How to Correct Name in Marriage Certificate for Passport – Full Detailed Guide

A Marriage Certificate is one of the most important documents for updating your passport. If your name or your spouse’s name is entered incorrectly on the certificate, the Passport Office will not approve the application and may even issue an objection letter.

Common errors include:

• Spelling mistakes

• Missing initials

• Wrong surname

• Pre-marriage name vs post-marriage name mismatch

• Typing or printing errors

• Parent name or DOB wrong

To avoid delays, you must correct your Marriage Certificate before applying for a passport. Below is the step-by-step, complete, and updated procedure.

1. Why Name Correction in Marriage Certificate Is Required for Passport?

The Passport Office verifies your marital status and spouse details directly from your Marriage Certificate.
If the name does not match your identity proofs, the system shows data mismatch, leading to:

• Application kept on hold

• Objection raised during document review

• Police verification failure

• File going into pending status

• Passport rejection

Hence, correcting your name on the Marriage Certificate is mandatory for smooth passport processing.

2. Types of Name Errors in Marriage Certificates

These are the most common errors that require correction:

A. Spelling Errors

Small spelling variations or incorrect letters.

B. Wrong or Missing Surname

Surname mismatch between Aadhaar, PAN, and Marriage Certificate.

C. Pre-marriage Name vs Post-marriage Name Conflict

Especially for women where the certificate shows post-marriage name, but other documents still have the maiden name.

D. Typographical or Clerical Errors

Incorrect initials, spacing errors, incomplete names, etc.

E. Wrong Parent Name / Wrong DOB

These must be corrected before using the certificate for passport purposes.

3. Who Is Authorized to Correct a Marriage Certificate?

The correction can only be done by the authority that issued your Marriage Certificate, such as:

• SDM / ADM Office

• Marriage Registrar / Marriage Officer

• Municipal Corporation Office

• Nagar Parishad / Panchayat Office

• Registrar under Hindu Marriage Act or Special Marriage Act

The rules are similar across India, but timelines vary from state to state.

4. Required Documents for Name Correction in Marriage Certificate

You will need to submit the following:

1. Original Marriage Certificate

The certificate containing the incorrect name.

2. Identity Proof of Both Spouses

• Aadhaar Card

• PAN Card

• Passport (if available)

• Voter ID

3. Proof Showing the Correct Name

Any document where your correct name is officially recorded:

• Birth Certificate

• School Marksheet / Degree

• Aadhaar Card (with correct name)

• Passport

• Driving Licence

• Gazette Notification (if major name change)

4. Joint Affidavit

A legally sworn statement by both husband and wife declaring:

• What the error is

• What the correct name should be

• That the error was clerical/accidental

• Mutual consent for correction

5. Application Form for Name Correction

Provided by the Registrar office.

6. Passport-size Photos

Of both husband and wife.

7. Supporting Documents (if required)

• Wedding photos

• Witness IDs

• Marriage registration slip

5. Step-by-Step Process to Correct Name in Marriage Certificate

Step 1 — Identify the Error & Collect Correct Documents

Understand whether the mistake is spelling, surname, initials, or pre-/post-marriage name.
Collect your correct identity proofs and supporting documents.

Step 2 — Prepare a Joint Affidavit

A joint affidavit is required, stating:

• The mistake mentioned in the certificate

• The correct name

• That the error occurred unintentionally

• Both spouses agree to correction

This affidavit must be notarized or attested by a First-Class Magistrate.

Step 3 — Submit Application to the Registrar / SDM

You need to submit:

• Original certificate

• Joint affidavit

• Correct name proofs

• Identity proofs

• Correction application form

The officer will verify your details from the original marriage register.

Step 4 — Verification by Registrar

The Marriage Registrar will:

• Verify the marriage records

• Check spouse identities

• Confirm affidavit declaration

• Verify supporting documents

If all documents match, the correction is approved.

Step 5 — Issuance of Corrected Marriage Certificate

After verification:

• The old certificate is stamped as cancelled

• A new corrected Marriage Certificate is printed

• The correction entry is recorded in the marriage register

This corrected certificate is fully valid for passport use.

Step 6 — Update Your Passport Application

Use the corrected certificate while applying for/renewing your passport.
This helps avoid objections or verification delays.

6. Time Required for Correction

Average time varies by state:

Total expected time: 7–20 days

7. Fees for Name Correction in Marriage Certificate

Approximate charges:

• Correction Fee: ₹100 – ₹1000

• Notary Affidavit: ₹50 – ₹150

• New certificate printing: ₹50 – ₹200

• Gazette Notification (if required): ₹900 – ₹1100

Charges vary depending on your state and issuing authority.

8. When Is Gazette Notification Required?

A Gazette Notification is needed ONLY when:

• Full name change

• Surname change

• Major spelling restructuring

• Pre-marriage vs post-marriage name mismatch

• Identity proof mismatch in all documents

Minor spelling errors do not require Gazette in most states.

9. Common Reasons for Passport Rejection Due to Marriage Certificate Errors

Passport applications are commonly rejected because:

• Spouse name incorrectly written

• Surname mismatch

• Maiden name vs married name mismatch

• Typing mistakes in certificate

• Wrong initials

• Supporting documents do not match

• Gazette not provided (if required)

Correcting the certificate before applying eliminates these issues.

10. Conclusion

A name mismatch in your Marriage Certificate can stop your passport application and cause unnecessary delays.
The correction process is simple: prepare a joint affidavit, collect correct documents, submit the application to your Marriage Registrar, and obtain a corrected certificate. With the updated certificate, your passport application will proceed smoothly without objections.

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