How to Change Name on Passport After Marriage

Changing the name on your Indian passport after marriage (commonly a surname change for women) requires a reissue of the passport to update your personal particulars. If your Aadhaar has the new name but the passport still shows the old one, it may delay visa approval or hold up international travel. All official records must show the same name after marriage.

Some update only the surname. Others adopt a full name. If you’re returning to your maiden name after divorce, the process is still the same. You do not correct the passport—you reapply with new details, supporting proof, and matching identity documents.

To change name on passport after marriage, you must submit a reissue application, attach proof like Annexure J or a marriage certificate, pay the passport fee, and complete the verification at PSK. The old booklet is reviewed, stamped, and replaced.

This guide shows every step how to update surname after marriage in passport, documents required, process, timeline, fee and what to do if your proof does not match.

When to Apply for Reissue or Fresh Passport After Marriage

If you already have a passport and your name has changed after marriage, you must apply for a reissue. Select the option for change in existing personal particulars. This lets you keep your passport history while updating your name. The old passport is returned with a stamp. The new one is printed with your updated name.

If you never had a passport before and you want your first one to show your new name after marriage, you apply as fresh. Choose a fresh application and submit the required marriage proof. Your file will be processed with your current name as printed in the marriage certificate or affidavit.

In both cases, the Passport Seva Kendra checks your ID, documents, and name proof. The process is not the same for everyone. Reissue adds your new name to your old record. Fresh passport creates a new record in the system. The form you select must match your real case.

Can I Use Tatkal Scheme for Name Change After Marriage

Most name changes after marriage are not allowed under Tatkal. If you apply with a changed surname or added spouse name and choose Tatkal, your request can be denied at the PSK.

The Tatkal scheme works only for fast-track cases where personal particulars stay the same. If your name is different from what your old passport shows, even slightly, the officer will push you into the normal route.

A major name change, like switching to a married name or removing a surname after divorce, always needs full verification. That cannot be skipped under Tatkal. Adding a spouse name in the passport is also treated as a personal detail update, so it does not qualify.

Even if you pay the normal fee online, the extra Tatkal charge is taken in cash at PSK. But in name-change cases, the system itself will not allow the Tatkal upgrade.

To avoid rejection, apply under normal processing. The timeline is longer, but your file moves without risk of denial or delay.

Who Can Apply for Name Change After Marriage in Passport

Not all name updates after marriage follow the same path. Some change the surname. Others remove a spouse name. Few shift to a completely new name after remarriage. The passport reissue form accepts these changes—but only when supported with proper documents.

Below are real cases where passport name change is allowed:

• Married women taking their husband name
• Women going back to maiden name after divorce
• Women adopting a new surname after remarriage
• Men applying to change surname post marriage
• Anyone updating full name legally after wedding
• Spouse name addition for newly married couples
• Name change due to remarriage after loss of partner
• NRI applicants updating marital name via consulate

The system accepts all of these under a reissue application. Just make sure the document trail supports the new name you want printed. If any mismatch happens, the file can get blocked at PSK or delayed during police verification.

Documents Required to Change Name in Passport After Marriage

To update your name in the passport after marriage, you need to show the change clearly through valid proof. The exact documents depend on whether you are changing just the surname, your full name, or updating spouse details. All papers must be carried in original, with one self-attested photocopy each.

Basic Documents for All Applicants

• Current passport if applying for reissue
• Reissue application receipt and ARN sheet
• Marriage certificate or Annexure J affidavit
• Address proof in your new or current name
• Valid photo ID with date of birth
• One set of self-attested photocopies
• Originals of every document for PSK check

For Women Changing Only Surname After Marriage

• Marriage certificate with both names listed
• OR Joint affidavit (Annexure J) with photo
• No need for newspaper ad or Gazette
• If reverting to maiden name, give divorce decree
• If remarried, show new marriage proof clearly

For Men Changing Name After Marriage

• Name change affidavit (Annexure E) on stamp paper
• Newspaper ads in two major dailies
• Gazette notification (mandatory for govt employees)
• Marriage certificate if adding spouse name
• Extra ID like Aadhaar showing new name (optional)

