CHANGE OF NAME IN  THE PASSPORT

GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Application for change of name in the passport is to be made from April 1, 2008 only online on the prescribed application form. Re-issue of passport in the service desired option should be chosen. Embassy will not accept non-online applications after April 1st. 

This application form will enable the applicant to register online. The applicant should ensure that all fillable items are entered correctly. For all correspondence to the Embassy regarding the application please quote your temporary registration number. The application may either be sent by mail or submitted at the Embassy on the date indicated in the application form. It should be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate General in whose jurisdiction the applicant resides. 

ONLY ONLINE FORMS downloaded from the Embassy's website would be accepted. Photographs should be pasted (not Stapled) and application should be signed.

The application is to be submitted on the same application form as required for renewal/reissue of passport. A booklet valid for 10 years will be issued. 

The following documents and fee are required to be submitted alongwith the application: -

· After having filled the application online, print a copy. 

· Affix photograph as per specification in the box (do not staple photograph)

· Four coloured passport size (3.5cm x 3.5cm) photographs showing frontal view of full face against a light background including one photograph to be pasted on the space provided on the first page of the application form;

· Two proofs of residential address of the applicant, which may include current Driving License, Utility Bill, house rent lease agreement showing the residential address.

· Photocopy of the first five and last two pages of the original / old passport; 

· Pages of passport showing US visa or Green Card (in original) or original Employment Authorization Card (in original) or other visa documents must be shown at the counter. A copy of the entire document / Card should be appended with the application (in case the application is sent by mail, a notarized copy of these documents should be sent); 

· In case application for Green Card or EAC or visa is pending/being processed, a copy of documents in support of this fact must be submitted;

· In case the current passport does not contain the name of the spouse and the applicant wishes to have it entered in the new passport, copy of notarized marriage certificate must be submitted alongwith the application. 

· In cases where Indian passport has already expired beyond a period of one year, the applicant should submit an affidavit, duly notarized by a notary and may have to appear personally before the Consular Officer. The applicant will be informed by the Embassy / Consulate to appear for interview if the need arises. The Embassy / Consulate will get in touch with applicants in cases where the applications are incomplete / incorrect or have other deficiencies including inadequate fee

(i) in case of CHANGE FROM MAIDEN NAME TO MARRIED NAME or substitution of father's name with name of the spouse or Divorcees applying for change of name or for substitution of name of spouse with father's name in existing passport, the following must be submitted in addition to the above: - 

· Original Passport; 

· Notarized copy of marriage certificate along with original or notarized copy of divorce deed duly authenticated by court along with original as applicable; 

· Copy of the passport of spouse; 

· In case of re-married spouse (applying for change of name / spouse name in case of re-marriage after divorce OR death of spouse), divorce deed OR death certificate, as the case may be, in respect of her first spouse must be submitted.

(ii) In cases other than the above: - 

· Change of name is required to be advertised in two daily newspapers, one in USA and another in India (being circulated in the area of applicant’s permanent and present residence in USA);

· Submission of original newspaper clippings;

· Duly notarized Affidavit for change of name, in the prescribed proforma. 

Please note that even if the requirements mentioned above are complete in all respects, the Consular Officer reserve the right to ask for any necessary original documents at any stage and these documents are required to be presented by the applicant for scrutiny and satisfaction of the Consular Officer before service is rendered.

Fee

· A non-refundable fee of US $ 40 which has to be paid in cash (only at the counter) or by Certified cheque or Money Order payable to Embassy of India, Washington DC when applying within its jurisdiction or drawn in favour of Consulate General of India, New York / Houston / Chicago, San Francisco, as the case may be. Please note that personal cheques are not accepted. If delivery of documents is requested by mail, applicants must include $20 for Express Mail or $10 for Priority mail (No Tracking Number is generated in this case). It is possible to send one combined cheque for the consular service and mailing service. 

Please note that the fee money once paid is not refunded on account of refusal of service or delay in service. Please insist on a receipt for any money paid at the counter.


Processing time:

Applications are received at the Consular counter on all working days between 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (local time); 

Serviced documents are delivered on all working days between 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm (local time); 

Processing time for applications received at the Consular counter is between 4 to 7 working days, excluding the date of receipt of application at the Embassy / Consulate. 

Passport can be issued within 1 to 3 working days in an emergency/tatkal scheme for which an additional emergency fee of US$ 90 will be charged apart from the normal processing fee of US$ 40.

Note: The above time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India or any other Passport Issuing Authority other than the office where the application is made. In such cases, the processing time would be 30 working days.  Passport application must be submitted in person by the applicant or immediate family member of the applicant at the counter or directly through mail to the Embassy/Consulate. Personal interview may be required.


APPLICATION BY MAIL

GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS 


Outstation applicants may send their application for passport/consular Service by certified/registered/overnight mail to the Embassy / consulate depending upon the consular jurisdiction in which the applicant resides. Fee should be paid by Money Order Draft / Certified cheque in favour of Embassy of India, Washington DC or the Consulate General of India, New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Houston depending upon the jurisdiction the applicant resides. In order to return the passport by mail, US$ 20 for Express Mail or US$ 10 for Priority Mail (No Tracking Number is generated in this case) may be sent alongwith the application. Please note that it is possible to send one certified cheque or Money Order for the passport service as well as for mail service. 

Processing time:

Processing time for applications received at the Embassy / Consulate is between 4 to 7 working days, excluding the time taken in mail. Passport can be issued in an emergency/tatkal scheme  within 1 to 3 working days excluding the time taken by mail for which an additional emergency fee of US$ 90 will be charged in addition to the normal processing fee of US$ 40 or US$ 50 for normal booklet of 36 pages and jumbo booklet of 60 pages respectively.

NOTE: The above time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India or any other Passport Issuing Authority other than the office where the application is made. In such cases, the processing time would be 30 working days excluding the time taken by mail.
The applicants are advised to refrain from making telephonic or written enquiries about the status or their application during the normal processing time. The Embassy / Consulate will get in touch with applicants in cases where the applications are incomplete / incorrect or the fee sent is not adequate or not paid in the acceptable manner or where there are other deficiencies. THE EMBASSY / CONSULATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DOCUMENTS LOST IN MAIL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A PASSPORT SHOULD NOT BE SENT OUT OF ANY COUNTRY BY POST. Application may be sent to the embassy or Consulate depending upon the place where the applicant resides. The Consular jurisdiction and addresses of our offices are as follows:

Embassy of India, 
Consular Wing,
2536, Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20008

Jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington DC 

Delaware, Washington DC, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Bermuda. 

Consulate General of India, New York:
Consular Section
3 East, 64 Street
New York, NY-10065

Jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, New York 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and The Virgin Islands.

Consulate General of India, San Francisco
Consular Section,
540, Arguello Boulevard, 
San Francisco, CA-94118

Jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, San Francisco 

Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, California. 

Consulate General of India, Houston
Consular Section,
1990, Post Oak Boulevard,
# 600, 3 Post Oak Central,
Houston TX 77056

Jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Houston 

Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia. 

Consulate General of India, Chicago
Consular Section,
455, North City Front, 
Plaza Drive (NBC Tower Building),
Suite # 850, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Chicago

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, N. Dakota, s. Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri. 

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Note: In case of any assistance/complaints in respect of passport services, the following officers may be contacted during office hours. (i) Assistant Consular Officer Phone: (202) 939-9838 (ii) Attaché (Consular) Phone: (202) 939-9832 (ii) First Secretary (Consular) Phone: (202) 939-9845 It would be preferable for the applicant to address their passport related queries through email.  Personal Cheques/Credit Cards are not accepted.