How to Correct or Update Details on Your PAN Card
Correct name, date of birth, address, photo, or signature on an existing PAN card online through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL — documents required, what can be changed, and how long it takes.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- protean-tinpan.com ↗
- Application Mode
- Online & Offline
- Validity
- Lifetime
- Issuing Authority
- Income Tax Department (ITD)
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Available
Correcting details on an existing PAN card — name, date of birth, address, photo, or signature — is done through the same portal used for new PAN applications: Protean (protean-tinpan.com, formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL (pan.utiitsl.com).
The key distinction: when applying, always choose "Changes or Correction in existing PAN data", never "New PAN". Creating a second PAN is a legal offence under the Income Tax Act.
The most common corrections are name spelling errors (especially after marriage or a gazette name change) and date of birth mismatches between Aadhaar and PAN — the latter causes issues with ITR filing and PAN-Aadhaar linking.
Before applying: if the correction involves your name, update your Aadhaar name first so your documents are consistent. Submitting a PAN correction with an Aadhaar still showing the old name weakens your proof and may delay processing.
Eligibility
- You already hold a valid PAN card and need to update or correct one or more details.
- Correction of name, date of birth, gender, address, photo, or signature is applicable.
- Linking a new Aadhaar after a name change is handled separately on the Income Tax portal.
Required documents
Proof of identity (for name correction)
OptionalProves the corrected name is legally yours — essential for name corrections and updates.
Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence, or birth certificate — the document must show the correct name you want on the PAN.
PDFJPGProof of date of birth (for DOB correction)
OptionalEstablishes the correct date of birth when it was incorrectly entered in the original PAN record.
Birth certificate, school leaving certificate (TC), matriculation certificate, or passport showing the correct DOB.
PDFJPGProof of address (for address update)
OptionalConfirms the updated address for PAN records — determines where the new card is dispatched.
Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, utility bill (not more than 3 months old), or bank statement.
PDFJPGProof of name change (if legally changed)
OptionalDocuments the legal basis for the name change — required when the correction is due to marriage, gazette, or court order.
Marriage certificate (for name change on marriage), gazette notification, or court order — whichever is applicable.
PDFJPGExisting PAN card copy
RequiredAllows the system to locate your existing PAN record and confirm which card needs to be corrected.
Copy of your current PAN card for reference.
PDFJPGPassport-size photograph
OptionalReplaces the existing photo printed on the PAN card.
Required if updating photo. Recent colour photo with white background.
JPG
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL portal
Go to protean-tinpan.com (Protean / NSDL) or pan.utiitsl.com (UTIITSL). Both accept PAN correction requests. Protean is the more widely used option.
protean-tinpan.com ↗ - 2
Select 'Changes or Correction in PAN data'
On the application form page, choose the option for 'Changes or Correction in existing PAN data / Reprint of PAN Card' (not 'New PAN'). Application Type: Changes or Corrections in PAN data.
- 3
Enter your existing PAN
Enter your current 10-character PAN number. The system retrieves your existing details.
- 4
Fill the correction form
The form mirrors a fresh PAN application but pre-fills your current details. Tick the checkbox next to each field you want to change — name, DOB, gender, address, photo, or signature — and enter the corrected information.
- 5
Upload supporting documents
Upload scans of the proof documents corresponding to each field you are changing. Documents must be clear, within size limits, and in JPG/PDF format.
- 6
Pay the application fee
Pay online via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card. For Indian addresses, the fee is in the range of ₹107 (inclusive of GST). For foreign addresses the fee is higher.
- 7
Submit and note the acknowledgement number
After submission, note the 15-digit acknowledgement number. Use this to track your application status on the Protean portal.
- 8
Receive updated PAN card
The corrected PAN card is dispatched by post to your registered address. An e-PAN (PDF) is also sent to your registered email once the correction is processed.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
protean-tinpan.com
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Income Tax Department, Government of India
- Approving Officer
- Jurisdictional Assessing Officer
- For Offline Applications
- Protean (NSDL) facilitation centres or UTIITSL offices across India
What happens after applying
- 1
Correction form submitted
You select the fields to correct, upload proof documents, pay the fee, and receive a 15-digit acknowledgement number.
- 2
Document verification
Protean or UTIITSL verifies the uploaded proofs against the correction request. e-KYC via Aadhaar speeds up verification.
- 3
Income Tax Department update
After verification, the IT Department updates the PAN record in the central database.
- 4
e-PAN issued
A corrected e-PAN PDF is emailed to your registered email address.
- 5
Physical card dispatched
The corrected printed PAN card is dispatched by India Post Speed Post to your registered address.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Selecting 'New PAN' instead of 'Correction'
Why: Applying for a new PAN when you already have one creates a duplicate, which is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.
Fix: Always choose 'Changes or Correction in existing PAN data / Reprint of PAN Card' — never 'New PAN'.
Submitting correction without updating Aadhaar first
Why: If your Aadhaar still shows the old name or DOB, uploading Aadhaar as proof for a PAN name correction weakens your case.
