UIDAI Aadhaar name change rules: How to change name after marriage, fix spelling mistakes, add or remove names and complete the update process

UIDAI has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for updating names in Aadhaar, replacing the earlier procedure issued in 2021. The new SOP was uploaded on September 18, 2026, and sets out how different types of name corrections and changes will be processed, including minor corrections, data-entry errors, marital changes and complete name changes.

The revised procedure works under Regulation 19 of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, along with the prescribed list of acceptable documents.

How to update your name in Aadhaar

Name changes are handled at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. UIDAI’s current process allows demographic updates such as name changes through these centres, while the online myAadhaar service currently supports online address updates rather than online name changes.

Aadhar name change: Step-by-step process

1. Book an appointment at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or locate an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.
2. Fill in the Aadhaar Enrolment/Update form with the revised name in block letters, without titles or aliases.
3. Carry the required original Proof of Identity or other applicable supporting documents, including a Gazette Notification where a major name change is involved.
4. Submit the request at the centre, where the documents will be verified and the update authenticated.
5. Pay the applicable fee and collect the acknowledgement containing the Update Request Number (URN) to track the request. A separate demographic update currently costs Rs 75.

Aadhar card: Minor name changes

The SOP allows several corrections that do not amount to a complete change of identity. These include adding or removing a middle or last name, changing the sequence of names, expanding abbreviations and making phonetically similar spelling corrections.

For example, “Tadi Rama Prasad” can be changed to “Tadi Rama Shyam Prasad”.

The appropriate Proof of Identity (PoI), or applicable Proof of Relationship (PoR) for eligible HoF-based cases involving children, must be submitted.

Data-entry error in Aadhaar

This applies when the name was entered incorrectly in Aadhaar even though the document originally submitted to UIDAI contained the correct name.

For example, if UIDAI’s earlier record shows a misspelled name but the original PoI had the correct spelling, the requested correction can be accepted when the new name matches that earlier document.

Adults must submit the prescribed affidavit along with PoI or PoR, while minors require the applicable minor affidavit with PoI or PoR.

Regional-language error

A separate provision covers cases where the English name is correct but the regional-language version is wrong.

For example, “Nirmal Sinha” may be correctly recorded in English while its regional-language rendering is incorrect.

The prescribed affidavit along with PoI is required.

How to change surname on aadhar card after marriage or divorce

The revised SOP also covers surname changes following marriage or divorce.

For example, “Gita Rai” can be changed to “Gita Siddharth Rai” with the applicable PoI document.

Change of name following gender change

The SOP provides a separate category for a name change following a change of gender.

For example, “Sarita Kumari” can be changed to “Santosh Kumar”, subject to the prescribed supporting document requirements.

Aadhar card name update for children

For children below 18 years whose Aadhaar carries an HoF-based name such as “Baby of”, the name can be changed once the child has an actual name and the required documents are provided.

For example, “Baby of Sudha” can be changed to “Ritu Kumar” using the prescribed PoI.

Removal of titles and prefixes

UIDAI also requires titles, ranks, designations and similar prefixes to be removed from Aadhaar names.

For example, “Dr Ramesh Kumar” would be recorded as “Ramesh Kumar”.

This covers military ranks, professional titles and honorifics such as Shri, Smt, Mr, Ms, Prof and Dr.

Capital letters and dots

Corrections involving random capitalisation or dots are also covered.

For example, “RaMesh” can be corrected to “Ramesh”, while dots can be removed from names such as “R.P. Singh”.

No supporting document is required for these particular corrections.

Removing ‘urf’ or ‘alias’

Names containing “urf” or “alias” must be corrected to remove those terms.

For example, “Jagdish Singh urf Jagga” can be changed to either “Jagdish Singh” or “Jagga”.

The prescribed affidavit and supporting identity or relationship document are required depending on whether the Aadhaar holder is an adult or minor.

Major name change

A complete change of name or a change that indicates a different identity is treated as a Major Name Change.

For example, “Ram Gupta” changing to “Shyam Gupta” would fall into this category.

UIDAI says such a request is liable to be rejected without a Gazette Notification. For a major name change, the Gazette Notification is the key supporting document, along with the required identity proof. UIDAI will also match the new name with previously recorded or updated names and verify the genuineness of submitted documents, affidavits and Gazette Notifications.

What name rules apply in Aadhaar?

UIDAI says Aadhaar names are recorded in block letters and should not include aliases, “urf”, military ranks, designations, service descriptions, awards or decorations. Dots and other special characters are also not permitted.

The revised SOP therefore distinguishes between correcting an existing name and making a substantial change that requires stronger documentary evidence. Routine corrections can be handled with the prescribed supporting documents, while a major change requires a Gazette Notification.

Disclaimer: Aadhaar update rules and procedures may change. Readers should visit the official UIDAI website for the latest information, requirements and fee details.