New Aadhaar name correction rules: How to change your name in Aadhaar; what is not allowed; and documents required

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for updating the name of an Aadhaar number holder. The revised procedure replaces the earlier process for name updates under the exception handling process.

The new SOP sets out the different situations in which a name can be updated in Aadhaar and the documents required for each type of request.

As per a UIDAI circular issued on September 18, 2026, “In supersession of the name update process as described in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Name & Gender Update Request under Exception Handling Process issued vide F.no. HQ 16022/2/2020-EU-I-HQ-Part(1) on October 28, 2021, a revised SOP (along with Annexures) is being issued to be followed for carrying out the update of name in Aadhaar by an Aadhaar number holder.”

What does the Aadhaar name update SOP say?

At the time of Aadhaar enrolment, details such as name, date of birth, gender and address are recorded based on the documents submitted by the Aadhaar number holder.

The name in Aadhaar is recorded in block letters. Alias or 'urf', prefixes, military ranks, designations, service details and awards or decorations are not permitted in the name. Dots and other special characters are also not allowed.

When can you update your name in an Aadhaar card?

An Aadhaar number holder may need to correct or update the name recorded in Aadhaar for several reasons. The name update request has to be supported by the relevant documents prescribed under the new Aadhaar regulations.

The name will be updated according to the spelling, sequence, and abbreviation mentioned in the document submitted by the Aadhaar number holder.

The UIDAI has provided an indicative list of different situations in which a name update may be requested.

What are minor name changes in an Aadhaar card?

A minor name change generally involves a correction or modification that does not result in a complete change of the person's identity.

The following situations are covered under minor name changes:

• Expanding an abbreviation in the name
• Abbreviating the name to initials
• Addition or deletion of middle name(s)
• Addition or deletion of the last name
• Change in the sequence of the name

Minor correction in the English spelling of the name, where the name remains phonetically similar

The documents required will depend on the nature of the correction and the applicable case. However, Proof of Identity (PoI)/Applicable Proof of Relationship (PoR) in cases of the Head of Family (HoF)-based name update for children below 18 years of age can be kept handy.

Data entry error in Aadhaar name

There may be a case when a name may also have been incorrectly entered in Aadhaar even though the document submitted at the time of enrolment or update carried the correct name.

For adults, the documents required in such cases are:

Affidavit as prescribed in Annexure B

Proof of identity (PoI) or proof of relationship (PoR)

For minors, the documents required are:

Affidavit as prescribed in Annexure C

Proof of identity (PoI) or applicable proof of relationship (PoR)

What if the name is correct in English but wrong in the regional language?

There will be some cases where your English name in Aadhaar is correct and in the regional language, it is incorrect. Such cases are also covered under the name update process and can be corrected according to the applicable procedure. A document such as the PoI can be kept handy.

Special cases for Aadhaar name update

The SOP also covers certain special situations where a name needs to be modified. These include:

Change of surname of a woman after marriage or divorce- a document such as an affidavit (Annexure D) and PoI should be submitted

Change of name following a change of gender- PoI should be submitted

Head of Family (HoF)-based name update for a child- Applicable proof of identity (PoI) should be submitted

Dropping of ranks, designations and other prefixes from the name- Applicable proof of identity (PoI) should be submitted

Correction of randomly occurring capital letters in the name- No documents required.

Removal of dots from the name- No documents required.

Removal of 'urf' or 'alias' from a name recorded in Aadhaar- Affidavit (Annexure E) & Pol should be submitted

For names recorded with 'urf' or 'alias', the update involves removing these terms from the Aadhaar name.

What is a major name change in Aadhaar?

A major name change refers to a complete change of name or a change that amounts to a change in the identity of the Aadhaar number holder.

Such a request is liable to be rejected if it is not supported by a gazette notification for the name change.

For a major name change, the required PoI document must be accompanied by the gazette notification relating to the name change.

The genuineness of the documents submitted for the update will also be verified. This includes PoI, PoR, affidavits and gazette notifications, wherever applicable.