Passport Name Change After Marriage

Introduction

After getting married, changing one's name is a big choice that usually involves a lot of paperwork. Updating one's passport is one of these important tasks that needs to be done carefully and according to certain protocols. After marriage, changing one's passport name requires negotiating bureaucratic formalities and making sure all legal documents are correct and current. After getting married, a lot of people decide to take on their spouse's last name or go with a hyphenated form that combines both names. Obtaining a certified copy of the marriage certificate is the first step, regardless of the decision made. This document is necessary to update many official records, such as the passport, and acts as evidence of the name change.

After obtaining the marriage document, the next step is to carefully note the intended name change on the passport application form. The application must be submitted with supporting evidence, such as a current passport, the original or certified copy of the marriage certificate, and passport pictures that match the requirements. Furthermore, candidates could be required to submit documents verifying their identification and citizenship, including a social security card, driver's license, or birth certificate. These records aid in establishing the applicant's identification and eligibility for a name change on their passport.

The application and any required supporting documentation must be compiled and submitted to the relevant passport office or agency. This might entail sending the paperwork or making an in-person appointment, depending on the jurisdiction. It's imperative that you heed the directions given by the passport office and fulfil any deadlines or criteria. The length of time it takes to complete a passport name change after application varies based on the applicant's location and the passport agency's current demand. In most cases, applicants may anticipate receiving their revised passport in a matter of weeks to months.

Understanding the Importance of Passport Name Change Post Marriage

Along with being one of the main documents of identification, a passport proves to be evidence of one's citizenship, hence, it is of great importance to maintain the accuracy and completeness of the information in that document. Once married, individuals can either adopt the spouse's name, hyphenate their names or can work on other options. Even if you choose to keep your name the way it is, make sure to update your passport with the new name. Such a change will be necessary to present a unified picture across all the official documents and will help to avoid any problems that may crop up during traveling or legal cases.

Documents Required for Passport Name Change After Marriage

Naming one's passport as per Indian government norms for the domestic travel during marriage is a systematic process that includes a few changes. Here's an overview of the required documents:

1. Marriage Certificate: The initial step and a thing of great importance is the requirement of a marriage certificate which is a must for the matter of a passport name change after marriage. The certificate is the document which conveys legality of the marriage and helps in name change confirmation. There also need to be a choice of the appropriate body, like Marriages Officers, to be conducting the registration.
2. Passport Application Form: The Passport Seva portal of the official website (https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in) can be accessed to get the passport application form. List the personal details correctly; in the application, you should note the name change that stems from marriage.
3. Passport Sized Photos: Give a passport sized photograph that fits into the recent passport specification indicated on the passport authorities. Photos should be clear and have a white background and must meet the size specified.
4. Address Proof: If you live with us you must first submit a document that is a residential address. For instance, these could be a utility bill, Aadhaar, voter ID card or just any other document approved by the Seva Kendra.
5. Identity Proof: Give identification form, if needed. Any one of the above documents viz. Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID card or any other government issuance proof of identity can be accepted.
6. Marriage Affidavit: In the event that a marriage official affidavit applies. This Acknowledgement is serving the purpose of reminding you that you are changing your name on the passport due to marriage. Legal The documents must be notarized as part of the rest of the documents.
7. Old Passport: In addition, include your current passport if you already hold the passport. Our passport would be canceled, and the new one would be given with the name change indicated on it.
8. Fee Payment: Pay for passport reissue as per Passport Seva website. The charges of the Tatkal or normal passports and the number of pages required may vary.

India Passport Name Change Affidavit

First of all, the first step to a name change in an Indian passport is to take it through a legal procedure by publishing the new name in the Indian Gazette.

Most often, in the case of a name alteration by the Central Gazette, the individual concerned is required to draw up an affidavit before the name change process can commence. An attestation letter has to cover your legal former name by why you change your legal name, and your permanent address by mail. This shall be executed on stamp paper and attested by two witnesses as well. When this name change affidavit is filed, your new name will be published in the Gazette. It is necessary to preserve copies of such a publication for later use.

Moreover, a notification has to be published in two well-known daily newspapers where the name change publishing takes place. In an ideal case, one ad should be in English and the other in the native language. Therefore, these newspaper notices will become a means through which the community, in which you have intention of receiving a highly acknowledged name change, receive information about your new name.

Having completed all the mandatory requirements, you can continue to the next step of applying for the renewal of your Indian passport with the updated name.

Procedure for Name Change on Passport After Marriage

Step 1: Gather all the documents: The first step is accumulating all these mentioned vital documents that are needed for name change after marriage. Get the marriage certificate and identity proof from the representative of the Registrar of Marriage, proof of address and of current address.

Step 2: Complete the form: Login to (http://www.passportindia.gov.in) and then peruse through Miscellaneous Services page, where you will find Form II. Please fill in the application form and to do that, attach the documents.

Step 3: Making an Appointment: After writing the application form you need to make a prior appointment to attend the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Passport Seva Laghu Kendra (PSLK). The program is available on a website maintained by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to enable attendance without having to be there physically. At the time of booking your appointment, you should select "Reissue of Passport" together with the comment that you need a new passport because the surname of your spouse has changed. Select the PSK version.

