Documents Required for Name Change in Passport [Updated 2025]

Changing your name in a passport needs more than just filling the form. You must carry proof. Real proof. The new name must match the documents you show. If names do not match, the officer will hold the file. That is where many people get stuck.

A woman adding her husband name follows one step. A personal name change or a spelling mistake takes a different step. Some changes need a Gazette copy. Some need newspaper ads. For Tatkal, rules are tight. Only small changes work. If you try to fast track with a full name change, the application may be blocked. You also need extra ID proof to apply under Tatkal.

At the Passport Seva Kendra, Aadhaar or marriage certificate alone is not enough. The file must carry all papers like address proof, identity card, PSK receipt, and if needed, the right Annexure. Your papers depend on what name change you are asking. One missing proof can delay everything.

This guide shows the full list of Documents Required for Name Change in Passport. It covers adult changes, minor cases, Tatkal process, and name after marriage. Every step matches what the Passport Seva office and RPO really check.

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When you need name change on passport

Your name on the passport must match the records you show. If your Aadhaar shows one name but your passport shows something else, the officer will flag it. This happens when names change in real life but not in documents.

A small spelling mistake also needs correction. If you are taking your husband name after marriage or removing it after divorce, that also counts. Even if you changed your name long back through the Gazette, it must show on the new passport.

Here are common cases where name change is needed:

Added new surname after marriage
Changed full name in Gazette
Corrected spelling in first or last name
Removed husband name after divorce
Switched order of first and last name
Updated middle name or added it
Dropped part of name from Aadhaar
Name mismatch in PAN or voter ID

If any of these apply, the passport will not auto-update. You must apply for reissue with proof. The new name must match the PSK application and the identity documents you show. If the papers do not match, your file may stop at the RPO.

Documents Required for Adult Passport Name Change

When you apply to change your name on your passport, the RPO or PSK check your documents. If anything is missing or mismatched, the passport officer can stop the file at the counter.

The PSK does not accept just one proof. You must carry the reissue form printout, show your Aadhaar or ID, and attach name change proof. Even a Gazette copy alone is not enough unless supported by other updated IDs. All papers must be in the same name you want in the passport.

Here are the required papers for adult reissue:

Reissue form and PSK appointment slip
Current passport with self-attested copies
Aadhaar card or voter ID with new name
Name change proof like Gazette or ads
At least two IDs showing the new name
Address proof like utility bill or bank passbook
Old name and new name must match across papers
Identity proof for Tatkal like PAN or DL

If you are applying in Tatkal, the officer will also ask for three extra ID proofs. These must match your photo and your current name. If you are changing your name after marriage, the PSK may accept a marriage certificate or Annexure J as proof. But in full name change, Gazette or newspaper ads are always needed.

Any mismatch in names, address, or photo can delay the reissue. The RPO may send the file for extra police check if it doubts the documents. So keep your papers ready and self-attested.

Documents Required for Name Change in Tatkal Passport

Tatkal is for urgent cases, but not for every name change. If you changed your full name, like first name and surname both, your file will not go in Tatkal. You must apply under the normal scheme. Small changes like spelling fix or adding your husband surname may pass, but only if the PSK accepts it.

For Tatkal, you still carry the same base documents: passport reissue form, Aadhaar card, old passport, name change proof, and address paper. But police verification happens after the passport is issued. So the officer checks your ID more strictly before approving.

That is why you must carry three extra identity documents. These confirm your name, photo, and public ID.

Accepted documents for Tatkal name change:

Aadhaar card with full name
PAN card with photo and signature
Voter ID issued by Election Commission
Driving licence with correct name
Old passport copy if available
Birth certificate from local office
Ration card with photo or bank passbook

These papers help skip pre-issue police verification. They show that your name is already active in other verified places. All three must match the new name.

At PSK, you will also sign a Tatkal declaration. This form confirms your identity and accepts post-issue verification. It is a basic form, but needed.

If you cannot give three strong IDs, Annexure F can be used. This is a signed certificate from a senior officer like DM, SP, or Under Secretary. Your photo must be half stamped and it must be printed on letterhead. But this is optional now. Most applicants use the 3-document rule.

Documents Required for Name Change in Minor Passport

For minors, name change in a passport needs both parents or a legal guardian to show the right papers. The passport office checks every detail before the reissue. If one parent is missing or the address does not match, the file may get delayed.