For Full Name Change After Marriage (Any Gender)

• Name change affidavit declaring old and new name
• Newspaper ad with both names and date
• Gazette copy (recommended in complex cases)
• Any valid ID in new name (PAN or bank passbook)
• Marriage certificate also required if marriage-based

For Adding or Removing Spouse Name

• Marriage certificate or Annexure J (for addition)
• Divorce decree or death certificate (for removal)
• Both documents (old and new) if remarried
• Request update in application clearly
• PSK officer checks against supporting documents

Address and Identity Proofs

• Aadhaar card with correct address
• Utility bill or bank passbook in applicant name
• Spouse document + marriage proof (if address is joint)
• Passport itself if address unchanged
• Birth certificate (for fresh applications only)

Every paper must be verified at PSK. Carry the original, plus one clear copy. If your marriage proof is in regional language, submit an English version too. Affidavits must be notarized and signed properly.

How Can I Apply Name Change on Passport After Marriage

Changing your name after marriage means starting from scratch not on everything, but definitely on your passport. You fill a reissue form. You carry proof. You meet the officer face to face. Every detail must match the old record, new name, and every ID in between.

Here is the full process, step by step:

Step 1: Gather Your Documents First

Pull out your current passport. Check if your Aadhaar or PAN shows the new name. You will also need your marriage certificate or Annexure J. If it’s a full name change, keep your affidavit, Gazette or newspaper ads ready. Originals and one self-attested copy of each paper must go with you.

Step 2: Register on Passport Seva Portal

Visit the Passport Seva website and sign up. This is the only platform where the official process starts. No shortcut. Even if you go to a PSK in person, your application will still enter the same system.

Step 3: Fill the Reissue Application Form

Login and choose “Apply for Reissue.” In the reason list, select “Change in name/surname” or “Add spouse name” if needed. You can type everything online or download the offline form and upload the XML later. Keep all spellings exactly like your documents. No mismatch, no delay.

Step 4: Upload Scans If Portal Asks

The site may ask you to upload scanned copies of marriage proof, Aadhaar, or address ID. If it does, follow the format and size rules. Even if you upload, carry all original documents to the appointment. Upload helps but does not replace physical check.

Step 5: Pay Online and Book Appointment

Once the form is ready, go to “Pay and Schedule.” You will pay online using UPI, card, or net banking. After payment, book a slot at your nearest PSK. The system gives you an Application Reference Number (ARN). Save it. Print the confirmation sheet. You will need it at the gate.

Step 6: Visit PSK With Your Full Set

On the day of the visit, take the printout and every original document. Reach early. The PSK runs on tokens. First counter checks your file. Second counter checks with the officer. Third counter gives final approval. Your photo and fingerprints are taken here. If you ask for Tatkal, they will decide here if it goes ahead.

Step 7: Police Verification If Required

If only your surname changed and your address stayed the same, police verification may be skipped. But if your file shows a new address or limited old validity, police will call or visit. Keep your original passport and Aadhaar ready. Most officers verify and close the file in 2–3 days.

Step 8: Passport Printing and Final Delivery

Once the file clears, the printing starts. Your new booklet comes by Speed Post. You also get SMS and email updates if you select them. Check the new passport for the correct name, photo, and spouse name (if added). The old passport will be returned with a cancellation stamp.

How to Apply Online for Name Change in Passport

Online is the fastest way to file your name change after marriage. No paperwork mess. No long lines to fill by hand. But still, you need to get every step right. Here’s how it flows:

Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Website

Start at passportindia.gov.in. This is the only official site. Register if you’re new. Login if you’re already signed up.

Step 2: Choose Reissue and Fill the Form Online

Click “Apply for Reissue.” Reason? Choose “Change in personal particulars.” This is where you update your new name, tick “change in name,” and if needed, select “add spouse name” too. Type slowly. Match every detail with your Aadhaar or marriage proof. Don’t leave spelling gaps.

Step 3: Upload Documents If System Asks

Some forms let you upload marriage proof, Aadhaar, or address document while filling. Upload clean scans if prompted. If not asked, skip. But remember: uploading is not a replacement. Originals are still checked at the PSK.

