If a person changes his religion and then wants to change his name in the passport, then it is easy to do so. However, if any person changes the name according to the Passport Act, then he will have to follow strict rules. However, It is not obligatory that they should do so.
No provision for changing the name based on religion in Passport Act:
There is no such provision in the Passport Act that any person may have to change his name after changing religion. It is entirely up to the person to change his name or not. There is no religion column in Indian passport.
Process to change the name:
If a person wants to change the names of all important documents including passports on the basis of their religion then he will have to publish it in the official gazette. For this, the person must first publish the information through the advertisement in the newspaper.
Advertise in 2 newspapers:
According to the rules, advertising in two separate national newspapers will be published, out of which one newspaper is being published on his permanent address and the second on his temporary address.
Total Expenses:
For the publication in public gazette, Rs 1700 will be spent. An affidavit (Annexure E) given by the cutting of the advertisement published in the newspaper, marriage certificate and notary will be required. After this your changed name will be published in the official gazette. Names can be changed in all important documents including passports on the basis of the official gazette.
Change of name after marriage:
After marriage, if a person has changed his name due to change of religion, then whether he has to convert it to a passport or not depends on his wish. None of the officers of the passport department can pressurize to do so, that they change it on the basis of their husbands' religion or surname.