Everydaything

PAN Card

Your PAN number itself never changes once it’s allotted, but almost everything printed around it can be fixed if it’s wrong or out of date. Maybe the data entry operator at the PAN centre misspelled your name, your date of birth got transposed, the photo on your card is a decade old and barely recognisable, or you got married and now your bank statements, Aadhaar, and PAN all show different names. All of these are handled through the exact same official mechanism: a PAN change request, filed online through Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL. There’s no separate “correction” process and “update” process — the Income Tax Department treats a typo fix and a post-marriage name change identically, as a request to change specific fields on an existing PAN record. This guide walks through both scenarios together: how to identify which fields need changing, exactly which documents each type of change requires, the step-by-step online process, what it costs, and how long it takes. If you’re instead trying to replace a lost or damaged card with no data changes at all, that’s a simpler, cheaper reprint process covered separately in How to Get a Duplicate PAN Card.

Quick answer: how to correct or update PAN details

Go to the Protean PAN portal (tinpan.proteantech.in) or the UTIITSL PAN portal (pan.utiitsl.com) and choose the “Changes or Correction in PAN Data” option. Select only the specific fields you need to change: name, date of birth, address, photo, signature, or father’s/spouse’s name, leave the rest untouched, and upload proof supporting each requested change (for example, a marriage certificate for a post-marriage name change, or a fresh Aadhaar/utility bill for an address update). Pay the fee, which is roughly ₹107 if you want a reprinted physical card or about ₹72 for an e-PAN only, complete Aadhaar e-KYC verification, and submit. Your PAN number stays exactly the same; only the printed details and, if requested, the physical card are reissued. Processing and dispatch typically take about two to three weeks, and you can track progress with your acknowledgment number the same way as a new application.

Correction vs. update: it’s the same process

It helps to stop thinking of “fixing a mistake” and “updating after a life change” as two different things, because the Income Tax Department doesn’t distinguish between them. Both are filed using the same PAN Change Request form (now formally organised as Form CR-01 for individuals and Form CR-02 for companies, LLPs, firms, and other entities, following the April 2026 revision of PAN application forms). The form works by presenting every field currently on your PAN record with a checkbox next to it; you tick only the fields you want to change and leave the rest as-is. Whether the reason is a data-entry error made when your PAN was first issued or a genuine change in your circumstances, like a new surname or a new home address, the mechanics of filing the request are identical.

Common reasons people file a PAN correction or update

Name spelling mistakes

This is one of the most common reasons for a correction request, a transposed letter, a missing initial, or a name that doesn’t match the spelling on your Aadhaar or passport. Since PAN increasingly needs to match Aadhaar exactly for e-KYC and tax-filing purposes, even a minor spelling mismatch is worth fixing rather than living with.

Date of birth errors

A wrong DOB can cause downstream problems, from age-based eligibility checks failing to mismatches with other ID documents during KYC. This is corrected the same way, with a DOB proof document attached to support the change.

Photo or signature issues

If your photo is outdated, unclear, or was scanned poorly when your card was first printed, or your signature has changed significantly, you can request that these be updated on a reprinted card without touching any of your personal data.

Marriage or legal name change

After marriage, many people adopt a new surname and need it reflected on their PAN to keep it consistent with updated Aadhaar, passport, and bank records. This is treated as a standard name-change correction, just supported by different documentary proof (a marriage certificate or gazette notification rather than, say, a birth certificate).

Address change

Your PAN card’s printed address is largely cosmetic for tax purposes since the department primarily uses your latest address on file for correspondence, but keeping it current still matters for KYC checks that rely on the printed card, and it’s simple to update the same way.

Documents required, by the field you’re changing

You only need to submit proof for the specific fields you’re changing, not your entire document set again. That said, every application still requires baseline identity, address, and (for individuals) date-of-birth proof, on top of whichever supporting document applies to your specific change.

Changing your name

For a spelling correction, a fresh copy of an accepted ID document showing the correct spelling (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID) is usually sufficient. For a name change due to marriage, you’ll need a marriage certificate, a copy of the marriage invitation along with a supporting affidavit, or a gazette notification, whichever your chosen portal’s document list accepts. A name change for reasons other than marriage (such as a legal name change by deed poll or gazette notification) requires the relevant gazette copy.

Correcting date of birth

A birth certificate issued by a municipal authority or the Registrar of Births, a Class X/matriculation certificate showing DOB, a passport, or an Aadhaar card with the correct date are all commonly accepted proofs.

Updating your address

A recent utility bill, bank account statement, Aadhaar card, passport, rent agreement, or property tax receipt reflecting the new address is generally accepted. Keep the document recent, most portals expect address proof no older than a few months.

Updating photo or signature

No special supporting document is needed beyond a fresh photograph and signature sample submitted (or, for a physical/paperless application, affixed) as part of the change request itself.

Across all change types, you’ll also typically need your existing PAN card or PAN allotment letter as a base reference, and, for online paperless applications, a valid Aadhaar linked to a mobile number for e-KYC verification.