Fix: Update Aadhaar first (at an enrolment centre for name/DOB changes), then use the updated Aadhaar as proof for PAN correction.
Not ticking the checkboxes next to the field being corrected
Why: The correction form requires you to tick a checkbox next to each field you're changing. Unticked fields are not updated even if you entered new data.
Fix: Review every field you're changing and ensure the checkbox beside it is selected before proceeding.
Uploading the wrong proof for the correction type
Why: Each type of correction requires specific proof. Submitting an address document for a name correction, for instance, leads to rejection.
Fix: Match proof type to correction type: name → identity proof; DOB → date-of-birth proof; address → address proof; name change → marriage certificate or gazette.
Not re-checking PAN-Aadhaar link after correction
Why: If you corrected your name or DOB, the existing PAN-Aadhaar link may become invalid and your PAN can turn inoperative.
Fix: After the corrected PAN is issued, verify the PAN-Aadhaar link status on the Income Tax e-Filing portal and re-link if needed.
Special situations
Name correction where Aadhaar shows different name from birth certificate▾
The Aadhaar name is what the IT Department primarily uses. If there's still a mismatch, you may need an affidavit from a notary or gazette notification. Submit all three — Aadhaar, birth certificate, and affidavit.
DOB correction where the difference is more than one year▾
Large DOB discrepancies are scrutinised carefully. The IT Department may request additional corroboration beyond a birth certificate — a school leaving certificate or matriculation sheet is stronger evidence.
PAN correction for a deceased person's estate▾
The legal heir or executor of the estate can request corrections on behalf of a deceased PAN holder. Legal heir certificate and death certificate are required.
Gender correction on PAN▾
Gender corrections require a court order or gazette notification — personal affidavit alone is typically not sufficient. Allow extra time for this correction.
Correcting PAN when it is showing as 'inoperative' due to PAN-Aadhaar delinking▾
You must first correct the PAN details, then re-link PAN with Aadhaar, and finally wait for the IT Department to reactivate the PAN. All three steps must be completed in sequence.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a PAN correction take?▾
Typically 15–20 working days from the date of submission for physical card dispatch. The e-PAN is usually issued faster, often within a week.
Can I correct my PAN name online without visiting an office?▾
Yes — the entire process on Protean or UTIITSL is online. Physical visit is not required if your documents match the correction.
What if my Aadhaar shows a different name than what I want on PAN?▾
Update your Aadhaar name first (at a UIDAI enrolment centre), then apply for PAN correction using the updated Aadhaar as proof.
Will my PAN number change after correction?▾
No. Your PAN number (the 10-character alphanumeric code) remains the same. Only the details printed on the card and in the database change.
Can I correct DOB on PAN?▾
Yes — submit a valid date-of-birth proof (birth certificate, school TC, or passport) showing the correct DOB. The Income Tax Department will update it.
Do I need to re-link PAN with Aadhaar after correction?▾
If your name or DOB changed, the existing PAN-Aadhaar link may become invalid. Re-verify the link status on the Income Tax e-Filing portal after the correction is processed.
Can I correct my address on PAN?▾
Yes. Submit any valid address proof showing the correct address. The physical card is dispatched to the corrected address.
How do I change the photo on my PAN card?▾
Submit a recent passport-size photo on the Protean or UTIITSL portal. Tick the 'photo' checkbox in the correction form and upload the new photo.
What if my application for PAN correction is rejected?▾
A rejection reason is provided. Common reasons include blurry documents, insufficient proof, or a mismatch between the form and the uploaded documents. Fix the issue and resubmit.
Can I do a PAN correction if my PAN is inoperative?▾
Yes. Submit the correction to update the details, then complete the PAN-Aadhaar linking to reactivate the PAN. Both steps are needed.
Is the e-PAN issued after correction as valid as the corrected physical card?▾
Yes. The corrected e-PAN (digitally signed PDF) is fully valid for all tax and KYC purposes.
Can I correct multiple fields in a single application?▾
Yes. Tick all the checkboxes corresponding to the fields you want to correct and upload the matching proofs. Multiple corrections can be done in one submission.
How do I track my PAN correction application?▾
Use the 15-digit acknowledgement number on the Protean or UTIITSL portal's status check page to see the current status.
What is the fee for PAN correction?▾
For Indian addresses, the fee is approximately ₹107 (inclusive of GST). For foreign addresses, a higher fee applies. Fees may be updated — confirm on the portal before paying.
Can I apply for PAN correction for a company or HUF?▾
Yes. Non-individual entities (companies, HUFs, trusts, firms) can also apply for PAN corrections using the same Protean or UTIITSL route with entity-specific supporting documents.
Official sources
- Protean (NSDL e-Gov) — PAN Correction ↗
protean-tinpan.com
Primary authorised channel for PAN corrections and reprints.
- UTIITSL — PAN Card Correction ↗
pan.utiitsl.com
Second authorised channel — identical fees and process to Protean.
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal — PAN-Aadhaar Link ↗
incometax.gov.in
Verify and re-link PAN-Aadhaar after a name or DOB correction.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.