PAN Card · How and Why
Update PAN Card From Minor To Major Online (India, 2026)
A PAN issued to a minor does not carry the holder's photograph or signature, because a child cannot sign. When that child turns 18, the PAN stays valid, but it should be updated so it shows a photo and signature and can be used as photo ID for a bank account, salary or investments. This guide explains how to update a PAN from minor to major online, and covers the related tasks people search for at the same time: name change after marriage, linking PAN with Aadhaar, and updating the mobile number on your PAN.
- PAN number stays the same: a minor-to-major update refreshes the card with a photo and signature; it is not a new PAN.
- Form used: "Changes or Correction in existing PAN data" on Protean (Protean, ex-NSDL) or UTIITSL.
- Easiest proof: Aadhaar can cover identity, address and date of birth in one document.
- Name after marriage: use a marriage certificate or an ID already showing the new name; keep PAN and Aadhaar names matching.
- PAN-Aadhaar link: mandatory for most taxpayers; an unlinked PAN can become inoperative. Link at incometax.gov.in.
- Mobile update: update contact details on both the income tax portal profile and the PAN record.
01What "minor to major" actually means
Your PAN number itself does not change when you turn 18. The ten-character PAN stays with you for life. What changes is the card: a minor's PAN is issued without a photograph and signature, and once the holder becomes an adult, those details should be added so the card works as valid photo identification.
This is done through a "Changes or Correction in PAN" request, the same online form used for any PAN update. You are not applying for a new PAN. You are updating the existing one with a photo, a signature and, usually, the current address and contact details.
You do not get a new PAN number
Holding more than one PAN is not allowed. A minor-to-major update keeps the same PAN and simply refreshes the card. Never apply for a fresh PAN when you already have one.
02Documents you need
For a minor-to-major update you generally need proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth, all in the adult holder's name, plus a recent photograph and signature.
| Requirement | Common documents accepted |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, driving licence |
| Proof of address | Aadhaar, passport, bank statement, utility bill |
| Proof of date of birth | Aadhaar, birth certificate, passport, matriculation certificate |
| Photo and signature | Recent passport-size photo; signature in the box provided |
Aadhaar is the simplest option because it can serve as proof of identity, address and date of birth at once. The exact list of accepted documents is published on the portals below, so check it before you upload.
03Step by step: update PAN minor to major online
You can file the update yourself, free of the service we offer, on either authorised portal: Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL. There is a small statutory processing fee charged by the portal.
- Go to the Protean PAN services site at protean-tinpan.com or UTIITSL at pan.utiitsl.com.
- Choose "Changes or Correction in existing PAN data / Reprint of PAN card".
- Enter the existing PAN and fill in the current name, date of birth and address.
- Select Aadhaar-based e-KYC and e-sign where offered, so you can submit a photo and signature digitally without posting anything.
- Upload the supporting documents, pay the fee online, and note the acknowledgement number.
- Track the request with the acknowledgement number until the updated card is dispatched and the e-PAN is available for download.
If Aadhaar e-KYC is not possible, the portal lets you send signed physical documents by post instead, which takes longer.
04Name change in PAN after marriage
A name change after marriage uses the same "Changes or Correction in PAN" form. You enter the new name and attach a document that supports it.
- Proof of the new name: a marriage certificate, or a passport, Aadhaar or gazette notification already showing the new name.
- If you changed your surname, a marriage certificate plus an ID in the new name is usually enough.
- Consistency matters: the name on PAN should match the name on Aadhaar, otherwise PAN-Aadhaar linking and return filing can fail.
For the full checklist, see documents required for change of name in PAN card.
05Link PAN with Aadhaar
Linking PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for most taxpayers. An unlinked PAN can become inoperative, which blocks return filing, higher TDS and some bank transactions.
- Go to incometax.gov.in and open the "Link Aadhaar" service.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar and verify with the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-registered mobile.
- If a late fee applies, pay it first under the relevant challan, then complete the linking.
A late fee is payable for linking after the government deadline (as notified under the Income-tax law). For the current amount and process, see Aadhaar and PAN card link fees.
06Update the mobile number on PAN
There is no separate "mobile number" field printed on the PAN card, but your contact details are held against the PAN record and the income tax portal. You update them in two places:
- Income tax portal: log in at incometax.gov.in and update the contact mobile and email under your profile.
- PAN record: use the "Changes or Correction in PAN" form on Protean or UTIITSL to refresh the contact details held with the PAN.
Keeping the mobile current matters because OTPs for e-verification, linking and refunds are sent there.
07How 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 minor-to-major update, a name change or an Aadhaar link is something you can do yourself for free on the government portals above, and for a simple case that is often the right choice. People come to Claw Tax and Accounts when a correction keeps getting rejected, when the name on PAN and Aadhaar do not match, or when they would simply rather have it done right and checked. A verified chartered accountant handles the filing at a fixed, published price, a Claw reviewer checks it before submission, and you get reminders for anything that follows, such as your next return.
This is an online service, not a local office, and it is not tax advice; a verified CA handles your specifics.
08Frequently asked questions
Does my PAN number change when I turn 18?
No. The ten-character PAN stays with you for life. When you turn 18 you only update the card so it carries your photograph and signature and can be used as photo ID. You do this through the "Changes or Correction in PAN" form, not by applying for a new PAN.
Can I update a PAN from minor to major fully online?
Yes, in most cases. On Protean or UTIITSL you can choose Aadhaar-based e-KYC and e-sign, upload the photo and signature digitally, pay the fee online and avoid posting any documents. If e-KYC is not possible, you can send signed physical documents by post instead.
What documents do I need for a minor-to-major PAN update?
Proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth in the adult holder's name, plus a recent photograph and signature. Aadhaar is the simplest because it can serve as all three proofs. Always check the current accepted-document list on the portal before uploading.
How do I change my name on PAN after marriage?
Use the same "Changes or Correction in PAN" form, enter the new name and attach proof such as a marriage certificate, or a passport or Aadhaar already showing the new name. Make sure the updated PAN name matches your Aadhaar, or PAN-Aadhaar linking and return filing can fail.
Is linking PAN with Aadhaar still required in 2026?
For most taxpayers, yes. An unlinked PAN can become inoperative, which blocks return filing, can trigger higher TDS and may affect some bank transactions. Link it under the "Link Aadhaar" service at incometax.gov.in, paying any applicable late fee first. Check the portal for the current fee and deadline.
How do I update the mobile number on my PAN?
Update it in two places: your profile on the income tax portal at incometax.gov.in, and the PAN record itself through the "Changes or Correction in PAN" form on Protean or UTIITSL. Keeping the mobile current matters because OTPs for e-verification, linking and refunds are sent to it.