UIDAI Issues Revised SOP for Name Update in Aadhaar
UIDAI Issues Revised SOP for Updating Name in Aadhaar
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for updating names in Aadhaar, replacing the earlier SOP issued in October 2024. The revised procedure has been issued through a circular from UIDAI’s Enrolment & Update-I Division and comes into force with immediate effect from the date of the circular.
Download UIDAI Issues Revised SOP for Name Update in Aadhaar in PDF
Revised Procedure for Name Update
The new SOP has been introduced to provide a clearer and more structured process for handling different types of name-update requests in Aadhaar. It is based on the provisions of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016 and the applicable list of acceptable documents.
During Aadhaar enrolment or update, demographic information such as the name, date of birth, gender and address is recorded based on the documents submitted by the Aadhaar number holder. The revised SOP provides guidance for situations where the name needs to be corrected or changed.
Different Name-Update Scenarios
The SOP includes an illustrative list of scenarios for name updates, covering circumstances such as:
- Expansion or abbreviation of names.
- Addition or deletion of middle or last names.
- Changes in the sequence or order of names.
- Minor corrections in the English name where the regional-language name remains unchanged.
- Data-entry errors in the Aadhaar record.
- Errors in the regional-language version of the name.
- Name changes arising from marriage or divorce.
- Other specified special cases covered under the prescribed procedure.
The SOP also specifies the documents that may be required for different categories of name changes, with the applicable documentation varying according to the nature of the requested update.
Affidavit-Based Name Updates
The revised SOP includes prescribed affidavit formats for specific cases.
For adults, an affidavit is provided for cases where the name has been incorrectly recorded in Aadhaar due to a data-entry error. The prescribed format requires the Aadhaar holder to declare that the request relates only to correction of the name and does not involve a change of identity or adoption of another person's name.
A separate affidavit format is prescribed for minors in similar circumstances.
Marriage or Divorce-Related Surname Change
A dedicated affidavit format has also been provided for updating the surname following marriage or divorce. The declaration requires the applicant to establish the earlier surname, the change resulting from marriage/divorce and the requested present surname, while confirming that the individual's identity remains unchanged.
Retention of “Urdu/Ur” or “Alias” Name
The SOP further provides a specific affidavit for cases where an Aadhaar holder's name is recorded with “ur” or “alias” and the applicant seeks to retain one name while discontinuing the use of the other. A corresponding format is prescribed separately for adults and minors.
Objective of the Revised SOP
The revised procedure is intended to ensure that name-update requests are processed consistently according to the nature of the correction or change and the supporting documentation submitted by the Aadhaar holder. The circular states that the revised SOP supersedes the earlier procedure and is to be followed with immediate effect.
In short, the revised UIDAI SOP provides a structured framework for handling name corrections, spelling and sequence changes, marriage/divorce-related surname changes, data-entry errors and specified special cases in Aadhaar.