Gazette notification required to change full name in Aadhaar:Name errors on Aadhaar can be corrected without documents; know the complete process

If the spelling of your name on your Aadhaar card is incorrect, you want to change your surname after marriage or want to change your entire name, the rules have now changed. UIDAI, the organisation that issues Aadhaar, has recently implemented new rules for correcting and changing names. Under the new rules, separate government documents, forms or affidavits will have to be submitted for each type of change. A single document will not be sufficient for all purposes. To prevent fraud, UIDAI will scrutinise all submitted documents closely. Understand the rules for five types of name changes… One. Documents required for minor spelling corrections Correcting minor spelling mistakes in a name, adding or removing a middle or last name, and changing the order of a name will be considered a ‘minor name change’ (for example, changing Ram to Rama). Only one valid identity document will be required for this. For children under 18, proof of relationship based on the head of the family’s Aadhaar will also remain valid. Two. Correcting an operator’s mistake (data-entry error) If your documents were correct but your name was entered incorrectly in Aadhaar due to an operator’s mistake, you will need to submit an affidavit to correct it. For adults, proof of identity or relationship must be submitted along with the Annexure B form, while for children, the Annexure C form must be submitted. Keep in mind that the new name must match your previously submitted documents; otherwise, the request may be rejected. 3. Changing the surname after marriage or divorce To change your surname after marriage or divorce, you must submit an affidavit in Annexure D along with an identity document. It must clearly state that the change is being made solely because of the marriage or divorce. Alternatively, a registered marriage certificate will also be accepted. An identity document must also be submitted to change the name after a gender change. 4. These errors can be corrected without documents No document will be required to correct random capitalisation in a name, such as changing ‘RaMesh’ to ‘Ramesh’, or to remove dots from a name. However, an affidavit will be required to choose one name from names containing ‘alias’ or ‘also known as’-Annexure E for adults and Annexure F for children. Adding a military rank or designation to Aadhaar is not permitted. Gazette notification required to change full name If you are changing your full name or making a change that alters your identity, it will be treated as a ‘major name change’. A Gazette notification from the Central or state government and an identity card will be mandatory for this. UIDAI will update it only after comparing the new name with the old records and verifying the documents.