If you want to add your partner’s name to your passport after marriage, then now you do not need to worry about the marriage certificate. The Ministry of External Affairs has made this rule easier than ever, which has brought great relief to millions of people.
Now marriage certificate is not required – know what is the new rule
Earlier, it was mandatory to submit the marriage certificate to add the name of the husband or wife in the passport. This process used to become difficult especially in those states where getting a certificate after marriage is not a common practice – like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
Now the Ministry of External Affairs has abolished this compulsion and recognized the Self Declaration. That is, now you will get the facility to add your spouse’s name in the passport by just filling an easy form, with some important information and photo.
Annexure J will now be your support
Under the new system, a document called Annexure J has been introduced, which will include a joint photo of both of you, and some basic information along with your signature. This form will work as a declaration and this document will be considered as proof of marriage for the passport authority.
What will be the benefits of this change?
Now there is no need for government documents to prove marriage
The process has become simple, transparent and time saving
It is possible to add name in passport even if there is no marriage certificate
Citizens of rural areas and small towns will get great relief
Why was this change necessary?
Even now, in many parts of India, people do not get marriage certificate after marriage, due to which adding partner’s name in government documents or for foreign travel becomes a challenge. Understanding this ground reality, the government has made the process flexible, so that the common citizen does not have to get entangled in unnecessary legal formalities. This change is a sigh of relief especially for those who need to add spouse’s name in passport for foreign travel, visa application or family identification.
