New Delhi: If your name is incorrect on your Aadhaar card, the documents required to fix it will depend on the type of correction you need. Whether you want to correct a spelling mistake, change your surname after marriage or divorce, or update your entire name, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced revised procedures for handling different requests.
The updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), issued on September 18, 2026, sets out separate requirements for minor corrections, errors made during Aadhaar enrolment, regional-language discrepancies and major name changes. Applicants should identify the category that applies to their case and arrange the necessary documents before visiting an Aadhaar centre.
Minor Aadhaar Name Corrections: What Documents Are Needed?
Small corrections to a name, such as fixing a spelling error or making certain adjustments to initials and middle names, fall under the minor-change category, subject to UIDAI’s rules.
Examples include expanding initials into a full name, adding or removing a middle name, or correcting the sequence in which the name appears. Applicants may need to provide valid identity proof, depending on the nature of the requested change.
Some formatting corrections, including changes between uppercase and lowercase letters or removing full stops, may not require supporting documents. Applicants should confirm the applicable requirements before submitting a request.
Surname Change After Marriage or Divorce
People who want to adopt a spouse’s surname after marriage or return to their previous surname following divorce must follow the relevant procedure for these circumstances.
According to the reported guidelines, applicants may be required to submit an affidavit and identity verification documents in accordance with Annexure D. The affidavit should clearly explain that the change is related to marriage or divorce rather than an attempt to establish a different identity.
Recent reports have also indicated that a certified marriage certificate may be accepted as supporting documentation in applicable cases. Applicants should check UIDAI’s prescribed requirements to determine which documents are necessary for their individual circumstances.
Aadhaar Name Incorrect Because of an Operator’s Error
A different procedure applies when an applicant originally provided correct information and supporting documents, but the name was entered incorrectly by an enrolment operator.
Such cases are treated as data-entry errors rather than ordinary requests to change a name. Under the reported revised procedure, adults may need to submit an affidavit under Annexure B. Proof of Identity (PoI) or Proof of Relationship (PoR) may also be required, depending on the case.
Applicants should explain that the discrepancy resulted from an enrolment or data-entry mistake and provide the documents requested under the applicable UIDAI procedure.
What If Your Aadhaar Name Is Wrong in Hindi or Another Language?
Sometimes, the name printed in English on an Aadhaar card is correct, but its spelling in Hindi or another regional language is incorrect. UIDAI has a separate process for addressing these language-related discrepancies.
In such cases, applicants can request a correction by submitting the prescribed affidavit and identity documents, as applicable. This allows errors in the regional-language version of a name to be addressed even when the English spelling is accurate.
Before applying, Aadhaar holders should review the relevant instructions and ensure that their supporting documents match the details required for the correction.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes and is based on the information available about UIDAI’s revised Aadhaar name-update procedure. Document requirements may vary according to the type of correction and the applicant’s circumstances. Rules and procedures may also be updated. Applicants should consult the official UIDAI website or an authorised Aadhaar enrolment centre for the latest instructions before submitting an application.