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How To Update Your Name & Gender Marker on Your Indian Passport

How To Update Your Name & Gender Marker on Your Indian Passport
Vismaya Nimbalkar6 min read#legal transition
Table Of Content

This is a practical guide on how to legally change your name and gender marker on your Indian Passport. Before we begin, it is vital to note: you DO NOT need surgery to change your gender marker on your passport.

Under the official office memorandum issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (No. VI/401/01/02/2022, dated 27th August 2025), you can legally change your gender marker to M, F, or T without surgical intervention. This right has been reaffirmed by the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in Anahita Chaudhary v. Union of India & Anr and more recently by the Hon'ble Allahabad High Court in Khush R. Goel v. Union of India & Ors.

Office Memorandum of the Ministry of External Affairs

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), there are currently two pathways to change your gender marker on your passport.

Option 1: The Medical Route

  • A sworn affidavit regarding the change in sex.
  • A certificate of medical procedure or a Surgical Reconstruction Certificate from the hospital where the applicant underwent intervention.

OR

Option 2: The Transgender Persons Act Route (No Surgery Required)

  • Submission of a Certificate of Identity for change of gender (Form-4) along with an Identity Card (Form-6), issued under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

In simpler terms, while Option 1 requires SRS (Gender Affirmation Surgery), Option 2 provides a vital alternative for trans folk. By providing a Transgender ID card and certificate issued by a District Magistrate, you can update your marker to M or F.

Important Note: Only Transgender ID cards and certificates issued under Section 7 (which denotes a change in gender to Male or Female) are accepted for M/F markers. If your ID was issued under Section 6 (identifying as Transgender), you must apply for a reissue under Section 7 to change the marker to M or F.

Physical Copies Matter

You will need the original physical copy of the ID card and certificate, not just the digital version from the portal. You can collect these at your District Magistrate’s office or the Women and Child Welfare Department. In Bengaluru, this is located near NIMHANS. (If you head there, don't hesitate to ask for Sunanda!)

Documents Checklist: What to Carry to Your Appointment

I’ve broken this down into what I thought I needed versus what the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) actually requested.

The "Better Safe Than Sorry" List (What I carried):

  • Applications: 2 copies of the online application receipt and 3 copies of the payment receipt.
  • Photos: 13 passport-size photos (they may not use them all, but keep them ready).
  • New Identity (New Name & Gender): Original and 3 copies each of Aadhaar, PAN, Learner’s License, Student ID, and SBI Passbook (with photo/stamp).
  • Transgender Documentation: Original and 3 copies of the Transgender ID Card & Certificate (Section 7).
  • Old Identity (Deadname/Old Gender): Original and 3 copies each of old Aadhaar, PAN, and all previous passports (including expired ones).
  • Education/Birth: Original and 2 copies of 10th and 12th marksheets and Birth Certificate.
  • Legal Proof: 6 copies of the Central Gazette Notification. (Note: The physical gazette has been replaced by an e-gazette since 2015; a printout is sufficient).
  • Legal Backing: Copies of the MEA Office Memorandum and the High Court rulings (Delhi and Allahabad) to handle any administrative confusion.
  • Declarations: A New Annexure-E declaration on plain paper.

The "Essential" List (What they actually took):

  1. Original Aadhaar & PAN Card
  2. Original 10th Marksheet & Pass Certificate (Required for Non-ECR status)
  3. Central Gazette Notification
  4. Transgender Identity Card and Certificate
  5. Original Current Passport
  6. First page of the online application receipt
  7. One photocopy of every document listed above
  8. The MEA Office Memorandum (Essential to show at Counter A)

How to Apply: Key Tips

Apply via the Official Passport Seva Portal. The process is straightforward, but keep these four points in mind:

  1. Route: You must apply under the Normal category. Major name and sex changes are ineligible for Tatkaal.
  2. History: You must declare all previous names and aliases (this includes your deadname).
  3. Reason for Reissue: Select "Change in Name" (Full) and "Change in Sex." You can also select "Validity Expired" if applicable and any other applicable reason.
  4. Current Particulars: Enter your updated name and gender in the main form. You do not need to use your deadname in the current particulars section unless the form specifically asks for "Previous Name."

Timeline & Costs

  • Standard Passport (36 pages): ₹1,500
  • Jumbo Passport (60 pages): ₹2,000

My Personal Timeline (for reference):

  • Appointment Booked: 24th January 2026
  • PSK Appointment Completed: 10th March 2026
  • Police Verification Completed: 19th March 2026
  • Passport Delivery: Pending (will update soon!)

What to Expect at the PSK

Arrive 15 minutes early. There is a security check at the entrance where they verify your appointment slot.

1. Registration Desk

They check your appointment receipt and ensure you have the basic originals/photocopies. You will be issued a Token Number via a slip and an SMS.

2. Counter A (The Most Important Step)

Here, they scan your documents, take your biometrics (fingerprints), and your passport photo.

  • Pro-Tip: If the staff seems confused about a gender change without surgery, politely present the MEA Office Memorandum. This usually clears up any hurdles immediately.

3. Counter B & C

Counter B is for document verification by a verifying officer. Counter C is the Granting Officer. Because a change in sex and a full name change are considered "sensitive demographic changes," you will likely be directed to the APO (Assistant Passport Officer).

4. APO’s Cabin

The APO will review your file. They will cancel your old passport (punching holes in the first two pages) and stamp it. You should receive a "Granted" notification via email almost immediately after leaving.

Police Verification

Because of the nature of these changes, passports are usually issued on a Post-Police Verification basis.

  • The police will typically call you to the station rather than visiting your home.
  • Hostel Residents: If you use a hostel address, bring a Bona Fide letter from your warden or college principal.
  • Once the police upload a "Clearance" report, your passport will be printed and dispatched.
  • Make sure to carry at least one recent passport size photograph and all the documents you carried with you to the Passport Seva Kendra.

Important Note: It is a common practice for the police to ask for a bribe during passport verification and they typically demand anywhere from ₹200-₹1,000. However, you are not required to pay the police anything for your passport verification. You can always refuse to pay the police if they ask for a bribe, however do be aware that they may try to delay your file if you do refuse. However, you can always utilise reporting mechanisms to report their behaviour/conduct.

Final Delivery

Passports are sent via Speed Post. The postman will usually require you to be physically present and show ID (Aadhaar or DigiLocker) to receive the package. They generally will not leave it with security or neighbors.

A Note of Caution

This guide is based on current laws and personal experience. However, regional PSKs can sometimes vary in their internal culture. Always stay patient, keep your legal documents (the MEA memo) handy, and remember your rights!