Explainer · PAN
PAN Card Minor To Major Update Online (India, 2026)
A PAN card issued to a minor does not carry a photograph or signature, because a minor cannot sign for tax purposes. When that child turns 18, the PAN stays the same number, but the card needs to be updated to add the adult's photo and signature. This is done online as a correction or change request. This guide explains why it is needed, the documents, and the exact steps, along with the related signature and correction changes you can make at the same time.
- Why: a minor PAN has no photo or signature; at 18 you add the adult's photo and signature.
- Same number: the PAN does not change; never apply for a new PAN (two PANs are not allowed).
- How: use "Changes or Correction in existing PAN" on Protean or UTIITSL.
- Documents: proof of identity, address and date of birth, a photo and a signature.
- Fee: a small fee shown on the portal; it differs for e-PAN vs physical card.
- Do extras together: fix name, address or signature in the same request to save a second fee.
01Why a minor PAN needs updating at 18
A PAN allotted to a minor is usually applied for by a parent or guardian and does not show the minor's photograph or signature. Once the holder turns 18, that card should be updated so it carries the adult's photo and signature and works as valid photo identity.
- Banks, demat accounts, and many services need a PAN with a photo and signature for an adult.
- The update also lets you correct the name, date of birth, address and contact details if anything changed.
- There is no separate "minor to major" form; you use the normal PAN correction or change request and provide the adult's photo, signature and proof.
02The PAN number does not change
This is the most important point: updating from minor to major does not give you a new PAN. The ten-character PAN stays exactly the same for life. You are only updating the details on the card and adding the photo and signature.
One PAN for life
Holding more than one PAN is not allowed and can attract a penalty. So never apply for a fresh PAN when you turn 18. Always use the correction or change request on your existing PAN to add the adult photo and signature.
03Documents you need
For a minor to major update, you generally need:
- Proof of identity of the now-adult holder (such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID).
- Proof of address in the holder's name.
- Proof of date of birth (such as birth certificate, matriculation certificate, passport).
- A recent passport-size photograph of the adult.
- The holder's signature (uploaded or on the acknowledgement, depending on the mode).
Aadhaar is commonly used because the name, date of birth and photo can be matched. The exact accepted documents are listed on the PAN service portal; use that list as the authority. For a closer look at the papers, see PAN card correction fees online.
04How to update online, step by step
You update PAN through one of the authorised service providers: Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL. The flow is broadly the same:
- Go to the PAN services portal (Protean at protean-tinpan.com or UTIITSL at pan.utiitsl.com).
- Choose Changes or Correction in existing PAN (not a new PAN application).
- Enter the existing PAN and the holder's details.
- Tick the fields you are updating, such as photo, signature, name or address, and upload the adult photograph and signature.
- Attach the supporting documents, or complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC if offered.
- Pay the applicable fee shown on the portal.
- Submit and complete verification: either e-sign/e-KYC with Aadhaar OTP, or print the acknowledgement, sign it, affix the photo, and send it to the provider's address if physical submission is required.
- Note the acknowledgement number to track the request. The updated PAN card is sent to your address, and an e-PAN is usually available too.
You can do this yourself on the portal. The fee is small and is shown before you pay; it differs for an e-PAN versus a physical card and for an Indian versus a foreign address.
05Signature and other corrections
The same change request handles related updates, which is why many people do them together with the minor to major update:
- Signature change: select the signature field and upload or provide the new signature.
- Name correction: for a spelling fix or a change after marriage, with supporting proof.
- Date of birth or address correction: with the relevant proof.
Doing all needed changes in one request saves a second fee and a second wait. For the full process and the step-by-step on the minor to major route specifically, see how to update a PAN card from minor to major online.
06How Claw Tax helps
Claw Tax and Accounts is an online tax, GST and accounting service for India that connects you with a verified chartered accountant at a fixed, published price, with a Claw reviewer checking every filing before it is submitted.
A PAN correction or minor to major update is a free-to-do task on the government service portal, and for a straightforward case you can and should do it yourself. Help is worth it when a document does not match (a name or date of birth mismatch with Aadhaar), when the request keeps getting rejected, or when you want it checked before you submit and pay.
Claw Tax can prepare and submit the correction for you, make sure the documents match so it is accepted the first time, and do related work like your first adult income tax return. Because it is online, a verified chartered accountant handles it at a fixed, published price with a Claw reviewer on the work. See the services and prices at clawlaw.in/tax.
This is general information, not tax advice; a verified CA handles the specifics of your case.
07Frequently asked questions
Do I get a new PAN number when I update from minor to major?
No. The PAN number stays the same for life. Updating from minor to major only adds the adult's photograph and signature and lets you correct any changed details. You must never apply for a fresh PAN, because holding more than one PAN is not allowed and can attract a penalty. Always use the correction or change request on your existing PAN.
How do I update a minor PAN to major online?
Go to the PAN services portal (Protean or UTIITSL), choose Changes or Correction in existing PAN, enter the existing PAN, tick the photo and signature fields, upload the adult photo and signature, attach proof of identity, address and date of birth, pay the small fee, and complete verification by Aadhaar e-KYC or by sending the signed acknowledgement. Track it with the acknowledgement number.
What documents are needed for the minor to major PAN update?
Generally proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth in the now-adult holder's name, a recent passport-size photograph, and the holder's signature. Aadhaar is commonly used because the name, date of birth and photo can be matched. Use the accepted document list on the PAN service portal as the authority, as it is updated from time to time.
Can I change my signature on the PAN card online?
Yes. The signature is updated through the same Changes or Correction in existing PAN request. Select the signature field and upload or provide the new signature. You can combine this with a minor to major update, a name correction or an address change in one request, which saves paying a second fee and waiting a second time.
Is there a fee to update a PAN from minor to major?
Yes, a small fee applies and is shown on the portal before you pay. It differs depending on whether you want an e-PAN or a physical card and whether the delivery address is in India or abroad. The task itself can be done by you online, so the only cost is this portal fee unless you choose to have someone handle it for you.
How long does the PAN minor to major update take?
After submission and successful verification, the updated card is usually dispatched within a couple of weeks, and an e-PAN is often available sooner. The time depends on document verification and dispatch. Using the acknowledgement number, you can track the status on the service provider's portal until the updated PAN is issued.