Step 4: Appointment at PSK: At your appointment location which could be PSK for larger centers or PSLK for satellite centers, you will have your biometric and other records collected. Check to ensure that you have everything that is necessary and carry it with you.

Fees and Charges for Passport Name Change After Marriage

1. Passport Application Fee: The standard passport application fee is made in accordance with the decree for name change after marriage. This fee may be different depending on the applicant's age, whether they are an adult or a minor, and the number of pages they require in their passport booklet (36 pages or 60 pages).
2. Tatkal Fee (Optional): The applicant can choose the time frame by selecting immediate processing of their passport application as per their convenience if they are keen on expedited service. 
3. Service Charge: The Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and passport office are the main channels that applicants will use to advance with their passport applications, and in addition they may pay a service charge and the application fee. This is solely for the support of the government agency that scrutinizes the application and is in operation at the PSK.
4. Miscellaneous Charges: You may have extra charges for some additional services such as sending SMS updates, or delivery of passports. These charges are most likely additional and may also vary in price based on what the application is looking for.

One needs to have the latest form, fee details and participating documentation on the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs or on the Passport Seva portal before the application is submitted. Likewise, applicants should note any new updates or any changes in the passport application process, as well as the receiving personal documents that will be specified by procedure of a name change after marriage.

The cost to change the name on the passport is Rs. 2000 for a sixty-page passport and 1500 for a thirty-six-page passport with a 10-year validity. If you are opting for the Tatkal services you need to pay Rs 2000 over the passport amount. 

Estimated Time Required for Passport Name Change After Marriage

The actual time needed for the change of the name on Indian passport post-marriage might take varying time based on a number of reasons such as the individual's place of residence, a lot of work which needs to be done at a passport office and whether the application is being submitted under regular processing or expedited (Tatkal) processing. While exact timelines may fluctuate, here's a general overview of the typical processing times:

1. Regular Processing: The time frame for the name change in passport application appealed by an Indian citizen after the marriage is generally between a few weeks to one to3 months of the date of the application submission. This processing includes applications approval and documents examination, including issuance of a new passport.
2. Tatkal Processing: For the ones in hurry, Tatkal gets them by quickly, making their process faster. Tatkal processing is the fastest corridor of the passport authority. Therefore, the approximate time for a name change on a passport after marriage is considerably less. Passports, thus issued within one to three weeks from the date of application submission are the usual case here. While it is possible to book Tatkal reservations without any service charges, these tickets cost more than their regular counterparts. This is an additional expense one has to bear.
3. Online Application vs. Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Appointment: Another factor that affects the length of time a credit card charge is processed is the method of application used. Filing online Passport application through the Passport Seva website and therefore booking an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) may help though somebody to have limited challenges rather than having to bring a paper application through traditional means.
4. Document Verification and Police Verification: Next up, there are other stages to undergo including document checking and verification, as well as police verification, which often applies to first-time passport applications or claims that are vindicated. Time intervals for these verifications may change depending on the subject's background as well as the authority's performance or capability.
5. Communication and Updates: All the way through, one can always find online the status of their passport application on the Passport Seva portal or by telephoning the paired passport office.

Why Choose Lawtendo

Lawtendo stands as a steadfast ally in navigating the complexities of name change in passport post marriage in our country. Also, Lawtendo offers unparalleled convenience and assurance throughout your Passport Name change journey.

With Lawtendo, you benefit from a seamless application process backed by authoritative guidance. Our platform streamlines the procedure by providing tailored suggestions on the requisite documentation, ensuring a smooth transition from your previous name to the new one in your Indian Passport after your marriage. By simplifying the process into manageable steps, our experts offer invaluable advice at every juncture, alleviating any anxieties associated with the Passport name change process. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, change of the name on the passport after marriage is a significant bureaucratic procedure which must be executed with the maximum degree of accuracy and being paid a lot of attention to details and requirements. However, the exact time length and clear-cut description will depend on some factors like wearing positions and the procedure itself of the process. But it would be within this period that the process takes anything between one month and six weeks. By the provisions of required documents and the good handling with the application, the applicant will accurately fill up all the details necessary for the application process. New passport details concerning the changed name of spouse will be provided alongside the new marital status together with the completed application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the documents required for passport name change after marriage in India?

Ans: 

1. Certified copy of the marriage certificate.
2. Current passport.
3. Extending and confirming citizenship as well as the identity.
4. Passport application form.

Q2. How much time does it take for revising the name on a passport after marriage in India?

Ans: Time variations may exist but they usually fall within 2-3 weeks of ordinary processing. Tatkal (Expedited processing) takes 1 to 3 weeks for the processing.

Q3. Can I change my passport name online after marriage?

Ans: Yes, you can have your passport name changed online applying at the Passport Seva portal and in the meantime, book an appointment with the Passport Seva Kendra for the document verification.

Q4. Will an extra fee be charged for changing the passport name after marriage?

Ans: Indeed, there are standard fee application charges for passport services. Other charges can also be preferred such as charges for the enabled Tatkal facility (expedited processing) or optional services such as SMS updates or the delivery of the passport.