APPLYING FOR REISSUE OF AN INDIAN PASSPORT IN USA - CHANGE OF NAME
I'm updating my blog after a hiatus of five years. What better way to update than writing about my own experience in applying for a new Indian passport, here in the US. When I searched online to find out more about the procedure to apply for a new Indian passport after a change in name, I couldn't find one place which gave me a step by step instruction (Indian Consulate, Houston website is confusing). That's when I decided to update my blog with this information. Hope it helps :)
First of all, let me give some background information. I'm currently in the US on a student visa (F1) and had a Last Name consisting of two words and a total of 22 characters. This is a situation which most of the people from my native state Karnataka or South India in general encounter. I was determined to change this really long last name but was told by lot of people that since I am in US already, the procedure is cumbersome and time consuming. I thought maybe that was true and the only way to change my last name was:
1. Go to India and get my name changed.
2. Apply for a new passport
3. Get your visa stamped
Since this requires a lot of time, the priority of getting my name changed decreased though I loathed my long last name.
Note: As of July 2011, applying for re-issue of passport after change of name CANNOT be processed under TATKAAL in India. It takes 30 calendar days to obtain a passport under normal circumstances.
(Bangalore, RPO)
These are some of the things that I did:
1. Change your name in India.
I went to a notary and got my name changed. There is a specific format to get your name changed. It's Appendix E and has been put on the Indian passport website (passport.gov.in. )I would advise people to get another affidavit spending an equal amount of money in the "generic" format which can be used for other purposes in India.
Time taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
Cost: Rs. 150
2. Advertise in a Newspaper
Go to any newspaper office and they would have the format to advertise change of name.
If you are applying for a passport in India, you need to advertise in two papers. Since we are applying in US, advertising in one newspaper in the area of permanent residence is sufficient.
I would recommend advertising in two newspapers.
Cost: Rs640
Time Taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
It may take a few days for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper. Take 5 original newspaper copies since you cant get them at a later date.
3. Change your name in USA
Go to the county clerk office and get your name changed. Process varies from county to county. In some counties it is mandatory to appear in front of the judge.
Time taken: Couple of hours
Cost: $58 ( It depends on each county )
4. Advertise in a newspaper in USA
Fill out the change of name affidavit given on consulate web page. Get the copy notarized. You can either get it notarized at any bank or the city hall. Take both the court order (obtained in step 3) along with the notarized affidavit to advertise in a newspaper. If the newspaper does not have a format, you can use the format used in India.
Cost: $30.10
Time taken: Couple of hours
Similar to procedure in India. Keep about 5 copies of original newspaper. It may take a week for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper.
5. Notarizing the documents
I got the following documents notarized.
a. Two proofs of residence ( Lease agreement and Drivers License )
b. First 5 and last 2 pages of Indian Passport
c. Color photocopy of VISA. ( I guess B/W photocopy should be sufficient )
Time taken: Couple of Hours
6. Checklist of documents
a. Paste a 2" X 2" photo on the application form ( you can also use the Indian passport size photo which is 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm ) Also include two other photographs in a separate envelope.
b. Postal Money Order or Cashier's Check for $60 or $210 (in case you are applying under TATKAAL )
c. Photocopy of Drivers License duly notarized.
d. Photocopy of Rental Agreement duly notarized.
e. Photocopy of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport duly notarized.
f. Photocopy of VISA duly notarized.
g. Original newspaper clippings of name change advertisement in US and India. (send the entire sheet)
h. Original affidavit of name change in India and US.
I found out the Indian Consulate, San Francisco web page to be helpful in order to fill in the application form. Mail all the documents using either USPS Express/Priority Mail or FedEx/UPS. I do not know of the processing time as it can vary depending on the Consulate that you apply. I sent my passport to the Houston consulate on a Monday(overnight) and received my new passport on Friday of the same week.
NOTE:
* Students on F1 visa who are on OPT can change their name provided their H1B has not been filed.
* Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name.
* It is not mandatory for the candidate to apply for a new OPT under the new name. However, please consult USCIS
Once you get the new passport, make sure to change your social security and your drivers license. Good Luck!! Please share your experience(s) and help others :)
Update:
From October 1, 2012, Passport applications will only be accepted at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta. Residents of the following US States and Territories can apply: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands.