Start with the birth certificate. It proves both name and age. Then show the current passport of the child, if available. The parent must also show their own ID and passport. If the address is the same, the parent document works as address proof too.

Here are the documents needed for minor passport reissue:

Passport form with child and parent details
Birth certificate from municipal or panchayat office
Old passport of the child if available
One parent passport copy with signature page
Address proof in parent name with same address
Gazette or newspaper ads for name change
Aadhaar card or school ID of the child
Annexure C if only one parent signs

If you are applying under Tatkal, carry any two ID documents from the minor’s side. Aadhaar, birth certificate, or school ID works. For single-parent cases, Annexure C is needed to explain the custody. Annexure D is not used now. Gazette or newspaper proof is also needed for any major name change.

Tatkal for minors only works when both parents give consent and the change is simple. If the child’s name is changing fully or if Annexure C is involved, a normal scheme is the only option.

Documents Required for Name Change on Passport for Married Women

If a woman changes her surname after marriage, the passport must be updated. The officer checks if the new name is backed by marriage proof. If it is not clear, the file may be delayed or put on hold.

If you do not have a marriage certificate, the passport office accepts Annexure J. It must have your joint photo with your husband and a signed declaration. That works as proof of marriage.

For those who want to remove the husband name after divorce, the divorce decree is enough. If you want to go back to your maiden name, use the decree or death certificate if your spouse has passed. No need for Gazette in these cases.

But if you are changing your full name, not just the surname, then Gazette or two newspaper ads are required. Also submit two updated ID proofs in the new name.

Here are the accepted documents:

Marriage certificate issued by local authority
Annexure J with joint photo and signatures
Divorce decree or death certificate of spouse
Copy of husband passport (optional but useful)
Aadhaar, PAN or voter ID with new surname
Gazette or newspaper ads for full name change
Two public documents showing the new name
Self-attested copies along with the originals

This list only applies if the name change is due to marriage or divorce. Full name changes always follow Gazette or newspaper rule. The PSK will update the spouse name in the passport if your documents are clear and match.

Which affidavits are used for name change in passport

Not every name change needs an affidavit. But in some cases, the passport file will stay stuck unless the right Annexure is added. The officer checks your papers against the rules. If anything is missing, the file can be held at RPO level or sent for extra verification.

Some affidavits are old. Some are only for Tatkal. Some work when a parent applies alone. And some are optional but still help when names do not match fully. Below are the exact affidavit types and how each one fits.

Annexure E and why it is not needed now

This was the old affidavit for name change. It had your old name, new name, date, and a self-declared reason. Earlier, many people used Annexure E with a notary stamp to prove identity. But after 2016, passport rules changed.

Now, you do not need Annexure E in most cases. Gazette notification or two newspaper ads work as official proof. Some Indian embassies may still ask for Annexure E outside India. But inside India, Passport Seva offices no longer ask for it in routine reissue cases. The affidavit is not rejected—but it is not required.

Annexure F for Tatkal and who can sign it

Tatkal is fast, but strict. You get the passport first. Police check comes later. So the officer needs strong ID proof before approval. Annexure F helps when you do not have three solid ID documents.

Annexure F is a verification certificate. It is signed on official letterhead by a senior government officer. They must know you personally and confirm that your name, photo, and details are correct. If you use this, your photo must be half stamped on the form and half on your image.

Only top officials can sign Annexure F. This includes IAS rank officers, District Magistrate, police superintendent, or Under Secretary. Always use the official format. Do not try with an outdated version.

Annexure J for marriage proof without certificate

Some couples do not have a registered marriage certificate. In such cases, Annexure J fills the gap. It is a joint affidavit signed by both husband and wife. Their photo is attached, and both must declare that they are legally married.

This affidavit is used when the woman adds her husband name or changes surname after marriage. It works like marriage proof. The officer accepts Annexure J if the details are clear and both are present at the PSK. If the couple also carries their Aadhaar and PAN, it speeds things up.

Annexure J is not needed if you already have a marriage certificate. But if you do not, this affidavit is the alternate way to prove your new surname is valid.

Annexure C for single parent or widow cases

In some passport files, only one parent is present. This happens in divorce, separation, or if one parent has passed away. The officer needs to know why only one signature is there. That is where Annexure C comes in.

Annexure C is a simple sworn statement. It tells the passport office that you are applying alone as a single parent or guardian. You also mention if you have legal custody or if the other parent is no longer living.

