Need an Urgent Name Change for My Passport? Your passport is one of the important documents that is needed for travel, official work and for various verification processes. So, if there is any name change in passport, then it is important to consider and correct it so that it becomes a valid proof of your identity and useful for various purposes. In this blog, we will understand the process, documents required for name change in passport.
Why Name Change in Passport Important? After Marriage - In the case of marriage, the surname of the woman changes, so they want a name change for the passport so that their identity becomes a valid proof to be used in official documents. It serves different purposes, like the update name must be considered valid for travel and legal identification. Spelling Errors - If there is any error or minor mistake in the spelling of your name, then it requires correction. Minor spelling mistakes cause trouble in official verifications or international travel. Personal Preferences - Sometimes, a name change in passport is not due to marriage, divorce or errors but for personal preferences, as many
individuals want name change for several reasons like astrology, religious belief, numerology or cultural significance.
What is the Process of Name Change in Passport? Here's a step-by-step guide for name change in passport-
Publish a Gazette Notification The first and crucial step is to obtain the gazette notification for name change in passport. You need to publish your name in the official gazette of India along with the advertisements to be published in two local newspapers, as it acts as a legal proof of your new name and is accepted by the government authorities.
Collecting Required Documents You need to submit supporting documents like a self-attested copy of your old passport, gazette notification, identity proof like your Aadhar Card, and PAN with your new name.
Apply for Re-issue of Passport You have to visit the Passport Seva Website and select the option the Reissue of Passport, and then choose the reason for name change, and then fill out the form with the necessary details of your new name.
Pay the Fee and Schedule an Appointment After completing the form, you will be required to pay the fee and schedule the appointment with your nearest Passport Seva Kendra for further proceedings.
Attend the Appointment and Submit the Documents On the scheduled date, you should visit the Passport Sewa Kendra and submit all the required documents and your signature. Biometrics will be taken during the process.
Receive Your Updated Passport Once your documents are verified, you will receive your update passport name typically in 7 to 15 working days.
Documents Needed For a Name Change For Passport If you apply for name change in passport, then following documents are requiredOriginal Old Passport - You need an original old passport along with self-assessed copies of the first and last pages of ECR/Non-ECR pages or the observation pages. Proof of Address - Documents that support the details of your address, like your aadhar Card, driving license, PAN card or bank statement. These documents are important as they are a valid proof of your current address. Application Receipt - You will receive an application receipt after filling out the online update passport name form, which is needed for further proceedings. Passport-size Photograph - A recent passport-size photograph is required as it verifies your current appearance and also ensures that your identity remains constant across all documents.
Conclusion If you are planning to name change in passport, then it is important to know the reason so that you can submit the right documents. People change name in passport due to various reasons like marriage, divorce, and legal changes. Knowing the cause will help you to submit the right set of documents, and also simplify the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. Is the Gazette notification for passport name change important? Yes, the gazette notification for passport name change is important as it serves as legal proof of your new name that can be used in all official documents like Aadhar Card, PAN Card and even in bank passports. 2. Can I apply for a name change in my passport online? Yes, you can apply for a name change in passport online by filling out the form with the necessary details and paying fees online via the Passport Sewa website, but you have to visit the passport office for the verification process. 3. Can I correct minor name spelling mistakes in my passport?
Yes, you can correct minor spelling mistakes in the passport through the Reissue of Passport option and by filling in the correct details and attaching the supporting documents. 4. How long does the passport name process will take? It generally takes 7 to 15 working days, but it also depends on some things, like the verification process and workload at the passport office.
