How to Change Name in Aadhaar (Aadhar)?

Who changes their name in Aadhaar, and why?

Most name changes we see fall into three groups:

• Marriage or divorce. A woman takes her husband's surname, or goes back to her earlier surname after a divorce.
• Spelling and small fixes. The spelling differs from your school certificate or PAN, initials need to be written in full, or the order of the names is different.
• A completely new name. You have legally changed your whole name.

Your Aadhaar name should match your other documents. UIDAI's document rules say name and date of birth must match across the documents you give. A mismatch can also block PAN–Aadhaar linking (name, date of birth and gender are matched) and bank KYC. To compare the two names before you go, use our PAN vs Aadhaar name checker. As of October 2026, the name can't be changed in the Aadhaar App or on myAadhaar. UIDAI says it may come to the app later "in phases".

Which category is your name change?

UIDAI reportedly issued a new procedure (SOP) for name updates on 18 Sep 2026. News reports from 5 Oct 2026 say it sorts every change into five categories. We haven't seen the SOP on uidai.gov.in yet, and our team hasn't confirmed that centres already follow it. Answer the questions to find your category.

Which document do you need for which change?

The categories and annexures below come from news reports of UIDAI's name SOP of 18 Sep 2026. Treat them as reported, not confirmed. Annexures are affidavit formats; ask the centre for the right one.

Proofs of identity on UIDAI's document list

A proof of identity must show at least your name and photo, be valid and be in your own name.

• Indian passport
• Voter ID, ration card or driving licence
• Government, PSU or statutory body service photo ID
• Pensioner or freedom fighter ID, or Pension Payment Order
• CGHS, ECHS, ESIC or Medi-claim card
• 10th or 12th marksheet, or board or university certificate
• Transgender ID card or certificate (2019 Act)
• For updates only: a Kisan photo passbook

Name-change documents on UIDAI's update list (List IV): marriage certificate, divorce decree and Gazette notification.

Children: UIDAI's list allows a "Baby of …" name to be changed to the child's full name with a birth certificate, and minor name changes for children through the Head of Family with a birth certificate.

Not accepted: PAN or e-PAN is in no list. Take original documents; at our counter we find centres don't accept DigiLocker copies on a phone. A printout of an e-document works only if it shows a valid digital signature. For every document and purpose, see Documents required for Aadhaar, or check yours with the document checker.

About the Gazette notification: UIDAI asks for it for a complete change of name. It is a government publication that records your new name. We don't cover how to get one on this page.

How must your name be written in Aadhaar?

• Exactly as on your document. UIDAI enters the name as written on the proof you give.
• No titles. Mr, Mrs, Smt, Dr, Shri and similar words are not added.
• Block letters, no special characters, according to the reported SOP.
• Same name everywhere. Check your PoI, address proof and DOB proof before you go. Even a small difference can cause trouble.

How do you change your name at an Aadhaar centre?

1. Choose a centre that does updates

   Aadhaar Seva Kendras, bank and post office Aadhaar centres, and CSCs running an authorised Aadhaar centre can change your name. In our experience, a normal CSC or cyber café can only download e-Aadhaar, print and order PVC cards.

2. Book a slot or walk in

   Booking is free at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in for listed centres; other centres are walk-in only. Aadhaar Seva Kendras usually open on Sundays too. Most work 9:30 am to 5:30 pm with a lunch break from 1 to 2 pm, so avoid arriving at 1 pm.

3. Carry the right originals

   Take your Aadhaar, an original proof of identity with the correct name, and any annexure, marriage certificate, divorce decree or Gazette notification your category needs.

4. Check the name on screen before giving biometrics

   Read every letter, the order of names and the spaces. Check the regional-language version too. Ask for a fix before you give your fingerprint or iris.

5. Pay ₹75 and keep the update slip

   The fee is ₹75. It's free if you also do a biometric update (₹125) in the same visit. The acknowledgement slip carries the number you use to track the request.

   Keep the slip safe. You need its number to track the request, and for the Regional Office route if it is ever needed.

6. Track the request

   Enter the number on your slip under Check Enrolment or Update Status on myAadhaar. For what each status means, see Update status and rejection fixes.

How many times can you change your name, and what if the limit is used?

UIDAI allows a name change twice in a lifetime (office memorandum of 27 Apr 2019). For comparison, gender and date of birth can each be changed only once. See all limits on Aadhaar update: fees and limits.

• What doesn't count: UIDAI's 2021 rules say operator typing errors, transliteration errors and regional-language changes don't use up your limit.
• Exceptions after both chances are used: a marriage, divorce or adoption certificate; writing initials; reordering the name; or a Gazette notification for a complete change.

1. Apply at a centre and keep the URN slip

   Registrars must accept your request even when the limit is used. The URN slip is your proof that you applied.

2. Send the slip and your proofs to the Regional Office

   Email or post a copy of the URN slip with your proofs to your UIDAI Regional Office. You can also call 1947. UIDAI has Regional Offices in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ranchi.

3. Follow up and keep records

   There is no fixed timeline for a decision. Keep copies of everything you send. If nothing happens, see Aadhaar complaint and escalation.

How do married women change from their maiden name?

The reported SOP treats a woman's surname change on marriage or divorce as its own category: Annexure D plus a proof of identity. UIDAI's official update list also includes the marriage certificate and divorce decree.

Our team says three routes work for married women whose documents are in their maiden name:

• give a marriage certificate;
• change the name through a Gazette notification; or
• use the Head of Family method with the husband's Aadhaar.

We are still confirming how sure our team is about these three routes. Ask your centre before you go.

If your date-of-birth or other proofs are still in your maiden name, UIDAI's list accepts them together with proof of the name change, such as your old Aadhaar or a marriage certificate showing both names.

Think before you change. People have written about a widow who had used both name chances and could not go back to her maiden name. If that happens, only the Regional Office route is left.

Changing your gender at the same time?

• Gender can be changed once in a lifetime, also at a centre.
• After that, an exception needs a surgeon's medical certificate or a government transgender certificate, sent through the Regional Office.
• If an operator changed your gender by mistake, the count goes back to 0.
• A transgender ID card or certificate under the 2019 Act is accepted as proof of identity, address and date of birth.

What should you do after the name change?

• Download the new e-Aadhaar. The OTP goes to your registered mobile. Download e-Aadhaar.
• Use the new PDF password. It is the first 4 letters of your name in CAPITALS plus your year of birth. A new name can mean a new password; work it out with the PDF password helper.
• Fix your PAN. A name mismatch can block PAN–Aadhaar linking. Correct the name in PAN through Protean or UTIITSL (steps in our guide change your name in PAN), or use biometric authentication at a PAN centre. See Fix a name or DOB mismatch and Link Aadhaar with PAN.
• Tell your bank. Your bank records don't change when Aadhaar changes. Update your name there separately.
• Changing your DOB too? That has its own rules and a once-only limit. See Change date of birth in Aadhaar.

What problems do people face, and how do you fix them?

Bottom line

You get two name changes, so make each one count. Find your category, take the right original proof to an Aadhaar centre, check the name on screen and pay ₹75. If both chances are used, the Regional Office route is still open. For help, UIDAI's free helpline is 1947.