New Delhi: Dealing with an Aadhaar card name issue? Whether your name is spelled wrong, you’re looking to update your surname following marriage, or you need a complete name change, here’s what you should know: different situations call for different paperwork. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently updated its guidelines for modifying your Aadhaar name. These fresh rules distinguish between fixing small spelling errors, updating your surname after marriage or divorce, and making a full name change.

Starting September 18, 2026, UIDAI’s updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) kicks in. Under this new framework, any documents, affidavits, and gazette notices you submit for name modifications will be carefully reviewed. That’s why it’s crucial to figure out which situation applies to you and gather the right paperwork before you apply.

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Got a spelling mistake on your Aadhaar?

If your name has a typo or needs a small adjustment, that counts as a minor change. Think of things like adding or dropping a middle name, spelling out initials completely, or rearranging the order of your name. You’ll need to show valid ID proof based on the rules. Good news though: some tweaks—like fixing uppercase and lowercase letters or removing periods from your name—won’t need any documents at all.

What paperwork do you need to change your surname?
Changing your surname after getting married or going back to your maiden name after divorce follows its own special process. You’ll need to submit an affidavit plus identity verification as outlined in Annexure D. Your affidavit should make it crystal clear that you’re changing your name because of marriage or divorce, not to take on a completely different identity. According to recent reports, a certified marriage certificate might also work as an acceptable document for this process.

What if the operator enters the name incorrectly while creating Aadhaar?

Sometimes, a person submits the correct documents when applying for Aadhaar, but due to a data entry error, the name is incorrectly printed on the card. Such a situation will be considered a data-entry error rather than a simple name change. Under the new rules, adults will be required to provide an affidavit under Annexure B. This may also be accompanied by a Proof of Identity (PoI) or Proof of Relationship (PoR).

“>October 7, 2026

What if the name is correct in English but wrong in Hindi?

If the name on the Aadhaar card is correctly written in English, but incorrectly written in Hindi or another regional language, a separate provision exists for this. In such cases, a correction request can be made based on a prescribed affidavit and identity proof. This means that even if there is a discrepancy between the names written in English and the regional language, there is a process for correcting it.