Embassy of India 
Berne 
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NOTICE 

It has been observed that Passport applicants mostly use their full name (Example: Jaspreet Kaur) in the passports as the “Given Name” (Jaspreet Kaur) and do not split their name into “Given Name” (Jaspreet) and “Surname” (Kaur). 

This practice has led to considerable inconvenience, especially when the local immigration, taxation, and civil registration authorities mandate clear distinction between “Given Name” and “Surname” for issuance of residency permits and other identity documents. 

Consequently, a significant number of applicants are compelled to seek re-issuance of passports solely for the purpose of splitting their names, thereby causing avoidable hardships to the applicants. 

Given the international importance of split name, it is advised that all applicants may correctly fill the “Given Name” and “Surname” fields in their passport applications, while submitting reissue application online. 

It is further clarified that the above instructions are advisory in nature, hence applicants are not compelled to alter their name or adopt/furnish surname, if they do not wish do so. 

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