How to Change Your Name on Your Indian Passport

If you’re looking to change your name on your Indian passport, don’t worry. The process may be complicated for you, but if you follow the steps carefully, it’s easy. If you are willing to do it due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or personal choice, this guide will show you how to update your name without any trouble.

Why Change the Name on Your Passport?

Sometimes people need to change their name on their passport for several reasons:

• You got married and changed your last name.
• You got divorced and want to go back to your old name.
• You were adopted or made a legal name change.
• You simply want a different name.

Whatever the reason, this guide will walk you through the steps to make the change.

The Process for Changing Your Name on Your Indian Passport

There are three main steps in this process:

1. Legal Name Change:

Before changing the name on your passport, you first need to legally change it. This can be done through a court order or a gazette notification. It is important to change name legally to avoid any future misunderstanding or trouble.

2. Gazette Notification:

After deciding for a name change, you’ll need to publish your new name in a government gazette. This is a valid and a simpler step as compared to the court order. The gazette announcement is official proof of your new name.

3. Apply For Updated Passport:

After getting your gazette notification, you can apply to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) to update your passport with your new name. After verification the Passport department will issue you a new and updated Passport.

Documents Required to Change Your Name on an Passport

To make the name change process smoother, have these documents ready:

• Current Passport: This shows your old name and identity.
• Proof of Address: A recent utility bill or bank statement.
• Date of Birth Proof: Your birth certificate or a similar document showing your correct date of birth.
• Gazette Notification: This is the proof of your new name published in the government gazette.
• PAN Card: Your PAN card helps verify your identity.

Steps for Changing Your Passport Name 

Online Process

If you want to change your passport name online, follow the steps below:

• Create an Account: Go to the Passport Seva website (passportindia.gov.in) and register.
• Fill Out the Form: Log in and fill out the form for a fresh passport or reissue.
• Upload Documents: Scan and upload all the supported documents.
• Pay the Fee: Use the online payment method to pay passport fees.
• Schedule an Appointment: Choose a date and time for your document verification and biometric details at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Passport Office.
• Police will visit your address to verify you, ensure at least two persons are there at the time of police verification.
• Visit the PSK: On your appointment day, take the original documents to the Passport office for verification.

Offline Process for Passport Name Change

If you prefer doing it offline, below is what you need to do:

• Go to the Regional Passport Office.
• Ask for the passport application form for a fresh passport or reissue.
• Complete the form and attach copies of all the required documents.
• Pay the applicable fees at the passport office.
• Wait for the document and police verification process.
• Once verification is done, your new passport will be sent to you.

Getting a Gazette Certificate for Name Change

To get the gazette certificate, you must:

• Submit an application for your name change in the gazette office.
• Attach a name change affidavit, two newspaper ads, and identity documents.
• Pay the fee at the time of application submission.
• Wait for Publication: The gazette notification generally gets published in 3 to 8 weeks.
• Once it gets published, download and follow the steps as explained above.

Important Information You Should Know

• Name Change Processing Time: Changing your passport name can take around 2 to 3 months.
• Fees: You will need to pay fees for the passport renewal, either online or at the designated desk at the Passport office.
• Gazette Notification: You must submit a copy of the gazette notification to prove your legal name change.
• Documents: All required documents are ready to avoid delays.
• Online vs. Offline: Choose whether to apply online or offline, it is recommended to hire our expert name change agent to get your name updated on your passport easily.

How We Can Help You?

If you feel the process is difficult, we can assist you. Our team of legal experts has been helping people change their names on passports for over 10 years. We handle everything from the paperwork to the gazetting process and ensure your new passport gets issued without any hassle. Just send us your documents, pay our service charges, and leave the rest to us. Call us for more details or free advice.

By following the above steps, you’ll be able to change your name on your passport without any issues. Call us to talk to a registered name change agent now!