Changing name in Aadhar card will no longer be easy: UIDAI has tightened the rules, you will get the chance only twice; Know the complete process of new guidelines and gazette notification

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has completely curbed the practice of frequently changing names and personal details in the country’s most important identity and residence certificate ‘Aadhaar Card’. In order to prevent digital fraud, taking unfair advantage of government schemes by creating fake identities and criminal activities, UIDAI has made the name amendment system very strict and transparent. According to the new guidelines, now no citizen will be able to update his name in his Aadhaar records any number of times as per his wish. If a cardholder wants to make a correction in his name, surname or spelling, he will have to complete the process with strict documentary evidence and within the prescribed limits.

Under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) laid down by UIDAI, any Aadhaar cardholder is allowed to change or amend the name only twice (Two Times Limit) in his entire lifetime.

• Range of general improvement: If there is a typo in the spelling of your name, misspelling of initials or adding a surname after marriage, this amendment can easily be done within the first two chances.

• When the two-time limit is reached: If a person has already used both his/her opportunities and still there is a genuine need to change the name, the same will not be done through the normal Aadhaar Service Centres. For this, it will be mandatory to take special permission (Exception Handling) from the Regional Office of UIDAI.

Often people completely change their recognized identity and take a new name or make a major change in their surname. The authority has clarified that the full name will not be changed only on the basis of affidavit or general identity card.

• Gazette Notification: If a citizen is changing his name completely (e.g. ‘Amit Kumar’ to ‘Rohan Sharma’), he has to produce the official gazette notification issued by the Publications Division of the Government of India.

• Name change after marriage: For women, in case of change of surname after marriage, it will be mandatory to show marriage certificate or an official legal document containing joint photo of husband and wife.

• Adoption: In case of adoption of children, it will be necessary to provide a valid adoption certificate from a competent court.

UIDAI has updated and streamlined the list of valid Proof of Identity (POI). Original copy of any one of the following active and certified documents will be required to update the name:

• Valid Passport

• PAN Card or e-PAN

• Voter ID Card

• Driving License

• Photo Identity Card/Service ID Card issued by Central or State Government

• Marksheet or degree with photograph issued by a recognized educational institution

• Official Gazette Notification (Gazette copy) issued by the Government of India

• Bank Passbook (containing clear photograph of the applicant and seal and signature of the bank manager)

Whereas earlier many types of demographic updates could be done sitting at home through UIDAI’s ‘My Aadhaar’ portal, now changes have been made in the process keeping the security standards in mind.

1. Limited Online Correction: Only those citizens whose mobile number is actively linked with Aadhaar can make general spelling correction through the online portal. This requires OTP verification and uploading of self-attested color scanned copies of documents.

2. Aadhaar Seva Kendra: In case of major change, surname change or crossing the limit twice, it is mandatory to appear in person at the Aadhaar counter of the authorized Aadhaar Seva Kendra or bank/post office for biometric authentication. There physical verification of documents is done along with fingerprint and iris scan.

If a person has exhausted both the chances to change his/her name and still it is necessary to change the name due to genuine reason, then he/she has to follow the following special procedure:

1. Application at Local Centre: First of all, go to the nearest Aadhaar Seva Center and apply for name correction by paying the prescribed fee. From here you will get an ‘Update Request Number’ (URN) and receipt.

2. Rejection and URN: Since the limit has been reached, this application will be rejected by the backend system.

3. Regional Office Contact: After this the applicant will have to send a formal application through email or post to the concerned UIDAI Regional Office of his state.

4. Attached Documents: URN number of the rejected slip, valid government gazette notification, original identity certificate and an affidavit explaining the concrete and real reason for change of name will have to be attached with this application.

5. Final Approval: The third and final exception update in the database is approved only after thorough scrutiny and satisfaction at the level of the Regional Director.

While getting name correction done, citizens should take some important precautions so that their application is not rejected:

• Never upload black and white or blurry photocopies; Always provide a clear color scanned copy of the original document.

• Do not fall prey to any unauthorized cyber café or tout, as the list of all authorized centers and fee rates are clear on the official website of UIDAI (uidai.gov.in).

• The standard fee set by the government for demographic update is only ₹50.

• While changing the name, ensure that the Aadhaar name exactly matches with the name recorded in your PAN card, bank account and passport, otherwise there may be serious hindrances in financial and legal verification in future.