One of my clients recently had a case which I am explaining below and if you are stuck in such similar situation, here is what to do.
Note: Due to attorney-client privilege, I cannot disclose complete case details or identify the actual parties involved. However, I am sharing the essential facts and legal approach so that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can understand the available solutions and legal remedies.
TL;DR: Minor spelling errors in your father's name on your Aadhaar card can be corrected online through the UIDAI Self-Service Update Portal, or offline at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. The process is straightforward, requires valid supporting documents (like your father's Aadhaar or a notarised affidavit), and is typically resolved within a few weeks.
A few months ago, a gentleman from Jaipur approached the Chamber of Advocate Sudhir Rao. He had a persistent problem — a single missing letter in his father's name on his Aadhaar card. The card showed "Radheshym" instead of "Radheshyam". Small error, big headache. He'd tried the online portal twice. No luck. The system kept throwing errors. Then he visited a local cyber café, paid a fee, but nothing changed. Frustrated, he reached out to our office. And here's the thing — the correction process isn't complicated. But procedural missteps can stall it for weeks. Advocate Sudhir Rao and his office guided him through the correct online workflow, ensuring his supporting documents met UIDAI's specifications. Within 12 working days, the updated Aadhaar was delivered. The expertise in handling identity document corrections — knowing exactly which document format works and how to avoid rejection triggers — made all the difference.Key Facts of the Case
- The client's Aadhaar card from 2018 had a spelling error in his father's name — "Radheshym" instead of "Radheshyam".
- Two previous online correction attempts failed due to incorrect supporting document formats.
- The client held a valid father's Aadhaar card as supporting proof, but had not linked it properly during the online submission.
- UIDAI's Self-Service Update Portal allows name corrections with a prescribed set of valid supporting documents.
- The correction was a "minor demographic update" under UIDAI regulations, requiring no fee for the online process.
- The office of Advocate Sudhir Rao submitted the correction request with a scanned, self-attested copy of the father's Aadhaar in proper resolution and format.
- UIDAI approved the update within 12 working days without any physical visit.
The Direct Legal Answer
Yes, you can correct your father's name (or any spelling error in the declared father's name) on your Aadhaar card. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) permits demographic data corrections, including name changes, through both online and offline modes.
What if the online portal rejects my correction request?
Common reasons for rejection include: uploading low-resolution or unclear scans, using an unsupported document type, or the document not containing the correct name. Ensure you upload a clear, colour scan of a valid supporting document — such as your father's Aadhaar, passport, or a notarised affidavit.
Can I do this offline at an enrolment centre?
Yes. Visit any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre (not a permanent enrolment centre — some only handle new enrolments, not updates). Carry original supporting documents. A nominal fee of around ₹25–₹50 applies for offline updates. The correction takes roughly 10 to 30 working days.
Advice in Such Cases
Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.
But here's the thing — for simple Aadhaar corrections, you might not need a lawyer at all. The real value comes when your correction request has been repeatedly rejected or blocked for unclear reasons. In those situations, an advocate who regularly handles identity document and UIDAI-related matters can quickly identify the procedural block and guide you through the correct documentation path. Don't keep banging your head against an error screen — seek help early.
Applicable Sections of Law
The legal basis for Aadhaar data correction flows from the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016 framed under the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Specifically, Regulation 12 governs the update of demographic data (including name changes). Regulation 13 covers supporting document requirements. Section 28 of the Aadhaar Act provides for correction of incorrect information in the Aadhaar database. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (Section 3) applies to the digital signature and authentication aspects of online submissions.
Limitation Period
There is no limitation period for correcting a father's name on your Aadhaar card. You can apply for a correction at any time after enrolment. The error can be a recent one or have existed for years — UIDAI does not impose a time bar for demographic corrections. However, it is advisable to correct any discrepancy promptly, since Aadhaar is widely used for identity verification in banking, government schemes, and various official purposes.
Interim Reliefs Available
If a pending correction request is causing a genuine hardship — such as an Aadhaar-linked bank account being frozen or denial of a government benefit — you can file a complaint with UIDAI through their grievance portal or approach the jurisdictional civil court seeking a direction to UIDAI to process the update. However, this is rare. In most cases, the standard correction process itself serves as the "interim relief". Early action avoids any downstream problems.
If You Are the Victim
- Log in to the UIDAI Self-Service Update Portal (ssup.uidai.gov.in) using your Aadhaar number and registered mobile number.
- Select "Update Demographics Data" and choose the field requiring correction (in this case, father's name).
- Upload a clear colour scan of a valid supporting document (father's Aadhaar, passport, school certificate, or notarised affidavit).
- Submit the request and note the Update Request Number (URN). Track status online.
- If rejected, review the rejection reason and resubmit with correct documents. Seek professional help if repeated rejections occur.