Step 4: Pay Online and Book a PSK Appointment

After filling, go to the payment tab. You can pay via card, UPI, or internet banking. Once paid, you get your ARN. This is your tracking number. Print the ARN sheet right after. You will need it at the PSK entry gate.

Step 5: Take Your Printouts and Go to PSK

Carry your print receipt, originals, and one set of self-attested copies. If your photo is already in the system, they’ll still take a fresh one on the spot. The online form makes it fast, but physical check is still done in person.

Passport Fees for Name Change After Marriage

When you update your name in the passport after marriage, it is processed as a reissue. That means the fee is the same as a normal passport renewal. The cost depends on the number of pages you choose and how fast you want it.

If your name change is eligible under Tatkal (rare cases only), you will first pay the normal fee online. The extra ₹2,000 Tatkal charge is paid in cash at the PSK on the day of your appointment, only if the officer approves it for fast track.

For name changes after marriage, most PSKs process it under normal scheme, so usually only the base fee applies.

Other Charges You May See

• SMS update service: ₹50 extra if you opt in
• Photocopy or printout service at PSK: ₹1–₹2 per page
• If you apply via a Common Service Centre or agent, they may take a service fee separately

Always check the latest amount on the Passport Seva Fee Calculator on the official portal. Fee amounts can change. The calculator updates based on your choice of application type, number of pages, and service speed.

How Long It Takes to Get Passport After Name Change

Once your name is updated in the passport system, the waiting starts. But the time it takes depends on two things: how you applied, and if the file needs police verification.

Normal Application Timeline

If you use the normal process and all papers are clear, most passports arrive within 3 to 4 weeks. That’s from the day you visit the PSK, not from when you first register online.

Now, if your address is the same and your previous passport had clean records, police verification is sometimes skipped. That brings the timeline down to about 7 to 14 days.

But if the officer marks police verification as required—maybe your address changed or there’s a system flag—then it stretches to 3 to 4 weeks. You’ll only get the passport after the police file clears.

Always allow buffer time. Even if you’re sure your documents are right, system delays do happen.

Tatkal Timeline (If Allowed)

If the PSK accepts your case under Tatkal—and that’s rare for marriage name changes—you may get the passport much faster. In some cases, people get it in 3 working days.

Tatkal skips police verification before printing. The police visit happens later, if needed. That’s why it’s faster. But again, most married name changes are processed under normal, not Tatkal.

Timeline for NRI or Overseas Applications

If you apply from outside India, the wait is longer. Indian embassies often take 3 to 6 weeks. The delay is because they confirm details with your original issuing office back in India.

Some consulates quote 21 days as standard. But police verification, courier time, and file back-and-forth may extend it. You should plan for 1 month if applying from abroad.

How to Track Your Status

Once your appointment is done, your file gets an ARN number. You can enter it on the Passport Seva site and see updates like:

• Police Verification Started
• Police Report Received
• Printing Started\
• Dispatched with Speed Post

After dispatch, the passport usually reaches you in 1 or 2 days. Someone must be home to collect it. Speed Post needs a signature or ID on delivery.

Extra Rules for Passport Name Change in Different Regions

Some parts of the passport name change process work the same everywhere. But depending on your RPO, city, or country, you may face extra steps. A few places ask for more papers. Others follow extra checks based on where you live now or where your last passport came from.

Local Office May Ask for Extra Proof

Some Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) may ask for more than the basic list. For example:

• Gazette copy may be needed in name change cases even if it’s marriage-based.
• Northeast states or Jammu & Kashmir applicants may face added checks due to past security rules.
• Some cities ask for an extra address proof if there’s a mismatch in current and old addresses.

Before your appointment, always check the Passport Seva portal’s Document Advisor or your RPO’s page. It tells you if any local rule applies to you.

NRIs Must Follow Embassy Instructions

If you’re living abroad, the steps are a bit different:

• Use the Passport Seva for NRI portal or your consulate’s website to start the process.
• Submit your name change documents (e.g., marriage certificate, Annexure J, affidavit) through VFS Global or the consulate directly.
• Many consulates want at least two documents with your new name.
• Some missions abroad ask for newspaper ads or Gazette even if it’s not mandatory in India.
• Tatkal is not allowed abroad for name change after marriage. Expect a normal timeline (3 to 6 weeks).

