How to Correct Name or Date of Birth in Indian Passport

Many Indian passports carry spelling errors or wrong birth dates. These mistakes may look small, but they can block your visa, job, or even airport entry.

Name mismatch or DOB confusion usually happens during school certificate updates, marriage changes, or manual form entries at PSK.

If your current ID does not match your passport, your reissue or renewal request will get rejected. RPO officers check every document line by line before approving corrections.

Most delays happen when applicants choose the wrong form option or submit without a Gazette copy or affidavit.

This guide helps you how to correct name or date of birth in Indian passport step by step. It explains what the MEA and Passport Seva Kendra expect, which documents are accepted, and how to avoid police verification again.

Why Passport Errors Like Name or DOB Happen So Common

Wrong name or birth date in your passport is not always your fault. Most of these errors happen when documents do not match each other. Many people use different spellings in school records, Aadhaar card, and job IDs. Others face trouble when the passport application form is filled quickly at PSK without checking spelling or DOB carefully.

Even one wrong letter or a date mismatch can trigger rejection or delay. This is more common when your birth certificate, school leaving certificate, and Aadhaar card have different formats or years. Data entry mistakes by staff, or selecting the wrong form option like reissue instead of correction, also lead to issues.

Common causes of name mismatch in passport or wrong date of birth issue:

Spelling in Aadhaar and school records is not the same
Birth year differs in certificate and government records
PSK data entry error during biometric submission
Form filled with incomplete family details
Old ID used instead of updated one with corrected info

These look small but trigger hold flags during passport correction review by RPO.

How a Small Error Can Block Travel, Visa, or Renewal

A Delhi-based traveller reached the airport with a valid visa, bags packed for his US work trip. But at immigration, the officer flagged his passport birth year. It showed 1989.

His visa said 1990. Within seconds, he was pulled aside, his trip cancelled. Later, the embassy explained—passport mistakes blocked travel, and re-application would take weeks.

Such rejections are now common. If your passport name or date of birth does not match what you submitted in your visa file or flight ticket, the system raises a red flag.

Immigration teams do not ignore even one digit mismatch. Many travellers lose jobs, miss interviews, or face visa bans because of a wrong birth year in their passport or a minor spelling issue in the surname.

It does not stop there. Even passport renewal can fail if your documents, police report, or online form carry mismatched details. Once rejected, your reissue request goes into hold status at the Regional Passport Office, and restarting the process takes time, effort, and legal paperwork.

When You Should File a Correction (Not Wait)

Do not wait for passport renewal if your name or birth date is incorrect. Correction must happen before any travel plan, visa appointment, or job document submission. Once your file goes to the RPO with errors, it enters hold mode. Fixing it later adds delay.

If you are updating your PAN card, marriage certificate, or job records, always fix your passport first. Any mismatch between your official documents and the passport file can trigger police verification flags or rejection during MEA review.

Also, if your passport is about to expire within a year, and you know there is an issue in the spelling, initials, or date of birth—file a correction request first, then go for renewal. The system treats correction and renewal differently, and wrong sequencing can block your appointment or create ARN status confusion.

The best time to correct errors is before renewal, not during it. And never leave it to the last minute before travel—RPO processing time can vary based on location, queue, or supporting documents. A small mismatch can cause your file to stay in review or trigger fresh biometric rechecks.

What Documents You Need to Correct Name or Date of Birth

Correcting your name or date of birth in a passport is not just about one document. It depends on why the mistake happened and what the Regional Passport Office will accept. Without the right proof, your file may get stuck or rejected. So it is better to keep all required documents ready before you apply.

The type of document you need will change based on the correction. If your name changed due to marriage, you need one set. If it is a spelling issue or your date of birth is wrong, the list is different. Below are the documents that work as valid proof.