I'm updating my blog after a hiatus of five years. What better way to update than writing about my own experience in applying for a new Indian passport, here in the US. When I searched online to find out more about the procedure to apply for a new Indian passport after a change in name, I couldn't find one place which gave me a step by step instruction (Indian Consulate, Houston website is confusing). That's when I decided to update my blog with this information. Hope it helps :)
First of all, let me give some background information. I'm currently in the US on a student visa (F1) and had a Last Name consisting of two words and a total of 22 characters. This is a situation which most of the people from my native state Karnataka or South India in general encounter. I was determined to change this really long last name but was told by lot of people that since I am in US already, the procedure is cumbersome and time consuming. I thought maybe that was true and the only way to change my last name was:
1. Go to India and get my name changed.
2. Apply for a new passport
3. Get your visa stamped
Since this requires a lot of time, the priority of getting my name changed decreased though I loathed my long last name.
Note: As of July 2011, applying for re-issue of passport after change of name CANNOT be processed under TATKAAL in India. It takes 30 calendar days to obtain a passport under normal circumstances.
(Bangalore, RPO)
These are some of the things that I did:
1. Change your name in India.
I went to a notary and got my name changed. There is a specific format to get your name changed. It's Appendix E and has been put on the Indian passport website (passport.gov.in. )I would advise people to get another affidavit spending an equal amount of money in the "generic" format which can be used for other purposes in India.
Time taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
Cost: Rs. 150
2. Advertise in a Newspaper
Go to any newspaper office and they would have the format to advertise change of name.
If you are applying for a passport in India, you need to advertise in two papers. Since we are applying in US, advertising in one newspaper in the area of permanent residence is sufficient.
I would recommend advertising in two newspapers.
Cost: Rs640
Time Taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
It may take a few days for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper. Take 5 original newspaper copies since you cant get them at a later date.
3. Change your name in USA
Go to the county clerk office and get your name changed. Process varies from county to county. In some counties it is mandatory to appear in front of the judge.
Time taken: Couple of hours
Cost: $58 ( It depends on each county )
4. Advertise in a newspaper in USA
Fill out the change of name affidavit given on consulate web page. Get the copy notarized. You can either get it notarized at any bank or the city hall. Take both the court order (obtained in step 3) along with the notarized affidavit to advertise in a newspaper. If the newspaper does not have a format, you can use the format used in India.
Cost: $30.10
Time taken: Couple of hours
Similar to procedure in India. Keep about 5 copies of original newspaper. It may take a week for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper.
5. Notarizing the documents
I got the following documents notarized.
a. Two proofs of residence ( Lease agreement and Drivers License )
b. First 5 and last 2 pages of Indian Passport
c. Color photocopy of VISA. ( I guess B/W photocopy should be sufficient )
Time taken: Couple of Hours
6. Checklist of documents
a. Paste a 2" X 2" photo on the application form ( you can also use the Indian passport size photo which is 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm ) Also include two other photographs in a separate envelope.
b. Postal Money Order or Cashier's Check for $60 or $210 (in case you are applying under TATKAAL )
c. Photocopy of Drivers License duly notarized.
d. Photocopy of Rental Agreement duly notarized.
e. Photocopy of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport duly notarized.
f. Photocopy of VISA duly notarized.
g. Original newspaper clippings of name change advertisement in US and India. (send the entire sheet)
h. Original affidavit of name change in India and US.
I found out the Indian Consulate, San Francisco web page to be helpful in order to fill in the application form. Mail all the documents using either USPS Express/Priority Mail or FedEx/UPS. I do not know of the processing time as it can vary depending on the Consulate that you apply. I sent my passport to the Houston consulate on a Monday(overnight) and received my new passport on Friday of the same week.
NOTE:
* Students on F1 visa who are on OPT can change their name provided their H1B has not been filed.
* Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name.
* It is not mandatory for the candidate to apply for a new OPT under the new name. However, please consult USCIS
Once you get the new passport, make sure to change your social security and your drivers license. Good Luck!! Please share your experience(s) and help others :)
Update:
From October 1, 2012, Passport applications will only be accepted at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta. Residents of the following US States and Territories can apply: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands.
19 comments:
So, what was the result of this process? I am going through a similar ordeal with two huge last names (I am from Karnataka as well :P ). I would love to know if it was a success. I also have a question regarding the visa stamping in the new name once you get back to India after the name change. How long it might take to get the visa transferred to the new name.
