In a significant step toward simplifying passport-related procedures, the Ministry of External Affairs has made a major change in the rules regarding adding a spouse’s name in the passport. From now on, applicants will not need to submit a marriage certificate. Instead, a self-declaration via Annexure J will suffice.

📌 What Has Changed?

Until now, couples who wanted to add each other’s names in their passports had to submit a legal marriage certificate. This was a hurdle for many, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, where marriage registration is not very common.

Now, the government has eliminated the need for a marriage certificate in such cases.

🆕 What is Required Now?

To include a spouse’s name in the passport, the following documents will now be accepted:

• Annexure J: A self-declaration form

• Joint wedding photograph

• Photograph with both partners

• Signatures of both husband and wife

• Basic marriage details filled in the form

👉 This new rule is intended to make the process faster, simpler, and more accessible for Indian citizens.

✅ Benefits of the New Rule

• No more dependency on legal marriage certificate

• Faster passport processing for married couples

• Helpful for job seekers or travelers needing urgent passport updates

• Especially beneficial in rural or semi-urban areas

🏛 Who Made the Change?

The Ministry of External Affairs, which oversees passport services in India, made this update official to promote ease of documentation and reduce unnecessary delays in passport processing.

📌 Summary of Key Points