NEW DELHI, April 11: In a significant move to simplify the passport application process for Indian citizens, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that applicants can now add their spouse’s name to their passport without the need for a marriage certificate. The new rule introduces a Joint Photo Declaration (Annexure J) as a valid substitute for the traditional marriage certificate.

According to Arjun Deore, the regional passport officer in Pune, the Joint Photo Declaration, signed by both husband and wife, will now serve as an official alternative to the marriage certificate. This change addresses a common challenge faced by applicants who often struggle to provide a valid marriage certificate, especially in regions where marriages are not always formally registered.

A senior passport official explained that the new rule is intended to address the significant disparities in marriage registration practices across India. While marriages in Maharashtra are generally registered by default, many northern states do not mandate marriage registration, leaving applicants without formal documentation.

The MEA introduced the Joint Photo Declaration to accommodate applicants who often lack complete paperwork. Annexure J requires the couple to declare their names, address, and marital status, confirming that they have been living together as a married couple. The form also includes a space for a self-attested joint photograph, and both parties must sign the declaration, specifying the place and date. Additionally, the form asks for Aadhaar Card numbers, voter IDs, and passport numbers (if available) for both spouses.

Dr. Deore further clarified that the form includes a designated section for the joint photograph, and the declaration will be considered valid only if all fields are completed, including names, Aadhaar numbers, voter IDs, and passport numbers where applicable.

However, the ministry emphasized that removing a spouse’s name from a passport still requires a divorce decree or court order. To update a spouse’s name following a divorce, applicants will need to provide either a divorce decree, the death certificate of the previous spouse, a remarriage certificate, or the Joint Photo Declaration (Annexure J) signed by both parties, along with updated identity documents, including QR-code-enabled Aadhaar verification.

This change is expected to streamline the passport application process for many citizens, especially those in regions where marriage registration practices may differ.