NRI Passport Services
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), updating a passport to reflect surname changes—whether due to marriage, divorce, remarriage, or other life events—is a common requirement. At Legal Light Consulting, we specialise in navigating these processes to ensure compliance with Indian passport guidelines while minimising delays.
Change/Addition of Surname – A Guide for Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), updating a passport to reflect changes in surname—whether due to marriage, divorce, remarriage, or other life events—is a common requirement. At Legal Light Consulting, we specialize in navigating these processes to ensure compliance with Indian passport guidelines while minimizing delays.
This article outlines the procedures for minor name changes, focusing on surname alterations, and provides essential documentation based on official protocols. Understanding these rules helps NRIs maintain accurate travel documents without unnecessary complications.
Minor Name Changes: Change/Addition of Surname
Minor name changes, such as altering or adding a surname, are treated differently from complete name changes. These include:
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Change/addition of surname due to marriage/divorce, death of spouse, or remarriage.
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Change/addition of surname from childhood to adulthood.
- Splitting of name into given name and surname.
For these cases, applicants need only submit documentary proof to justify the change, such as evidence of the spouse’s or parent’s name. This avoids the full procedure required for substantial name changes (as outlined in para 3.2 of passport guidelines), streamlining the process for NRIs.
Procedures for Specific Scenarios
Following Marriage, Divorce, or Remarriage
Women applying for a first-time passport in their married name or requesting a name/surname change in an existing passport after marriage must provide:
- An attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages; OR a notarized joint photo affidavit signed by both husband and wife (Annexure ‘D’ of Appendix 1).
- A photocopy of the husband’s passport, if any.
- A Deed Poll or Sworn Affidavit regarding the change of name (Annexure ‘E’ of Appendix-1). Note: This is not required for simply substituting a maiden surname with the husband’s surname.
Important Note on Marriage Registration:
Due to rising matrimonial disputes, the Supreme Court directed in February 2006 that marriage registration should be made compulsory. Consequently, states like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu require a Marriage Certificate for passports if the marriage occurred after the enactment of relevant laws.
Additionally, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, mandate registration for Christian and Parsi marriages, respectively.
Separated/Divorces/Widowers
Applicants who married but separated (without divorce) before applying for a fresh or reissued passport, and wish to use their maiden name while omitting the spouse’s name, must furnish an affidavit in the form of Annexure ‘K’, sworn before a Judicial Magistrate, First Class Judicial Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate.
Divorcees or widowers seeking a name change must provide:
- A certified copy of the Divorce Decree/Court order; or a Divorce Certificate from Jama-at/Qazi (for Muslims, in accordance with Personal Law).
- A Death Certificate (in case of a deceased spouse).
- A Deed Poll/Sworn Affidavit regarding the change of name (Annexure ‘E’ of Appendix-1).
Remarried Applicants
For those applying to change their own name or the spouse’s name after remarriage:
- Documents as applicable from the separated/divorcee/widower section above.
- An attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages or a joint affidavit signed by both husband and wife with a joint photo affixed (a modified version of Annexure “D”).
- A photocopy of the current spouse’s passport, if any.
Divorced or widowed applicants wishing to delete the spouse’s name must provide the divorce judgment, proper talaqnama (for Muslims), or death certificate of the deceased spouse.
At Legal Light Consulting, we assist NRIs in gathering these documents and ensuring they meet passport authority requirements, helping you avoid rejections and expedite approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on common inquiries from our NRI clients, here are answers to key questions about surname changes for passport services:
Q1: What constitutes a minor name change for surname addition or change?
Ans: Minor changes include adding or changing a surname due to marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, remarriage, transitions from childhood to adulthood, or splitting a name into given name and surname. These require only documentary proof, not the full procedure for complete name changes.
Q2: Do I need a Deed Poll for substituting my maiden surname with my husband’s after marriage?
Ans: No, a Deed Poll or Sworn Affidavit is not required for simply substituting a maiden surname with the husband’s surname. However, you must provide an attested marriage certificate or joint affidavit, and a photocopy of the husband’s passport if applicable.
Q3: Is marriage registration mandatory for passport name changes in all states?
Ans: Not in all states, but it is compulsory in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu if the marriage occurred after the enactment of relevant laws. Additionally, Christian and Parsi marriages require registration under specific acts.
Q4: What documents do separated (but not divorced) applicants need to revert to their maiden name?
Ans: You must furnish an affidavit in the form of Annexure ‘K’, sworn before a Judicial Magistrate, First Class Judicial Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate, to omit the spouse’s name and use your maiden name.
Q5: For remarried applicants, what proof is needed to change or delete a previous spouse’s name?
Ans: Provide documents like a divorce decree, talaqnama, or death certificate for the previous spouse, along with the new marriage certificate or joint affidavit, and a photocopy of the current spouse’s passport.
For personalised guidance on NRI passport surname changes or related services, contact Legal Light Consulting. Our experts are ready to help you navigate these processes efficiently. Schedule a consultation today!
