Issue With Missing Surname In Official Documents – Need Guidance | Vkeel - Free Legal Advice

J

Gurgaon

My passport only has my first name (e.g., “ABC”) and no surname. This is now a problem as some countries require both for visa applications. None of my official documents (Aadhaar, PAN, 10th certificate) have a surname—this likely started in school and continued across documents. I do have a family surname and want to update all my documents to include it. My office ID already shows both first name and surname. I understand I may need an affidavit, newspaper publications, and my 10th certificate for the passport (I'm non-ECR). But I'm confused: Where should I start? Do I update Aadhaar or 10th certificate first? What’s the step-by-step process to get my name changed across all documents? Looking for guidance on how to proceed smoothly.

Expert's Answers(1)

Kishan Retired Judge ( Advocate)
Bengaluru, Karnataka

184 Client Ratings

Dear Sir, You have to follow the following procedure DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NAME CHANGE / GAZETTE 1) PHOTO : One Passport Size Photo 2) IDENTITY PROOF : Pan card or Passport or Driving Licence or Aadhar Card or Voters Card (ANY ONE) 3) ADDRESS PROOF : Ration Card or Aadhar Card or Electricity Bill (ANY ONE) 4) AGE PROOF : Birth Certificate, School/ College / TC leaving Certificate, (INCASE OF MINOR BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE with SCHOOL IDENTITY CARD) 5) AFFIDAVIT : ( If Any Made for any reasons like Numerology, Astrology, Marriage, Passport, Adoptions etc ) 6) APPLICATION FORM : Duly Signed Application Form with OLD & NEW SIGNATURE other details like Old & New Name, NEW Correspondence address, Contact Details & reason for Name change 7) CASTE CERTIFICATE (IF ANY) : SC/ST/NT1,2,3 8) LEGAL DOCUMENTS (ANY ONE OR AS APPLICABLE) : Affidavit / Marriage Certificate/ Nikah- nama / Adoption Certificate/ Divorce papers/ Divorce Decree etc. 9) MOBILE NO. : For OTP 10) EMAIL ID : For LOGIN & GAZETTE COPY

March 28, 2025