A spelling fix, a married surname and a full legal name change are no longer treated the same way. Here’s what the revised SOP actually requires for each.
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UIDAI’s New SOP for Aadhaar Name Correction 2026
Getting a name fixed on an Aadhaar card used to feel like a single, fairly loose process: submit a document, request the change, wait. That approach is gone. UIDAI has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure for name updates, effective September 18, 2026, replacing the earlier 2021 SOP, and it sorts every request into a specific category with its own document and affidavit requirements.
What Triggered the Change
The circular (F.No. HQ-16024/4/2020-EU-I-HQ), signed by Nikhil Sinha, Director, and digitally signed on September 18, 2026, supersedes the Name & Gender Update SOP issued in October 2021. The stated objective is to process requests consistently based on the nature of the correction and the documentation submitted, rather than handling every name change the same way.
The Basic Rule for Names in Aadhaar
Before getting into categories, UIDAI’s formatting rule applies to every update: names must be recorded in block letters, without aliases, “urf,” military ranks, titles, designations, awards or decorations. A name like “Dr. Col. Ramesh Sharma” would need to drop the honorifics entirely to match Aadhaar’s formatting standard.
The Four Categories of Name Update
1. Minor Name Change
This covers the kind of correction most people actually need:
- Expanding or abbreviating initials (e.g., “T R D Prasad” → “Tadi Rama Durga Prasad”)
- Adding or deleting a middle or last name
- Changing the order of names (e.g., “Divakar Anand” → “Anand Divakar”)
- Minor spelling corrections, including phonetic fixes (e.g., “Ram” → “Rama,” “Pooja Singh” → “Puja Singh”)
Documents needed: A valid Proof of Identity (PoI) or Proof of Residence (PoR) document carrying the corrected name.
No document needed: Fixing random capitalisation (e.g., “RaMesh” → “Ramesh”) or removing stray dots from a name doesn’t require any supporting document at all.
2. Data-Entry Error
This applies when the Aadhaar record doesn’t match a document the applicant already submitted, meaning the mistake happened at UIDAI’s end rather than reflecting an actual name change.
Documents needed: An affidavit, plus the original PoI/PoR document that carries the correct name. The affidavit must state the Aadhaar number, the correct name, and affirm that the request is a correction only, not a change of identity.
3. Marriage or Divorce-Related Change
A dedicated route exists for surname changes following marriage or divorce, since this is one of the most common reasons people update their Aadhaar name.
Documents needed: The SOP provides prescribed affidavit formats (Annexures B through F) specifically for this category, alongside standard PoI/PoR documentation.
4. Major Name Change
This is a complete change of identity, for example, “Ram Gupta” becoming “Shyam Gupta,” rather than a correction or minor adjustment.
Documents needed: A Gazette Notification is mandatory. No other document substitutes for it. UIDAI will also cross-check the new name against every name previously recorded for that Aadhaar holder and verify the authenticity of the Gazette Notification and any affidavits submitted.
Special Cases Also Covered
The revised SOP addresses a few additional scenarios:
- Removing “urf” or an alias from a name: requires an affidavit plus PoI/PoR.
- Names with titles or ranks (Doctor, Colonel, Shri, Smt., etc.): covered under a separate provision, since these are not permitted in the Aadhaar record format.
The Two-Update Limit
UIDAI has set a cap: Aadhaar holders are generally permitted to update their name twice. Any request beyond that limit is treated as an exception and will likely require a Gazette Notification along with approval through a separate exceptional procedure, regardless of how minor the correction might otherwise be.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Name Correction
- Identify the category your request falls into: minor correction, data-entry error, marriage/divorce, or major change.
- Gather the correct documents for that category, referring to the list above.
- Book an appointment at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, or locate your nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.
- Fill in the Aadhaar Enrolment/Update form, writing the name in block letters, with no titles, aliases or abbreviations outside what’s permitted.
- Submit the form along with supporting documents and the relevant affidavit, if your category requires one.
- Retain the acknowledgement slip generated after submission, for tracking the request.
Why the Stricter Process Matters
UIDAI’s revised procedure gives it explicit authority to verify the genuineness of every document, affidavit and Gazette Notification submitted. That verification step, combined with the cross-check against previously recorded names, is designed to prevent repeated or inconsistent name changes being used to obscure identity, rather than simply correct an honest error.
Quick Reference Table
| Type of Change | Document Required |
|---|---|
| Capitalisation or dot correction | None |
| Minor spelling/order/initials | PoI or PoR with correct name |
| Data-entry error | Affidavit + original PoI/PoR |
| Marriage/divorce surname change | Prescribed affidavit (Annexures B-F) + PoI/PoR |
| Removal of alias/”urf” | Affidavit + PoI/PoR |
| Major/complete name change | Gazette Notification (mandatory) |
The days of treating every Aadhaar name request as interchangeable are over. Anyone planning a correction, whether it’s a typo, a changed surname, or a full legal name change, should match the request to the right category before heading to the centre, since showing up with the wrong documents under the new SOP is more likely to mean a rejected request than a quick fix.
Frequently Asked Questions on Aadhaar Name Correction
How many times can I change my name in Aadhaar?
A maximum of two times in a lifetime. Beyond that, any further change needs special approval from a regional UIDAI office and typically a Gazette Notification, regardless of how minor the correction is.
What is the fee for Aadhaar name correction?
Demographic updates, including name correction, cost ₹75 at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Enrolment Centre. If biometric updates are included along with the name change, the fee can be higher. Updating multiple fields (like name and address) in one request still costs a single fee, not one per field.
Can I correct my Aadhaar name online?
Minor corrections, such as fixing capitalisation, removing stray dots, or small spelling fixes, can often be done through the myAadhaar portal with OTP verification. Anything falling under data-entry error, marriage/divorce change, or major name change typically requires an in-person visit with documents and affidavits.
Will my Aadhaar number change after a name update?
No. The 12-digit Aadhaar number stays the same regardless of how many times the name is updated.
Do I get a new Aadhaar card after a name change?
Yes, an updated Aadhaar card is generated and delivered to the registered address once the correction is processed.
How long does an Aadhaar name correction take?
Typically 7 to 90 days, depending on the type of correction and whether further document verification is needed. Status can be tracked online using the SRN/URN from the acknowledgement slip.
Why does Aadhaar name correction get rejected?
The most common reasons are a mismatch between the submitted document and the requested name, missing affidavits for categories that require them, or a major name change submitted without the mandatory Gazette Notification.
Can I update my name and address together in one request?
Yes. Multiple demographic fields can be updated in a single request for the same fee.
Is a Gazette Notification always required for a name change?
No, only for a major name change (a complete change of identity). Minor corrections, data-entry fixes, and marriage/divorce surname changes each have their own document route that doesn’t require a Gazette Notification.
What happens if I’ve already used both my name updates?
The most common reasons are a mismatch between the submitted document and the requested name, missing affidavits for categories that require them, or a major name change submitted without the mandatory Gazette Notification.
This article is based on UIDAI’s circular and published coverage as of October 5, 2026. For the exact affidavit formats and the complete list of accepted documents under Schedule II, refer to the official UIDAI circular or visit myaadhaar.