For Name Correction in Passport:

An affidavit explaining old and new name with stamp paper and notary
Gazette notification printed by your state or central government
PAN card, Voter ID, or Aadhaar card with the correct new name

For Date of Birth Correction in Passport:

Birth certificate with full details from municipal records
Class 10 board certificate showing correct birth date
Aadhaar or any valid government ID matching the corrected DOB

If your documents do not match or look unclear, PSK may place your file on hold. It is better to update Aadhaar and PAN before starting the process. Use the correct combination for faster approval.

Every proof must be easy to read, recently updated, and clearly support your change. Carry originals on the appointment day and upload clear scanned copies during online form submission.

MEA and RPO Rules for Name or DOB Corrections

Passport changes are not just form edits. The MEA and RPO treat them as legal identity updates. If your name or date of birth is wrong, you must follow strict document rules before the correction is approved.

For name correction, if it is a small spelling issue, an affidavit with your ID proof may be enough. But if your full name is changing, you must give a Gazette notification. The Gazette must clearly show your old and new names as published officially.

For DOB correction, only a birth certificate from a government body is valid. Aadhaar or school mark sheets can support but cannot replace it. If your passport was already issued with a wrong DOB, police re-verification may be triggered.

The RPO checks:

Is your new data the same in all submitted documents
Is this a minor or major identity update
Is your affidavit or Gazette properly verified

Any mismatch can lead to file rejection or delay. Always use updated, matching proofs to avoid rejections.

How to Apply for Correction Online Step-by-Step

If your passport has a name or birth date error, the correction is done by selecting Reissue through the official Passport Seva portal. This is not a fresh application—it is an update request under the same file. Every correction request generates a new ARN (Application Reference Number), which links to your document set and PSK slot.

First, register on passportindia.gov.in and log into your account. Under “Apply for Fresh/Reissue,” choose Reissue. Then, in the drop-down reason list, select the exact correction type—like Name Change, Date of Birth Update, or Correction in Personal Particulars.

Carefully fill all fields. Make sure the updated information matches your uploaded documents.

Once done:

Submit the online form and download the PDF
Upload soft copies of affidavit, Gazette, or DOB proof based on your correction
Pay the correction fee to receive your new ARN
Book a PSK slot at your nearest center using that ARN
Carry original documents to the PSK for biometric review

This correction ARN goes through RPO verification. If documents are valid and data matches, the passport is reissued with updated details. Any mismatch or unsupported document can delay your file or lead to “On Hold” status.

Use the same registered login ID to track file status after submission. Always use matching name across PAN, Aadhaar, and Gazette to avoid PSK rejections.

Common Mistakes That Get Correction Files Rejected

Even a small mistake during your passport correction filing can block the entire process. Many applicants submit the right intention but the wrong document format, unclear photos, or mismatched ID data. PSK and RPO systems flag these instantly, putting the ARN on hold without clear updates.

Affidavit not notarized or stamp missing from the document
Gazette scan blurred or edge cropped, making it unreadable
Aadhaar name or birth year does not match the correction form
Photo is glossy, too small, or has wrong background
Correction reason not explained properly in the form dropdown
New name in PAN or Voter ID not same as Gazette
Wrong form selected on Passport Seva portal
Old address still printed on uploaded ID proof
Birth certificate missing official seal or serial number
PDF file names not labeled properly (e.g., “Affidavit” or “Gazette”)

Fixing these before submission can prevent weeks of delay. Always recheck the document clarity, match across all IDs, and stick to MEA guidelines to avoid avoidable rejections.

How Long the Correction Process Takes

Once you apply for a name or date of birth correction, the actual reissue timeline begins only after you complete the PSK slot with full document upload.

If your file is clean, most passport corrections get approved in 10 to 15 working days from submission. But any mismatch, unclear scan, or identity gap can add delay.

For minor spelling errors, PSK clears the file within 2–3 days, and RPO approval usually comes in 5–7 days.

But if your correction involves full name change or birth year update, the RPO may reinitiate police verification even if you passed it earlier.

