A few of the many reasons why you’d want to change your name on your passport are marriage, remarriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse. The process of changing just the name from the passport may seem like a big deal, but in reality, it is fairly easy. The process to add your spouse name in passport is similar to the process for the reissue of the passport.
Also Read: Indian Passport for NRI: Renewal vs Reissue
Is It Necessary to Add Spouse Name in Passport After Marriage?
No, it is not at all necessary to add a spouse’s name in the passport after marriage. It’s up to the individual whether to take their spouse’s surname or not.
Yet still, when it comes to delicate matters like visas or passports, it is recommended to add it. The reason is to avoid consequences later, as it does serve as marriage proof. And though there is no obligation to follow the cultural tradition of changing surnames, you’d have to show your marriage certificate every single time you’d want to apply for a visa. So, to stay on a hectic-free side, you may add your spouse’s name in your passport.
How To Add Spouse Name In Passport After Marriage?
You can apply for a passport for change name/addition/deletion of name in the following ways:
- Online Submission
- e-form submission
Now, let’s explore both of the methods!
Online Submission
The process is fairly easy as all you have to do is:
- Go to Passport Seva‘s official website (online portal).
- If you already have an account, log into your account. If not, click on ‘New User Registration’ to create a new account.
- Type in the relevant details on the next page and complete the registration process.
- Use your login credentials to log in to the Passport Seva Online Portal.
- Select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.”
- Fill in all the necessary details. Make sure to add your new name (/surname).
- Double-check all the details and click “Submit.”
- Now, select “Pay & Schedule Appointment” to make an appointment/meeting.
- Complete the payment procedure.
- For an appointment at PSK/POPSK/PO, you can make the payment online only.
- The following online payment methods are supported at the Passport Seva:
- Internet banking
- Debit card
- Credit card
- Select your preferred payment method and pay the fee required.
- Once the fee is successfully paid, you can print the challan/application receipt by selecting “Print Application Receipt.” It is not mandatory to carry a copy of receipt. You can show an SMS with appointment details when you visit the passport office.
e-form submission
The e-form submission is also online, but the difference here is that you can take as much time as you want to fill the form. In the method mentioned above, the whole process will be online, including filling in details, while the e-form allows you to fill the application form offline.
This is how to make an e-form submission:
- Go to the official PSK website and download the application form in XML format.
- Fill in the document with all the necessary details. Don’t forget to mention your new name.
- Go back to the website; log into your account.
- Upload the XML application file.
- Now, select “Pay & Schedule Appointment” to make an appointment/meeting.
- Select your preferred payment method and pay the fee required.
- After the fee is successfully paid, you can print the challan/application receipt by selecting “Print Application Receipt.”
The receipt contains your appointment number and appointment reference number.
What to do After Submitting the Application Form & Paying Fee?
Once you have submitted the application form and the fee, the next step is to visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO), where your appointment has been scheduled, together with your original papers.
You will soon receive an SMS containing the meeting information following your online or offline submission. On the day of the scheduled meeting/appointment, take all the original documents to your local passport office to collect your new passport with the changed name/spouse’s name added/deleted.
Documents Required for Adding Spouse Name in Passport
Passport Seva addresses the following cases regarding the addition of the spouse’s name in the passport:
- Change of Name (after marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of spouse)
- Addition/Deletion of the Spouse’s Name (due to marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of spouse)
As stated earlier, there is no pressure on any individual to keep their full name after marriage. However, they can also:
- Hyphenate the original name with the spouse’s name
- Add the spouse’s last name as their surname
- Create an entirely new name
A hyphenated name is when the couple combines both of their surnames with a hyphen. Adding a spouse’s last name means changing your surname to your spouse’s. And creating an entirely new name is when you wish to change both your first and last name subsequent to marriage/remarriage/divorcee/death of a spouse). You can also change your last name to anything different from your spouse’s. As long as all these changes are done legally, there should be no problem applying or getting a passport.
Change of Name
Now, let’s see what you’d have to do if you want to change your name after marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of a spouse:
- You are supposed to apply for a new passport (re-issue) if you plan on changing your name due to marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of a spouse.
- Proof of reason is mandatory: you are required to attach any of these:
- Changing name subsequent to marriage/remarriage:
- The original marriage certificate
- Self-attested photocopies of your spouse’s passports
- Changing name subsequent to a divorce:
- A divorce decree (authenticated by the court)
- Changing name subsequent to spouse’s death:
- A copy of the spouse’s death certificate
- Changing your name/surname subsequent to remarriage:
- A divorce decree/death certificate of the first spouse
- A marriage certificate with the current/second spouse (authenticated from the Registrar of Marriages)
- Current spouse’s passport photocopy
- Changing name subsequent to marriage/remarriage:
Also, the following things are required:
- Prescribed Deed Poll
- The applicant must provide a sworn affidavit(s) stating the basis for the name change.
- Original newspaper cuttings notifying the name change event published in two influential daily newspapers (both in the present and permanent residence areas); the news should be published in local and Indian newspapers.
Addition/Deletion of Spouse Name
If you want to add/delete your spouse’s name subsequent to marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of a spouse, then the following is required:
- You are supposed to apply for a new passport (re-issue) if you plan on adding/deleting your name due to marriage/remarriage/divorce/death of a spouse.
- Proof of reason is mandatory: you are required to attach any of these:
- Changing name subsequent to marriage/remarriage:
- The original marriage certificate, together with a photocopy
- Self-attested photocopies of your spouse’s passports
- Changing name subsequent to a divorce:
- A divorce decree (authenticated by the court)
- Changing name subsequent to spouse’s death:
- A copy of the spouse’s death certificate
- Changing your name/surname subsequent to remarriage:
- A divorce decree/death certificate of the first spouse
- A marriage certificate with the current/second spouse (authenticated from the Registrar of Marriages)
- Current spouse’s passport photocopy
- Changing name subsequent to marriage/remarriage:
What Is The Fee Of Adding Spouse Name In Passport In India?
With the advent of the digital world, everything has become more accessible, including knowing how much fees you’ll be paying for an Indian passport if you want to add your spouse’s name. You can calculate the required charges for a passport with the calculating fee service offered by Passport Seva; else, we’ve already done all the homework for you!
Service Type: Re-issue
Applicant’s Age: 18 Years & Above
Service Reason: Delete ECR/Change In Personal Particular
Number of Pages in Booklet: 36
- For Normal Passport: 1500 INR
- For Tatkal Passport: 3500 INR
Number of Pages in Booklet: 60
- For Normal Passport: 2000 INR
- For Tatkal Passport: 4000 INR
It must be noted that a Tatkal passport differs from a normal passport as its verifications process is quick and relatively faster. Unlike a normal passport which may take 30-45 days, a tatkal passport is typically dispatched within 1-3 days of submitting the application form. However, at the same time, a tatkal passport also costs more than a normal passport.
How To Add Spouse Name in Passport Without Marriage Certificate in India?
Adding an original marriage certificate serves as proof for your name change application. It is also considered a key element in the verification process if you plan on changing your name/adding/deleting a spouse’s name from your passport. However, if in the case you are unable to provide a marriage certificate, you can proceed without it given both you and your spouse are Indian.
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