How to Change Name in EPF?

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is among the best retirement-focused savings schemes in India. It is designed to create a crucial financial safety net for employees in the country’s organised sector. 

Since the scheme plays an important role in safeguarding the financial future, employees must ensure that the information in their EPF accounts, especially their names, is accurate and up-to-date. Even the most minor discrepancies in the name could potentially lead to complications when claiming EPF benefits or transferring the account from one employer to another.

Therefore, if there are any errors in the name, employees must change it forthwith to ensure that there are no hurdles at the time of receiving benefits. In this article, we will explore how to change a name in the EPF database, the documents that need to be submitted, and the possible reasons why employees might want to change their name in the EPF database. 

How Does the Name Correction Process in the EPF Database Work? 

Until November 2017, employees who wished to change their name in the EPF database had to file a joint request along with their employers to the concerned Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) office. Once the request is received, the EPFO office will process the same and update the name in their database. 

However, to avoid unnecessary delays that often accompany manual name change requests, the EPFO introduced an online method for changing the name. This new method cuts down on the time taken to process the application for name correction in a PF account significantly and makes the process a lot easier and simpler. 

As per the online method, employees can place a request for name correction through the Member Interface of the Unified Portal maintained by the EPFO. Once the request is placed, the portal verifies the information provided with UIDAI (Aadhaar). Upon successful verification, the request is transferred to the current employer for approval. Once the employer approves the request, it is forwarded to the concerned EPFO office, which will in turn make the necessary corrections in the database.       

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How to Change Your Name in the EPF Database Online?

If you are an employee of an organisation wanting to change your name in the EPF database online, all you need to do is follow the steps outlined below. 

• Step 1: Log into the Member Interface of the Unified Portal maintained by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password. 
• Step 2: On the dashboard, click on the ‘Manage’ tab and then on the ‘Modify Basic Details’ option.
• Step 3: Enter your name as per Aadhaar in the respective field. At this stage, you can also choose to modify other personal details, such as date of birth or gender.    
• Step 4: Once you have entered the required details, click the ‘Update Details’ button to proceed. 
• Step 5: Your request for a name change in the EPF database will be forwarded to your employer for approval. 

Once your employer approves the name correction request, it will be forwarded to the concerned EPFO field office for another layer of verification. Upon successful verification and approval by the EPFO, your name will be updated on the PF database.

How to Change Your Name in the EPF Database Offline?

Although the online method is the easiest and fastest way to change the name in the EPF database, not all individuals may be technologically inclined to do it. If you are an employee with limited technical knowledge, you can file an application for name correction in your PF account offline. Here is what you need to do. 

• Step 1: Download the joint declaration form for Member Profile Correction/Updation from the EPFO website. You can also obtain this form by visiting an EPFO field office.  
• Step 2: Fill out the form carefully. Remember to enter details such as your UAN, PF account number, Aadhaar, and the name of the organisation in which you currently work.
• Step 3: Enter your incorrect name and the correct name in their respective fields. You can also use this joint declaration form to change other personal details like your date of birth, Aadhaar number, gender, father’s or mother’s name, and marital status.    
• Step 4: Get the filled-out form signed by an authorised signatory of the organisation. 
• Step 5: Submit the joint declaration form along with all the necessary documents at the concerned EPFO field office.        

Once the joint declaration form is received, the EPFO office will verify the same and will update your name in the PF database if satisfied. 

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Documents Required For Name Change in the EPF Database 

The following documents are accepted by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation for name correction requests.

• Aadhaar (mandatory)
• Birth certificate
• PAN card
• Passport
• Driving licence
• Voter’s ID
• Ration card
• Bank passbook with the name and a cross-stamped photograph 
• School transfer or leaving certificate 
• Pensioner photo card or freedom fighter photo card
• CGHS, ECHS, or Medi-Claim card with a photograph
• Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, or Other Backward Caste certificate with photograph
• A Gazette notification clearly displaying the new name along with any of the above supporting documents with the old name (for full name or first name change requests)

Conclusion 

If you are an employee of an organisation who has recently adopted a new name on account of marriage or spotted an error in your name on the PF database, changing the name in the EPF account is a crucial step you must take forthwith. It ensures that your records are up-to-date and that you do not face any complications when claiming the benefits offered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme. 

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