This alone can stretch the timeline to 20–25 working days, especially if the local police station delays the report.

Keep tracking your ARN on passportindia.gov.in and check for status like “Under Review”, “Pending Police Report”, or “Sent to RPO for Approval”. If it shows no change after 7 days, raise a grievance or visit your RPO with documents.

Most long delays happen due to Gazette document scan issues, affidavit mismatch, or address proof confusion flagged during final RPO scrutiny.

How to Track Correction File Status After Submission

After submitting your passport correction form and completing the PSK visit, your file can be tracked using the ARN on the passportindia.gov.in portal. This is your unique file ID for checking live updates.

Follow these clear steps to track correction status:

Visit the official site and click “Track Application Status” on the home page.
Enter your Application Type as “Passport” and fill in your 15-digit ARN.
Click submit to see your current file status.

You may see updates like:

Under Review: Your file is with the Regional Passport Office for document verification.
On Hold: Something is missing or mismatched—usually a scanned affidavit or Gazette copy.
Document Mismatch: The submitted name or birth date proof does not match Aadhaar or old passport.
Pending Police Report: Re-verification has been triggered by RPO.
Granted and Sent for Printing: Your correction has been approved and the passport is in the final stage.

Always check the SMS or email linked to your passport login. If the status does not change within 7 working days, raise a query via the Passport Grievance Redressal portal or contact your nearest RPO with ARN and submission date.

What to Do If Correction Gets Rejected by RPO

Passport correction rejections leave many confused. You may have submitted all proofs, yet still receive an RPO status update saying “Rejected” or “Clarification Required”. This usually happens due to scanned file errors, unclear affidavits, or mismatched IDs. But the issue can be resolved if you act quickly.

Follow these recovery steps:

Mention your ARN number, file date, and attach your rejection email or screenshot.

Prepare a corrected document—like a clearer affidavit, updated Gazette copy, or matching Aadhaar scan.

Submit clarification online using the same ARN through the Passport Seva portal (if the option appears under your status).

If not resolved in 5–7 days, visit your nearest RPO with:

A printout of the rejection reason
The corrected document set
Your ARN acknowledgement slip
A clear explanation letter signed with the same name format

Most rejected passport correction files are cleared after this clarification step if all papers are proper. But delays increase if the grievance is not filed promptly or papers are mismatched again.

Final Pre-Submission Checklist for Correction

Even a small mistake in your correction form can delay your passport by weeks. Before you confirm your ARN or book a PSK slot, take a final pause. Go through this checklist step by step. It helps prevent file rejections, biometric holds, or RPO verification flags.

If you are correcting your name or birth date, you must recheck both your uploaded documents and your form details. Once submitted, you cannot edit the ARN, so this step is your last safe gate.

Name Correction Final Checks

Gazette PDF scan is clear, full, and matches the exact name format in your form
Affidavit is freshly dated, with ink signature and notary stamp clearly visible
PAN or Voter ID shows same name spelling as new passport request
Form option selected is “Reissue” and purpose mentioned as “Change in Name”

DOB Correction Final Checks

Birth certificate scan is legible, shows name, DOB, and registration authority
10th marksheet uploaded is from CBSE/recognized board and not edited
Aadhaar reflects corrected DOB to avoid mismatch during PSK data sync
No conflict in year/month/date across all supporting documents

Once your uploads pass this checklist, print your ARN and appointment slip. Keep originals ready. File rejections happen mostly due to small oversights like unclear Gazette pages or mismatched date entries. You avoid that here.

Need Help Correcting Your Passport?

Facing issues with your passport correction? The Passport Agents team helps you sort name or date of birth mistakes without stress. We guide you through Gazette steps, recheck your documents, and solve rejection cases smoothly. Whether it is a missed affidavit or form error, our experts know exactly what the RPO looks for. Get your correction done right, the first time.

How to Correct Name or Date of Birth in Your Passport in India?