Always follow the consulate’s checklist. Each one has its own system.

Your Address Decides the Jurisdiction

Your passport application must go through the RPO that covers your current home address. Even if your old passport was issued in a different city, you can apply from your new city. But police verification will happen at your current address.

Sometimes, the original RPO is also contacted. So, if your last passport came from Delhi and you now stay in Pune, both may get involved. That may add a few days to your timeline, but it won’t block the process.

Aadhaar or PAN Change Not Mandatory Beforehand

You don’t have to update your Aadhaar or PAN before changing your name in the passport. Passport Seva accepts your marriage proof or affidavit as base for name update.

Still, many people choose to update Aadhaar and passport together for document consistency. It helps if your visa, bank, or travel paperwork needs everything in the same name.

Every RPO and Indian consulate follows the same passport law, but small things can vary. So before you go to the Passport Seva Kendra or send your file to VFS, always check:

• Local RPO notifications
• Consular guidelines (if abroad)
• Latest Document Advisor on passportindia.gov.in

Getting these right avoids rejection at the counter or delay in police verification.

How to Add or Remove Spouse Name in Passport

The spouse name field in your passport is optional. Some people add it after marriage. Some leave it blank. Either way, you need a full reissue to make any change.

Add Spouse Name After Marriage

If you are married and your old passport does not show your partner’s name, you can update it during reissue. You do not need to change your surname. Just show marriage proof.

• You can submit either your Marriage Certificate or Annexure J (joint affidavit with both names and a photo).
• The name you use will remain as it is. Only the Spouse Name field will show the update.

For example, if Priya Sharma marries Raj Gupta but continues with her own name, her new passport will still say Priya Sharma, but also show Spouse Name: Raj Gupta.

Remove Spouse Name After Divorce or Death

You may want to remove the spouse name if the marriage has legally ended or the spouse has passed away.

• To delete it, apply for a passport reissue and submit either a Divorce Decree or Death Certificate.
• Once approved, the new booklet will show a blank in the Spouse Name line.
• There is no mark or note. It is treated like any other detail, just left blank if not applicable.

Update Spouse Name After Re-marriage

You cannot overwrite your old spouse’s name without proof. For a second marriage, the passport office needs documents for both marriages:

• First, show that the previous marriage ended—submit a divorce order or death certificate.
• Then give the new marriage proof—either a certificate or joint affidavit.
• With both documents, your reissue will show the new spouse name in place of the old one.

Adding Spouse Name Does Not Change Surname

Many people think adding their husband’s name will also change their last name. That is not true.

• The spouse name field and surname are two separate fields.
• You can keep your maiden name and still show your husband’s name as your spouse.
• If you want to change both, you must clearly write both updates in the reissue form.

Spouse name update is a personal choice, not a rule. Some add it. Some don’t. But if you do want it added, removed, or changed, always use the reissue option and carry the right proof.

Common Mistakes and Issues to Avoid

Rushing through a passport name change can backfire. One missed step, and your file can get stuck for weeks. If you want your reissued passport to arrive on time and without rejections, avoid these common errors from the start.

• Selected “Fresh” instead of “Reissue”
• Missed the “name change” reason in form
• Marriage proof does not match both names
• Forgot Annexure J or divorce decree copy
• Tried Tatkal despite name change rule
• Arrived without self-attested document copies
• Did not double-check name spelling on passport
• Applied just days before booked travel
• Ignored calls during police verification period
• Trusted unverified agents instead of PSK helpdesk
• Missed extra document asked by RPO

Each of these can slow down or derail your application. So take your time, read the PSK document checklist, and carry all original proofs. A clean file always moves faster.

Conclusion

To change name on passport after marriage, apply for a reissue with the correct documents. Use your marriage certificate or affidavit, check all IDs, and carry originals to the PSK. Double-check your file before the appointment to avoid delay. A clean file means faster approval.