How to Correct Name in a Birth Certificate for Passport
A birth certificate is the primary proof of identity and date of birth for a passport. If the name on your birth certificate is incorrect, incomplete, misspelled, or entirely different from your current legal name, the Passport Office may put your application on hold or even reject it.
This guide explains why correction is necessary, how to legally correct your name, the documents required, and the complete process to obtain a corrected birth certificate that is fully acceptable for passport issuance.
1. Why Name Correction in the Birth Certificate Is Essential for Passport
When you apply for a passport, the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) verifies your details with your foundational identity documents:
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Birth Certificate
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Aadhaar Card
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School Records (if applicable)
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Supporting identity proofs
If the name in the birth certificate does not match your other identity documents, the system flags a mismatch.
For international travel, the passport must contain your exact legal and correct name, as this name becomes part of global immigration records.
Common issues that require correction:
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Spelling errors (e.g., "Karan" printed as "Karaan")
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Missing surname or incorrect surname
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Name changed after marriage but birth certificate still shows old name
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Name printed as initials only
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Parents’ name mismatch
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Completely wrong name due to hospital/clerical error
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Birth certificate issued without a name (blank name)
To avoid delays, objections, or application rejection, correcting your birth certificate is the mandatory first step.
2. Types of Name Corrections in Birth Certificate
Before applying, identify which type of correction applies to your case:
A. Minor Corrections
These are simple clerical or spelling mistakes such as:
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One or two letter corrections
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Typographical errors
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Incorrect sequence of first name/surname
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Missing surname
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Minor correction in parents' names
These corrections usually require basic documentary proof.
B. Major Corrections
Major corrections involve identity-related changes, such as:
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Complete name change
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Adding/removing/changing surname
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Incorrect parent’s name
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Birth certificate issued without any name (name to be updated later)
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Change in name after marriage for women
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Any change not matching the hospital record
For major corrections, you will need:
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A legally valid affidavit
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Supporting institutional records
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In some states, newspaper publication or Gazette notification
3. Documents Required for Correcting Name in Birth Certificate for Passport
The documents vary depending on whether your correction is minor or major.
✔ A. Documents for Minor Name Corrections
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Original Birth Certificate (to be corrected)
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Application for Correction (issued by Registrar/Municipal Office)
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Aadhaar Card of parents
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Self-attested ID proof of the applicant
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Hospital birth record (if available)
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School Admission Record (if child is above 5 years)
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Ration Card / Family ID (optional but helpful)
✔ B. Documents for Major Name Corrections
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Affidavit issued by First Class Judicial Magistrate
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Declaration from parents
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Hospital Birth Record or Register entry
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School record (if applicable)
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Aadhaar Card of applicant + parents
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Old copy of birth certificate
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Proof of residence of parents at the time of birth
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Marriage Certificate (for post-marriage name update)
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Newspaper publication or Gazette copy (if required by state law)
Note: Some states require Gazette notification for any major change.
4. Step-by-Step Process to Correct Your Name in Birth Certificate for Passport
Below is a professional and detailed workflow followed across most Indian states.
Step 1: Identify the Correct Issuing Authority
Your correction request will be accepted only by the authority that originally issued the certificate:
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Municipal Corporation / Municipal Council (urban areas)
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Nagar Panchayat
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Gram Panchayat or Village Registrar (rural areas)
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State Chief Registrar of Births & Deaths (for escalated cases)
Passport Office will not correct or modify the birth certificate.
It must be corrected at the issuing authority only.
Step 2: File an Application for Name Correction
Obtain the Birth Certificate Correction Form from:
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The Municipal Office
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Online state portal (if available)
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Local Registrar Office
Fill the form with accurate details, including:
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Name printed incorrectly
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Correct name to be updated
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Date and place of birth
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Parent’s details
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Reason for correction
Attach all relevant supporting documents.
Step 3: Prepare and Submit Proof Documents
Depending on the correction type, submit the appropriate documents:
For minor corrections:
Submit identity documents and hospital/school records.
For major corrections:
Submit affidavit + supporting evidence + declaration + newspaper/Gazette (if demanded).
Affidavit content generally includes:
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Incorrect name printed on the certificate
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Correct and legally valid name
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Reason for correction
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Parent or applicant’s declaration affirming the change
This affidavit becomes the legal basis for updating the birth register.
Step 4: Verification by the Registrar
The Registrar verifies the information from:
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Hospital birth register
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School records (if applicable)
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Parents’ ID proofs
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Existing government records
For complex cases, field verification may also be conducted.
Verification time usually takes 7–21 working days, depending on the state.
Step 5: Approval and Issuance of Corrected Birth Certificate
After verification:
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The entry in the Birth Register will be officially corrected
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A new updated birth certificate is issued
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The corrected record becomes the official and legally valid entry
This corrected certificate is now fully acceptable for passport application, visa processes, and international documentation.
5. Passport Office Rules for Birth Certificate Name Corrections
Passport authorities follow strict matching criteria.
Your corrected birth certificate should exactly match:
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Aadhaar
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School Certificate (if applicable)
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Gazette (if name has been changed legally)
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Other identity proofs
If major name change is involved, the Passport Office may additionally ask for:
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Gazette notification
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Court affidavit
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Marriage certificate (in case of marital name change)
Ensuring full consistency helps avoid delays or objections.
6. Processing Time & Fees
Timelines differ across states, but the general average is:
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Minor Correction: 7–15 days
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Major Correction: 15–30 days
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Fee: ₹30 to ₹500 (varies by district/state)
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Gazette Notification: Additional fee (₹1,000–₹3,000 depending on type)
Urgent cases may take longer if verification is required from multiple institutions.
7. Common Reasons for Passport Rejection Related to Birth Certificate Name Issues
Your passport may get delayed or rejected if:
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Name mismatch between documents
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Father’s name or mother’s name mismatch
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Missing surname
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Birth certificate issued without a name
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No affidavit for major correction
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Gazette copy not submitted (when required)
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Incorrect or incomplete supporting documents
Solution:
Ensure the corrected birth certificate matches your updated Aadhaar and school records before applying for passport.
8. Final Conclusion
Correcting the name on your birth certificate before applying for a passport is not just a formality—it's a legal requirement.
A consistent and accurate name across all your identity documents ensures:
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Smooth passport issuance
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No objections during verification
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No future issues during visa stamping or international travel
Whether the correction is minor or major, following the correct legal process and providing complete documentation will ensure your birth certificate is updated without delays.
Once corrected, you can confidently apply for your passport with the assurance that your documentation matches international identification standards.
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