NAMING LAW
A missing name, a spelling error and a wholly new name are three different problems. What the Act provides for each.
A name that was left blank is added under section 14 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, within the time limits described in our guide to registering a baby’s name. A spelling error or a wrong parent’s name is corrected under section 15. A different name altogether is not covered by the Act at all. [1] [2]
Section 15 allows the Registrar, when satisfied that an entry is erroneous in form or substance or was fraudulently or improperly made, to correct or cancel it by a marginal entry, without altering the original entry, and to sign and date the correction. The wording is quoted in the Karnataka High Court judgment cited below. [2]
Under model rule 11, a clerical or formal error is corrected after the Registrar enquires. An error in substance is corrected on a declaration that sets out the nature of the error and the true facts, made by two credible persons who know them. Every correction is reported to the State, and the correction is intimated to the informant’s permanent address. [1]
The Act and the model rules have no provision for replacing one registered name with another. In February 2025 the Karnataka High Court (Justice N. S. Sanjay Gowda) held that, until rules are made, Registrars must accept a sworn affidavit from the parents that they changed the child’s name voluntarily, verify the parents’ identity, keep the original name, enter the new name with a remark that it was changed on the parents’ request, and issue a fresh certificate bearing the endorsement. The court said the same procedure may be used for adults. The direction binds Karnataka’s authorities; other states set their own practice. [2]
Delhi’s municipal portal lets a citizen mark each name field as a major or minor correction, upload documents and download the new certificate after approval. Chandigarh asks for an application, proofs and fees for a minor spelling change, and for a major change an affidavit, statements of two credible persons and document proof. Greater Chennai Corporation handles corrections by application and documents, and states that once a child’s name is registered it cannot be changed. [4] [5] [6]
The original entry is not overwritten; the corrected certificate shows the marginal entry or endorsement. Use the corrected certificate to update school records, Aadhaar and the passport. For a date-of-birth update in Aadhaar, UIDAI’s document list says that if a birth certificate was submitted earlier, the corrected certificate must bear the same Birth Registration Number. [2] [7]
Section 15 covers errors and improper entries, not a change of mind. The Karnataka High Court has directed an affidavit-based procedure in that state, and Greater Chennai Corporation says a registered name cannot be changed. [2] [5]
For an error in substance, the model rules call for a declaration by two credible persons. Chandigarh also asks for an affidavit and document proof for a major change. [1] [6]
Yes. The original entry stays and the correction is made by a marginal entry or endorsement. [2]
Chandigarh’s service charter gives 14 days for a correction and 7 days for adding a name. Other offices set their own times. [6]
Delhi’s municipal portal and Greater Chennai Corporation both run online routes for corrections. [4] [5]
For a date-of-birth update, the corrected certificate must carry the same Birth Registration Number as the one submitted earlier. [7]