How to Correct or Change Name in Passport

How to Correct or Change Name in Passport

Passport Name Correction

A vital travel document, your passport, calls for a thorough approach to name correction validation. A mismatched name on your passport can give rise to legal concerns, immigration difficulties or travel delays. Amending or updating your name on the passport, improvement in your passport becomes important under the following circumstances:

• Marriage: Changing one's last name after marriage.
• Divorce: choosing a new surname following a divorce or reverting to your maiden name.
• Adoptions: Changing the child's name after adoption.
• Name Change: Changes made by court order or personal choice.
• Administrative Mistakes: Fixing errors found in the first passport issuance.

Why Do You Need to Change Name in Passport?

If your passport has wrong information, such as your name or address, correcting it is absolutely necessary. For various legal and personal reasons, including changing your surname after marriage or correcting any errors in your name, passport name correction is needed.

How to Change or Correct a Name in a Passport

There are two main ways to modify or rectify name in your passport: online or offline. Both procedures are simple. Your choice depends on your convenience and the nature of the name change.

If you need to change the name on your passport, this manual will assist you with the process. Important details like your name and address are found on your passport, and hence, they must be accurate.

Online Application Process to Correct or Change the Name on Your Passport

If you want to change or rectify your name in your passport, the online application process offers a quick and simple solution. Here is the right guide to support you:

Step 1: Go to the Official Passport Seva Portal

Visit the official Passport Seva website for your country.

Step 2: Register and Sign in

New users must register first. If you are already registered, fill your credentials.

Step 3: Select Application Type

From the list of options, select "Apply for Fresh Passport or Re-issue of Passport".

Step 4: Choose the Online Application Option

Select alternative 1, which refers to the online application process.

Step 5: Choose Reissue of Passport

Next, you must choose the Reissue of Passport option and note that you wish to change your name.

Step 6: Give Name Change Specifics

Describe the passport name change information. Try to be as accurate as possible.

Step 7: Agreeing to Terms of Conditions

Read and accept the terms and conditions before going further. After that, save the data provided.

Step 8: Provide the Documents

You will then be asked to submit papers to attest to your date of birth and address.

Step 9: Print the Application

Once all the information is entered, print the application form and pay through the portal. A receipt will be generated.

Step 10: Schedule a Meeting

You can arrange an appointment at your closest passport office once you have applied and paid.

Step 11: Upload Relevant Documents

Upload scanned copies of the necessary papers prior to your appointment. Remember to download the final receipt.

Step 12: Keep the Appointment

On the day of your appointment, bring your application receipt as well as any other necessary papers to the passport office. Officials will double-check everything, and your new passport will be sent to your address following the process.

Offline Application Process to Correct or Change the Name on Your Passport

If you prefer to submit your application offline, the procedure is somewhat more complex yet manageable. Here's what you should do:

Step 1: Affidavit Drafting

First you have to draft an affidavit stating your wish to fix the spelling error in your name. The affidavit should contain:

• Your wrong name as displayed in the document.
• The correct name (with the proper spelling).
• The cause for correction (spelling mistake).
• Legal validity depends on the notary's affidavit verification.

Step 2: Advertising in Newspapers

You have to advertise your name change in two publications, one in the local language and one in English.

The newspaper ad must contain:

• Your incorrect name.
• The correct name.
• The reason for the name correction (spelling mistake).

Step 3: Gazette Notification

Once you have announced the name change in newspapers, you must seek official Gazette notification. This creates legal proof of the corrected spelling and demands its use in every government document.

Step 4: Head to Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Submit your application and documents at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) after completing the processes mentioned above.

Reasons to Change Your Name on the Passport

People modify the names on their passports for a number of reasons. Common ones include:

• Marriage: A woman may change her surname following marriage.
• Divorce: Returning to a maiden name or changing surnames following divorce.
• Remarriage: Renaming after remarriage.
• Other Reasons: Changing your name for legal, personal, or professional purposes

Documents Required to Change Name on Passport

Depending on the particular reason for the name change on a passport, the papers needed vary. You may have to present the following:

To Change Name After Marriage

• A self-attested copy of the marriage certificate
• Your passport or that of your spouse's copy.

Change of Name following Divorce

• A certified copy of the divorce decree.
• A deed poll or sworn affidavit on nonjudicial stamp paper.

Changing Name Following Remarriage

• Evidence of divorce or a death certificate of the husband.
• If available, a copy of the passport of the previous husband.
• Self-attested copies of the marriage certificate from the most recent marriage

To Change Name for Other Reasons

• A sworn affidavit or deed poll on nonjudicial stamp paper.
• Two newspaper advertisements about the name change on a passport.

Fees & Charges for Changing Name on Passport

The kind of passport you are applying for determines the cost of reissuing yours. Breakdown of the costs is as follows: