Name change, name correction or splitting of name can be done in the Indian passport through ‘Miscellaneious Service’ in USA.
While filling the online application, enter the ‘surname’ and ‘given names’ as per the new names you would like to appear in your new passport.
There are various scenarios as described below.
Complete Application Procedure
Name Change
The following scenarios are applicable:
- A person would like to adopt a name different from the name at birth.
E.g., from Ashok Thakkar to Paresh Patel. - A person would like to rearrange the names.
E.g., Ashok Kumar Patil to Ahok Patil Kumar - A person would like to add the last name, middle name or first name
E.g., Ashok Kumar to Ashok Kumar Sharma - A person would like to make spelling corrections.
E.g., Dharmender Singh to Dharmendra Singh
On the ‘Passport Application – Get Started Page‘, under ‘Choose Your Miscellaneous Services‘, you will choose ‘Do you want Change your Name?‘
The following additional documents are required:
- A court order to change your name.
- If you do not have a court order, the following additional documents are required:
- Two original advertisements regarding change of name in two daily newspapers – one in the USA and the other in India – circulated in the area of your permanent residence in India and your present residence in the USA. Submit the original newspaper clippings.
- As least two public/school documents issued in the desired/applied changed name to make sure that the applicant has actucally changed their name.
- The application is accepted only after 30 days of appearance of said notice/ads.
If the applicant carries a passport with a name which is not considered as the applicant’s “real” name, the applicant would still be required to submit newspaper advertisements. Newspaper advertisements are required for a change of name as it appears on the passport even though the previously held name, which appears on other legal documents, is being changed. - Two original advertisements regarding change of name in two daily newspapers – one in the USA and the other in India – circulated in the area of your permanent residence in India and your present residence in the USA. Submit the original newspaper clippings.
Split of Name
If a person’s full name is writtein in the Given Name field, the Surname field is blank on the passport, and the person wants to split his Given Name and add the surname to the Surname field in the passport.
On the ‘Passport Application – Get Started Page‘, under ‘Choose Your Miscellaneous Services‘, you will choose ‘Do you want to Split your Name?‘
The following additional documents are required:
- Duly notarized Sworn Affidavit is required providing old name and new name.
Change of Name – Maiden to Married or Vice Versa
When a person (usually the wife) would like to change the last name from maiden to married, this procedure should be followed. At this time, if the current spouse’s name is not there, it can be added at the same time and the previous spouse’s name, if applicable, can be deleted.
E.g., Rashmi Pandya to Rashmi Vyas.
This procedure is also the same if a person (usually the wife) wants to add the surname of the spouse after the marriage.
E.g., Rashmi Pandya to Rashmi Pandya – Vyas.
Only the last name can be changed using this procedure. If the first name change is also desired, the person would have to go through the complete name change procedure described above.
The same procedure can be followed to change the last name from married to maiden upon divorce or death of spouse.
E.g., Rashmi Vyas to Rashmi Pandya
Rashmi Pandya – Vyas to Rashmi Pandya
At this time, if the current spouse’s name is there, it can be deleted at the same time.
On the Passport Application – Get Started Page, select Marital Status ‘Married’ or ‘Divorced’ as appropriate.
If you would like add spouse name after marriage, or delete spouse name after divorce or death of spouse, you can additionally choose those options as well.
The following additional documents are required:
- Notarized affidavit
- Notarized copy of the first and last page of passport of spouse.
- A joint photograph.
- Notarized copy of marriage certificate or divorce deed duly authenticated by court, as applicable.
- In case of re-married spouse (apply for change of name / spouse name in case of re-marriage after divorce or death of spouse), divorce deed or death certificate, as applicable, with respect to her first spouse should be submitted.
Correction of Parents Name
If you would like to correct parents name as listed in the Indian passport, please submit:
- Birth certificate or school leaving certificate showing correct spelling of parents name