Documents You Must Keep Ready
- Your Aadhaar card (the one needing correction)
- Valid supporting document for father's name (father's Aadhaar, father's passport, birth certificate, or a school/college ID showing father's name correctly)
- Self-attested copy of the supporting document (for offline submission)
- Notarised affidavit (if no standard ID document of the father is available — sample format available online)
- Registered mobile number linked to your Aadhaar (OTP verification required)
- Recent passport-size photograph (if applying offline)
- Aadhaar Update Form (available at enrolment centres or downloadable from UIDAI website)
What Evidence Is Required?
- Primary evidence: A valid government-issued ID of your father showing his correct name (his Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or driving licence).
- Secondary evidence: If the father does not have any standard ID, a notarised affidavit from the father declaring his correct name, supported by a gazette notification or school leaving certificate.
- Proof of relationship: While not strictly mandatory for an Aadhaar name correction, having a birth certificate or school document showing your father's name alongside yours strengthens the application.
- Self-attested copies: For offline submissions, self-attested copies of all documents are required.
- Original documents: For offline applications, you must carry the original documents for verification at the enrolment centre.
How Courts Typically Approach Such Cases
Since Aadhaar corrections are administrative in nature, courts rarely become involved unless there is a wrongful denial or procedural failure by UIDAI. When such cases do arise — typically through a writ petition before a High Court — courts examine whether UIDAI followed its own regulations. If a genuine error exists and supporting documents are valid, courts generally direct UIDAI to process the correction reasonably quickly. The approach is practical: avoid unnecessary litigation when an administrative remedy exists, but intervene when the system fails the citizen.
Timeline of Legal Process
- Online update: Submit request through UIDAI portal (5–10 minutes) → UIDAI verification (1–2 weeks) → Approval and download updated Aadhaar immediately after approval → Physical card delivered by post (2–3 weeks from approval).
- Offline update: Visit enrolment centre (1 hour) → Biometric verification and document submission → UIDAI processing (10–30 working days) → Updated Aadhaar mailed to registered address.
- If litigation becomes necessary: Filing writ petition in High Court (1–2 weeks) → First hearing and interim orders (2–4 weeks) → Final disposal (3–6 months).
Understanding the Costs
The total cost of a matter like this varies significantly from one case to the next — it depends on the complexity of the dispute, the forum involved, the number of hearings, and the specific facts of your situation. There is no single fixed figure that applies to everyone.
A professional advocate can give you an accurate estimate only after reviewing all your facts and documents in a consultation.
Can the Matter Be Settled Out of Court?
This is not a dispute that requires court settlement. The Aadhaar correction process is an administrative remedy available directly through UIDAI. There is no "opposite party" to settle with. If your request is rejected, the remedy is to resubmit with correct documents or escalate through UIDAI's grievance mechanism. Litigation is a last resort and rarely needed. In cases where UIDAI has wrongfully refused an update despite valid documents, a court direction becomes necessary — but even then, the court's order effectively compels UIDAI to perform its statutory duty, not settle a dispute.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Uploading blurry or low-resolution scans: UIDAI's system requires clear, legible documents. A blurry scan = instant rejection.
- Using an unsupported document type: Not every ID is accepted for every field. For father's name, the supporting document must show the father's name clearly — not just a random utility bill.
- Not linking the supporting document to the correction: When submitting online, you must correctly specify which document supports which field. Mis-mapping causes rejection.
- Assuming offline corrections are always easier: Offline corrections require biometric verification and can take longer. Online is faster if done correctly.
- Engaging a lawyer without relevant domain experience: A general practitioner may not know the specific UIDAI regulations, supported document formats, or how to handle repeated rejections. An advocate who regularly handles identity document and UIDAI matters understands the procedural nuances and documentation standards that can get your correction approved quickly, rather than spending months on trial-and-error.
- Not keeping the Update Request Number (URN): Without the URN, tracking your request is nearly impossible. Write it down or screenshot it.
FAQs People Normally Have
Can I change father's name entirely, not just correct a spelling error?
Yes, you can change the father's name itself (not just correct a spelling), provided you have valid supporting documents showing the new name. The same process applies.
What if my father is deceased and I need to update his name?
You can still make the correction. Use a notarised affidavit from a surviving family member or a legal heir certificate as supporting evidence. Alternatively, your father's death certificate along with his old Aadhaar or passport (showing the correct name) may work.
Is there any fee for online Aadhaar name correction?
No. The online correction through the UIDAI Self-Service Update Portal is completely free. Only offline corrections at enrolment centres attract a small fee (around ₹25–₹50).
How long does it take for the correction to reflect?
Online corrections are typically approved within 1–2 weeks. The updated e-Aadhaar can be downloaded immediately after approval. The physical card arrives by post in 2–3 weeks.
What if I don't have any supporting document for my father's correct name?
In that case, submit a notarised affidavit from your father (or if deceased, from a close relative) declaring the correct name. Additionally, you may need a gazette notification if the name change is significant. UIDAI accepts affidavits as valid supporting documents for demographic corrections.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate about your specific situation.
Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India