Updating Your Voter ID After Marriage
After marriage, you can update your voter ID online through the Election Commission's voter services portal or app. Use Form 8 to correct entries such as your name, or to shift your registration if you moved to a new address, attaching proof such as the marriage certificate or new address proof. Your EPIC number generally stays the same, and an updated card is issued.
- Form
- Form 8 (correction or shifting of residence)
- Where
- Election Commission voter services portal or app
- Proof for name
- Marriage certificate or other accepted document
- Proof for address
- Accepted address proof at the new address
- EPIC number
- Generally unchanged
Marriage often means a new name, a new home, or both. Your voter ID should reflect where you actually live, so you can vote in the right constituency, and many couples also want the name on it to match their other documents. The Election Commission’s online services make this a simple process. This guide explains how.
What you might need to change
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| New surname, same address | Correct your name with Form 8 |
| Same name, new address in the same constituency | Update the address with Form 8 |
| New address in a different constituency or state | Shift your registration with Form 8 |
| New name and new address | Include both changes as the portal allows |
Before you apply
- Register your marriage and get the certificate, if you are changing your name.
- Update Aadhaar with your new name or address, for consistent documents.
- Have your EPIC number (the number on your voter ID card) ready.
How to apply online
- Go to the Election Commission’s voter services portal or use the voter helpline app.
- Log in or register with your mobile number.
- Choose Form 8 for correction of entries or shifting of residence.
- Enter your EPIC number and select the changes you need.
- Upload proof: the marriage certificate for the name, and address proof for the new address.
- Submit and note the reference number.
- Track the status; an electoral officer may verify your details, sometimes with a field visit.
- Receive the updated card or download the e-EPIC, where available.
Documents
| Change | Proof |
|---|---|
| Name after marriage | Marriage certificate (other proofs may be accepted) |
| Address | Aadhaar, passport, bank passbook, utility bill, registered rent agreement, or other accepted proof |
| Identity | Aadhaar or another accepted document |
Shifting your registration
If you moved to your spouse’s home in a different constituency or state, shift your registration rather than applying fresh. Shifting removes your entry from the old roll and adds it to the new one, so you do not end up on two rolls, which is not allowed.
After the update
- Download the e-EPIC if available.
- Check your entry on the electoral roll search.
- Keep the old card until the new one arrives.
Why updating matters
Your vote counts in the constituency where you ordinarily live. After marriage, many women move to a new home in a different constituency, sometimes in another state. If the voter registration stays at the old address, you may have to travel back to vote, or you may find you cannot vote at all if your old entry is removed after verification. Updating keeps your vote where your life is.
Your voter ID is also an accepted identity and address document for many services, so keeping it current reduces mismatches with Aadhaar and other records.
Name changes and the roll
The electoral roll lists your name as registered. If you change your surname after marriage, the roll will continue to show your old name until you file Form 8 for correction. You can still vote with the old entry if you can be identified, but a matching name makes identification simpler.
Timing around elections
Electoral rolls are periodically revised, and updates may be frozen close to an election. If an election is coming up, apply well in advance so the change is processed in time. Check the Election Commission’s announcements for revision schedules in your state.
Moving to Delhi from another state
If you married and moved to Delhi from another state, shift your registration to your new Delhi constituency using Form 8. You will need proof of your Delhi address, such as an updated Aadhaar, a registered rent agreement or a utility bill. After shifting, your old entry is removed, so you are on only one roll.
Checking your entry
After your update is approved, search for your entry on the Election Commission’s portal using your EPIC number or details. Confirm your name, address, polling station and part number. If anything is wrong, file a further correction.
Couples registering together
If both spouses moved to a new constituency, each files their own Form 8. Doing them together, with the same address proof, keeps the household’s entries consistent on the roll.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a new voter ID instead of shifting, creating duplicate entries.
- Spelling the name differently from Aadhaar.
- Uploading unclear documents.
- Not checking the roll after the update.
- Forgetting to update before an election deadline.
Worked example: moving to a new constituency
After marrying, Simran moves from Laxmi Nagar to her husband’s home in Dwarka. She submits Form 8 to shift her registration and change her surname, uploading the marriage certificate and her updated Aadhaar. After verification, her entry appears on the Dwarka roll.
Worked example: name only
Kavya changes her surname after marriage but stays at the same address. She files Form 8 for correction of her name with the marriage certificate and downloads the updated e-EPIC.
Checklist
- EPIC number handy
- Marriage certificate for a name change
- New address proof for a shift
- Aadhaar updated with the same name
- Form 8 submitted and reference number saved
- Roll entry checked after approval
Worked example: moving from Bihar to Delhi
Anjali married and moved from Patna to her husband’s home in Rohini. Her voter registration was still in Patna. She updated her Aadhaar to the Rohini address, then filed Form 8 online to shift her registration to her Delhi constituency and correct her surname, uploading the marriage certificate and the updated Aadhaar. After verification, her entry appeared on the Delhi roll and was removed from Patna’s.
If you keep your maiden name
You only need to shift your registration if you have moved. No name correction is needed. Many women who keep their maiden name still update their address so that they can vote locally.
Key terms explained
- EPIC: Electors Photo Identity Card, the voter ID.
- Electoral roll: the list of registered voters for a constituency.
- Form 8: the Election Commission form for correction of entries and shifting of residence.
- e-EPIC: a digital version of the voter ID.
One-line takeaway
Use Form 8 online to correct your name and shift your registration after marriage, with the marriage certificate and new address proof.
Your marriage certificate comes first
WedProof registers your marriage so you have the proof every update needs. Use the form on this page for a free check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my name on my voter ID after marriage?
Submit Form 8 for correction of entries on the Election Commission's voter services portal or app, with proof of the name change.
How do I move my voter registration to my husband's address?
Use Form 8 for shifting of residence, with proof of your new address.
Can I do both in one application?
Form 8 covers correction of entries and shifting; follow the portal's options to include the changes you need.
Does my EPIC number change?
Generally no. Your EPIC number stays the same.
What if I moved to another state?
You can shift your registration to the new constituency using Form 8, following the portal's process.
How long does it take?
Applications are verified by the electoral officer, often including a field visit; it can take a few weeks.
Can I vote while my update is pending?
You can vote where your name currently appears on the roll, subject to election rules.
Is it compulsory to update my voter ID after marriage?
It is not compulsory to change your name, but you should register at your ordinary place of residence.
What if I am on two electoral rolls?
Being on more than one roll is not allowed. Shifting your registration removes the old entry.
Can I use my marriage certificate as address proof for voter ID?
The marriage certificate proves the name change; use a separate accepted document as address proof.
Can my husband file Form 8 for me?
Each voter usually files their own form, though family members can help fill it in.
Do I need to surrender my old voter ID card?
Follow the instructions you receive; the EPIC number usually continues.
Can I change my voter ID name to my maiden name later?
Yes, by filing a further correction with supporting proof.
Is there a fee for Form 8?
Voter registration services are generally free.
What if the field verification officer visits when I am out?
Officers may contact you or a family member. Keep your phone number updated in the application.
Will I get a new physical card?
An updated card is usually issued, and an e-EPIC may be downloadable.
Can I apply offline?
Yes, through the electoral registration office or booth level officer, with the same form.