Aadhaar Name Update Rules: UIDAI Issues New Process for Name Changes After Marriage, Divorce and More

Updating a name on an Aadhaar card is an important requirement for people whose personal details have changed due to marriage, divorce, gender change, spelling errors or other circumstances. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) explaining how different types of Aadhaar name corrections and changes should be handled.

According to the information provided, UIDAI uploaded the revised SOP on September 18, 2026. The updated procedure replaces the earlier process issued in 2021 and provides separate guidance for minor corrections, major name changes, data-entry mistakes and changes resulting from marriage, divorce or gender change.

People planning to modify their Aadhaar name should understand that the process may differ depending on how significant the requested change is.

Can You Change Your Aadhaar Name Online?

Aadhaar holders who want to update their name currently need to visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or an authorised Aadhaar enrolment/update centre.

The name-change facility is not currently available through the online myAadhaar portal. Online Aadhaar services can be used for certain other purposes, including eligible address updates, but a name modification requires an in-person visit.

Applicants can first locate a nearby Aadhaar centre or book an appointment where the facility is available. At the centre, they will need to complete the Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Form and provide the revised name along with the required supporting documents.

The requested name should be entered correctly, and applicants should avoid adding titles or professional designations as part of their Aadhaar name.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Name Correction

The documents needed will depend on the nature of the requested change. Applicants generally need to provide an acceptable Proof of Identity (PoI) or another supporting document applicable to their case.

For a simple spelling correction or a relatively small modification, standard supporting identity documents may be sufficient.

However, if someone wants to make a substantial change that effectively replaces their existing name with a different one, additional documentation may be required. A Gazette Notification, for example, may be relevant in cases involving a major or complete name change, subject to UIDAI's applicable document requirements.

Officials will verify the documents before processing the Aadhaar update request.

What Counts as a Minor Name Change?

Not every modification is treated as a completely new name by UIDAI. Certain changes can fall under the category of a minor name update.

These may include adding or removing a middle name or surname, changing the order of parts of a name, expanding an abbreviation or correcting a spelling where the revised version remains phonetically similar to the existing name.

This distinction is important because a minor correction may have different documentation requirements from a major name change.

What If the Aadhaar Centre Entered the Name Incorrectly?

There can also be situations where an Aadhaar holder submitted the correct document but the name was incorrectly entered into the Aadhaar database.

Such cases may be treated as data-entry errors.

If the original supporting document contained the correct name and the requested correction matches that document, the Aadhaar record may be corrected after verification. This allows genuine entry mistakes to be distinguished from cases where a person is requesting an entirely different name.

Aadhaar Name Change After Marriage or Divorce

The revised SOP also explains how name updates can be handled after significant life events such as marriage and divorce.

For example, a person who wants to add or change a surname after marriage can request an Aadhaar update using the required supporting identity documents. A name such as "Aarti Singh", for instance, may be updated to "Aarti Rajesh Singh" if the change is supported by acceptable documentation.

Similarly, people seeking to modify their name following a divorce can apply under the relevant procedure by providing the documents required for their case.

UIDAI's guidelines also cover name changes associated with gender change. The exact supporting documents required can depend on the nature and extent of the requested modification.

Major Name Changes May Need Additional Proof

A request can be treated differently when the new name is substantially different from the one currently recorded in Aadhaar.

If the modification is significant enough to make the identity appear different, it may fall under the major name-change category. Applicants in such situations should be prepared to provide additional supporting evidence as prescribed by UIDAI.

This is why Aadhaar holders should check the latest list of acceptable documents and requirements before visiting an Aadhaar centre.

Titles and Designations Cannot Be Added to Aadhaar Name

UIDAI's rules also place restrictions on what can appear as part of a person's name in Aadhaar.

Honorifics and prefixes such as Mr, Mrs, Miss, Shri, Smt or Dr should not be included as part of the Aadhaar name. Similarly, military ranks, official designations, service-related descriptions, awards and decorations cannot be added to the name field.

Names containing expressions such as "alias" or "also known as" are also subject to UIDAI's prescribed formatting rules rather than being treated as ordinary parts of the Aadhaar name.

Check Your Documents Before Requesting an Update

Anyone planning an Aadhaar name correction should first determine whether the request involves a minor correction, a data-entry mistake or a substantial name change. This can help identify which supporting documents may be required.

Applicants should also ensure that the name they want on Aadhaar matches their valid supporting documents. Carrying the correct documents to the Aadhaar centre can help avoid unnecessary delays or rejection of the update request.

Since Aadhaar procedures and acceptable-document requirements can be revised, users should check the latest UIDAI instructions before submitting an application.