataka, that means a Kannada paper such as Vijaya Karnataka, Prajavani, or Udayavani
- Gazette of India notification — published by the Department of Publication after you submit the affidavit and ad clippings
Submit the original full newspaper pages, not cut-out clippings. The page must show the newspaper's name and date. This single mistake sends more applicants home from Bengaluru PSKs than any other.
| Step | Document Produced | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit + notarization | Notarized name change affidavit | ₹100–₹500 (stamp paper + notary) |
| Newspaper ads (2 papers) | Full newspaper pages with your ad | Varies by paper and city |
| Gazette application | Gazette of India notification copy | ₹1,100–₹1,700 government fee |
Do the three steps as one continuous sequence. A six-month gap between your affidavit date and your Gazette application invites objections.
Central Gazette or Karnataka State Gazette?
For passports: Gazette of India, always. The Karnataka State Gazette serves state government employees and certain state records. If your goal is the passport, apply to the central Gazette through the e-Gazette portal or a service like ours. We've had clients arrive with a state Gazette copy and lose a month redoing it.
What Documents Are Needed After Divorce or for Spelling Corrections?
After divorce, to revert to your maiden name:
- Certified copy of the divorce decree
- Old passport + standard documents
If the decree doesn't mention the name reversion, some RPOs ask for a deed poll or affidavit as backup. Get one made anyway — it costs a few hundred rupees and removes the discretion.
For minor spelling corrections (say, "Rohith" to "Rohit" to match Aadhaar):
- Documents showing the correct spelling — Aadhaar, school leaving certificate, birth certificate
- Old passport + standard documents
Some PSKs accept this without a Gazette. Others don't. The line between a "correction" and a "change" is judged at the counter, and it isn't consistent. If your travel dates aren't tight, do the Gazette. If they are — ask your PSK first. One phone call to 1800-258-1800 saves a wasted appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an affidavit alone enough to change my name on a passport?
No — not for a major name change. Under the MEA's 2026 rules, a Gazette notification for passport name change is mandatory when the first name or surname changes completely. The affidavit is step one, not the whole process.
Do I need newspaper ads if I'm changing my surname after marriage?
No. Marriage certificate or Annexure J. That's it.
Which newspapers should I advertise in for Karnataka?
One English daily and one Kannada daily circulating in your district. Prajavani, Vijaya Karnataka, and Udayavani are commonly accepted Kannada options. Keep the full page, not the clipping.
Can I submit photocopies of the newspaper pages?
No. PSKs want the original full pages showing the newspaper name and publication date. Buy two copies of each paper on the day your ad runs — one for the passport file, one for the Gazette application.
What is Annexure J?
A joint photo declaration signed by husband and wife, used in place of a marriage certificate when adding a spouse's name or changing a surname after marriage. The format is on the Passport Seva portal.
My documents show three different spellings of my name. What do I do?
Fix the trail before touching the passport. Decide the final spelling, run the affidavit → ads → Gazette process for that spelling, update Aadhaar, then apply for reissue. Applying with mismatched records is how files end up on hold for months.
Conclusion: Build the File Before You Book the Appointment
The document list isn't long — it's just sequential. Marriage cases need one certificate. Complete name changes need the affidavit, two full newspaper pages, and the Gazette of India copy, prepared in that order before you open the Passport Seva portal.
Next steps:
Match your situation to the checklist above
Gather (or start producing) the reason-specific documents
Book your PSK slot only after every document is in hand
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