This affidavit is only for minors. It shows the legal reason behind one-parent consent. Along with this, you must show a death certificate or custody papers. The officer checks both at the counter.

When affidavits help even if not mandatory

Sometimes the documents are all correct, but the names do not match perfectly. It may be a spelling error. Or the Aadhaar shows the new name but your old PAN is still active. In such files, the officer may not reject—but may ask for clarity.

In these cases, a self-declared affidavit helps. It gives context. It connects your old name with the new one. If you already have Gazette proof, the affidavit adds weight. If you do not, it helps avoid rejections.

When Gazette or newspaper ad required for name change on passport

Not all name changes need a Gazette. But if you change your full name or both first and last name, the passport office does not accept just Aadhaar or school records. They need public proof. That is where Gazette or newspaper ads come in.

This is part of the major name change rule. When the new name is completely different from the old one, it must be shown in a public record. Only then the PSK considers the reissue valid.

Here are cases where Gazette or newspaper ad is needed:

Changed both first and last name
Full name not linked to old name
Personal name change for religious reason
Name changed through court order
Passport shows old name, Aadhaar shows new
No marriage certificate and surname also changed
PAN, bank or voter ID still show old name
Tatkal request with mismatch in IDs

If you give two newspaper ads, one must be from a national paper. If you give a Gazette, it must be from India or your state. You also need to carry two ID proofs that already show the new name. Without this, even a valid Gazette is not enough.

In marriage-based changes, Gazette is not needed if you are only adding the husband surname and have a marriage certificate or Annexure J. But for a full name switch after marriage, Gazette or ads are still checked.

Common Mistakes That Delay Name Change in Passport

Your passport file can stop even if you carry all documents. If one paper has old details or the proof is unclear, the PSK may hold your application. Some cases go to RPO for review. Others get pushed to post-issue police verification.

Below are real mistakes that often delay the process:

Submitted Gazette but no ID with new name
Aadhaar and PAN show different spellings
Gave Annexure J without photo or signature
Address proof has name but no matching address
Carried photocopies without self-attesting them
Tatkal file had only two ID documents
Birth certificate was not from valid authority
Marriage certificate did not match current surname

Most delays happen due to mismatch, not missing documents. The officer checks the full file flow—application form, name proof, ID match, and address logic. Even one slip can send the file to RPO hold or block your Tatkal path.

Always check spelling, document issue date, and make sure each proof clearly shows the name you are applying for.

FAQ’s

Can I change name in passport without Aadhaar?

Yes, you can. But bring other papers that already show your new name. PAN card or voter ID is fine. Just do not leave the Aadhaar section blank if it is asked.

How many days it takes to update name in passport?

It depends on how clean your file is. Tatkal can take 5-7 days. Normal cases go 25 to 30. If RPO flags it for mismatch, it may stretch longer. So check your documents before you submit.

Is it compulsory to update name in Aadhaar first?

No, but it helps. If Aadhaar shows your old name and PAN shows the new one, the officer may ask why. That gap delays things. Same name across all ID avoids trouble.

What happens if name change is rejected by RPO?

Two things can happen. Either the file stays on hold or it moves to police verification. Sometimes they just send SMS with no follow-up. You will need to go back and fix the issue.

Is Gazette needed for minor name change?

Only if the full name is changed. For adding surname or small spelling fixes, school certificate and Aadhaar might be enough. But full name switch? That needs Gazette or newspaper proof.

Can I apply passport with old name after marriage?

Yes. If you are not ready to change your name yet, just fill the same details. No rule forces surname change after marriage. It is your call. Update later when you want.

Which name goes in police verification for passport?

The one you wrote in your PSK form. That exact name is sent to the police team. If your address is fine and Aadhaar matches, the report usually clears fast. If not, they may visit.

Is self-declaration letter valid for name change?

Only when it is attached with proof. Alone, it will not be enough. Gazette, newspaper ad, or updated PAN must support it. Think of the letter as a helper—not a replacement.

Can I give passport as proof of my new name?

Only the new passport. Not the old one. The moment the reissue is done and you receive it, that becomes your official ID with an updated name. Use that for bank or Aadhaar change.

Will the old passport be returned after name change?

Yes. It will be cancelled and stamped, but given back. RPO sends both together. Old one becomes a record. Keep it safe—it can still help for future identity checks.

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