New Passport Rule Allows Indian Expats to Add Spouse's Name Without Marriage Certificate

With the new passport rule in effect, the Indian citizens without a marriage certificate can now add their spouse’s name to their passport. The Indian Consulate in Dubai had confirmed the implementation of the new rule.

Usually, the expats often face delays or rejection when applying for an update to their marital status on their passports without a registered marriage certificate. However, with the new rule in effect, the applicants will now only need a self-declared joint photo affidavit, reports Gulf News.

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With the latest self-attested photograph of the wife and husband, full name and residential address of the applicant in the application form, along with names and signatures along with the numbers of Aadhar cards or voter ID cards and passport numbers, the applicants can apply for the issue or reissue of their passports.

The Annexure J acts as a joint declaration for passport applicants for spouses to confirm their marital status.

The application also requires a solemn affirmation that all the information provided is accurate. In case any litigation arises, the applicant will be solely responsible for defending the case. As the expats in UAE can only reissue or renew their passports, the Annexure J form has to be submitted along with their passport renewal applications.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate also continues to provide the service of registering marriages of Indian expats. Marriages between two individuals, at least one of whom is an Indian citizen with a residence visa of the UAE, are solemnised or registered at the Consulate under India’s Foreign Marriage Act, 1969.

However, if any of the bride or groom or both are Muslims, then they will first have to register the marriage contract with a Sharia court as per the UAE laws.