Result was that I applied for passport at Houston Consulate on Monday and got my new passport Friday of the same week.
I havent been to India to get my H1 stamped. As mentioned in the blog if you're changing your name after H1 has been approved, it's a different story altogether.
Thanks for the info..you saved me time and effort
Hi Harsha,
Could you update the blog on how you managed to get the name change done at the county clerk office?
Any detail on the form, you filled or etc would help.
Thanks
It varies from oounty to county. Some counties have a simple form, which you need to fill out and then pay the fee. They will ask you the reason you are changing your name.
There are few counties where in you need to schedule an appointment with the county clerk and appear in the court.
The former is a matter of few hours and latter may take you an entire day
I am really glad to glance at this blog posts which includes lots of valuable data, thanks for providing these kinds of information.
Hello Harsha,
I am currently in US. I understand the procedure for paper ad in US. for the paper ad in India, do we have to go to India to get the affidavit and newspaper ad there?
Harsha, thanks for the info. on step 4; how to put the add on news papers, do you have any online newspaper link or sample format of add to share.
have you change the name on SSN? how is that happened?
Harsha, thanks for the info. on step 4; how to put the add on news papers, do you have any online newspaper link or sample format of add to share.
have you change the name on SSN? how is that happened?
@Arun
The newspaper may have a specific format or you can use the same format you used for Indian newspaper.
You need to take the court order/affidavit to change the name on your SSN.
Hi Harsha,
Is there an alternative to going to India and getting the notarised affidavit? I will not be going to India for another 18 months but I need to change my name before I get documents/eac with my current name.
I recently got married, I have two given names and last name fnu
and my husband has two last names.we are from karnataka :P .
If I go for " change from maiden to married name" I will have two given names(my own) and last names(my husband's two last names) instead of FNU. IS THIS CORRECT?
thats I wanted just one given name and one last name? can I change my name without going to India asap?
I am eagerly waiting for a reply.
Regards,
Hello Pranathi,
Here are your answers
1. I'm not aware of an alternative.
2. You can always go to county clerk and change your name here. The problem is you would not get a SSN or Drivers License with that name.
They issue SSN as per the name on your passport.
3. Since you have two given names and no last name, I guess your last name is LNU(Last Name Unknown) and not fnu as you have mentioned :)
4. Since your husband has two last names, it would be better you guys change your name(s) the next time you go to India. You can then change your last name to your husbands last name. Get new passports before coming to US.
Hi Harsha,
Hi Harsha,
Thanks for a very nice post. This is a great summary of all things.
You said:
"Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name."
I am in this situation, my H1B is approved [but not stamped yet] and I have been working for 2 years in US. I might to India but not for more than 3 weeks in dec [holiday period] so I think that might not be enough time. Can you tell me what else is involved in case you are on an unstamped H1B.
The Good news is that I have notarized affidavit for name change from India but from 4 years back [I wanted to do it when I came for MS but didn't use the affidavit bec of time constraints]
Hi Anon,
There is nothing much that can be done in 3 weeks. Best bet for you would be to go get it stamped in your old name.
Since it's been almost 2 yrs, when you get H1 renewed, you can file it under your new name provided the new name reflects on the passport.
Also, you need to get all your documents notarized and published in India once again since documents are not valid for ore than a year from the day it was notarized.
Please share your experience here once you get these things done. Good Luck.
nice post, thanks you
hey,i got a lil different issue here regaring my passport..well my birth certificate and my passport ha my name ISMATH but all my school certifcates, inter and degree certificate has my name ISMAT without the H..i hv no idea how i did that blunder msitake but now i am facing really bad consequences..i m here in US on my husband visa that is i m on f2 visa..and i plan to do my master but because of my different spellings on both passport n educational certificates,they might not consider it..i cant change the names in the memos because my 10th board said i can do it within 2 years of issue of my pass cerificate and its already been more then 10 years..so i am only left with change in my passport name..i donot want to go back to do that.do u have any procedure as of how we can do it here itself.i live in seattle.thank you
@eezzys
I do not think it should be a big deal. Since you are already in the US, apply to colleges with your name on the passport. During the application, there would be a field which says other name(s) or something like that where you can type in the name without H.
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