Step-by-step: filing a PAN correction or update online

1. Go to the Protean PAN portal (tinpan.proteantech.in or onlineservices.proteantech.in) or UTIITSL’s PAN portal (pan.utiitsl.com), and select “Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data.”
2. Choose your applicant category (individual or entity), this determines whether you’re filing Form CR-01 or CR-02.
3. Enter your existing 10-digit PAN number, which the system uses to pull up your current record.
4. Tick the checkbox next to each field you want to change, name, DOB, address, photo, signature, father’s/spouse’s name, or others and leave every other field unchecked so it stays as-is.
5. Fill in the corrected value for each checked field.
6. Choose whether you want a reprinted physical card dispatched or an e-PAN only.
7. Upload scanned copies of the identity, address, and DOB proof, plus the specific supporting document for each field you’re changing (for example, a marriage certificate for a surname change).
8. Pay the applicable fee online via card, net banking, or UPI.
9. Complete Aadhaar e-KYC/OTP-based e-Sign verification to authenticate the request.
10. Download your acknowledgment receipt, which contains a unique 15-digit acknowledgment number and is password-protected using your date of birth (DDMMYYYY format).
11. If you applied in physical mode rather than paperless e-KYC mode, print the acknowledgment, affix a fresh photograph and signature, and courier it with self-attested copies of your supporting documents to the Protean/UTIITSL address shown on the form within 15 days.

Keep the acknowledgment number safe. It’s what you’ll use to track the request, exactly as described in PAN Card Status Tracking: How to Check Your Application Status.

A simpler option for address-only changes

If the only thing that’s changed is your address, and your Aadhaar already reflects the new one, some PAN service portals offer a lighter-weight, Aadhaar e-KYC-based address update that skips the full change-request form and document upload. It’s worth checking this option on UTIITSL or the Income Tax e-filing portal first if address is genuinely your only change, since it can be faster and sometimes free, though it doesn’t cover any other field like name, DOB, or photo.

Fees for PAN correction or update

Based on Protean’s published fee schedule, a correction request that includes a reprinted physical PAN card costs about ₹107 for an Indian communication address (roughly ₹1,017 for a foreign address), while opting for an e-PAN only, with no physical card printed or posted, brings the cost down to around ₹72 domestically. These figures are broadly consistent across Protean and UTIITSL, though it’s sensible to check the live fee page on whichever portal you use, since amounts are periodically revised by the department.

How long does a correction or update take

Once your online application, payment, and e-KYC (or courier documents, for physical mode) are complete and verified, processing generally follows the same pipeline as a new PAN application: application received, under process, PAN under printing, and dispatched. In practice, most correction requests are processed and, if a physical card was requested, dispatched by post within about 15 to 20 working days. If you opted for e-PAN only, the corrected e-PAN PDF is usually available for download from the portal well before any physical card would have arrived.

Offline correction process

If you prefer to file in person, the same “Request for New PAN Card or/and Changes or Correction in PAN Data” form (or the newer CR-01/CR-02 form, depending on when you’re filing) is available at any PAN facilitation centre run by Protean or UTIITSL. Fill it out in block letters, tick only the fields you’re changing, attach self-attested photocopies of the relevant supporting documents, affix your photograph and signature, and submit it with the fee at the centre. You’ll receive an acknowledgment slip with a tracking number, exactly as with the online paperless route.

Frequently asked questions

Does my PAN number change when I correct or update my details?

No. Your 10-character PAN number is permanent for life and never changes regardless of how many times you correct your name, date of birth, address, photo, or signature. A correction or update request only changes the details printed on the card and stored in the Income Tax Department’s records; the underlying PAN identifier stays exactly the same, which is also why you should never apply for a second, separate PAN just because your details need fixing; holding more than one PAN is not permitted.

What documents do I need to update my PAN after marriage?

You’ll need to file a PAN change request selecting the name field, along with your marriage certificate, a copy of the marriage invitation with a supporting affidavit, or a gazette notification, depending on which document type the portal you use accepts. You’ll also need your standard identity and address proof, ideally already updated to reflect your new name where possible, such as an updated Aadhaar card, to keep all your ID documents consistent.

Can I correct just my photo without changing any other details?

Yes. On the PAN change request form, you can tick only the photo (and, if needed, signature) checkbox and leave every other field, including name, DOB, and address, untouched. You’ll need to submit a fresh photograph as part of the request, and choosing a reprinted physical card is necessary since an e-PAN-only request won’t visibly reflect a photo change on a physical card you already hold.

How much does it cost to correct PAN card details?

A correction request that includes a reprinted physical card costs roughly ₹107 for delivery to an Indian address, or about ₹1,017 for a foreign address. If you only need the corrected e-PAN as a PDF, without a new physical card, the cost is typically lower, around ₹72 for a domestic application. These are the standard Protean/UTIITSL fees and can be revised periodically, so it’s worth checking the current rate on the portal before you pay.

Can I update my PAN address without submitting fresh documents?

In most cases you’ll still need to submit proof of your new address, such as a recent utility bill, Aadhaar card, or bank statement, as part of the standard change request form. However, some portals offer a separate, Aadhaar e-KYC-based address update specifically for address-only changes, which can be quicker since it relies on Aadhaar’s own verified address rather than a manually uploaded document; it’s worth checking whether this lighter-weight option is available before filing a full change request.

How long does a PAN correction take to reflect on my card?

Once your correction request is submitted, verified, and paid for, it generally moves through the same processing stages as a new PAN application. If you requested a physical card, it’s typically dispatched by post within about 15 to 20 working days of the request being accepted. If you opted for an e-PAN only, the corrected PDF is usually available for download from the portal sooner, once the request is approved.

References

1. Income Tax India – How to Apply for PAN Correction
2. Protean eGov Technologies – Correct PAN Card Details Online
3. ClearTax – New PAN Card Application Forms 2026: Form 93, 94, 95, and 96
4. Paisabazaar – PAN Card Update or Correction: How to Change Name & Address in PAN
5. UTIITSL – PAN Card Services