Wrong name on your Aadhaar card? UIDAI's revised rules explain which corrections need an affidavit—and which do not

UIDAI's revised name-update SOP was digitally signed on September 18, 2026. It separates minor edits, data-entry mistakes, regional-language errors, special cases and major changes. The supporting paperwork depends on the category.

Expanding initials, adding or removing a middle or last name, changing name order and certain spelling corrections fall under minor changes. Annexure A specifies proof of identity, or applicable relationship proof for children using the Head of Family route.

Where Aadhaar contains an entry error but the previously submitted document has the correct name, the SOP specifies Annexure B for adults and Annexure C for minors, alongside the applicable supporting document.

A woman's surname change following marriage or divorce has a dedicated route: the Annexure D affidavit plus proof of identity. Check the prescribed format before preparing the paperwork for this particular change.

Retaining one name from an “urf” or “alias” entry requires Annexure E for adults or F for minors, with supporting documents. By contrast, the SOP lists no document requirement for correcting random capitalisation or removing dots.

The SOP says a major change involving a complete change of name or identity is liable to rejection without a Gazette Notification. This is a different requirement from the paperwork for minor edits.