Congratulations! You have taken the first step toward becoming a PAN Card holder. Applying for a PAN Card is a very simple and straightforward process that can be done in a few easy steps. By filling out the application form and mailing it to the right address, you are officially on your way to a PAN Card. We hope you will find the information in our blog helpful as you apply for your PAN Card and please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions or concerns.

How to apply for a PAN Card offline

1. Users must first download a copy of the Request for PAN form.
2. Duly fill out the form and ensure there are no errors or mismatches.
3. Attach the required supporting documents. Moreover, the documents include proof of address, identity and DoB along with two passport-sized photographs.
4. Submit the form at the nearest NSDL center for verification.
5. Pay the required processing fee, which amounts to INR 93 for individuals who have an Indian address and INR 864 for those with a foreign residential address. Do take care to note that both these prices are quoted without including the GST so estimate a slightly higher true price.
6. Once the center accepts the request, the applicant will receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number.
7. Please keep this number safe as it will help you track the status of your PAN Card application.

What to keep in mind while filing a letter to the Assessing Officer

Along with the Request for New PAN form, users will also have to file an official letter with the jurisdictional Assessing Officer. While the information required in the letter is similar to the offline form, there are a few things you need to keep in mind while filing the letter.

1. The letter helps in correcting your existing PAN card details, the reissue of PAN and surrender of extra PAN. Hence, make sure you tick the right option when filing the report.
2. After filing the report, you will receive an acknowledgement slip. Hence, you must send to the NSDL office.
3. The letter to the Assessing officer must reach the NSDL office before 15 days of filing the request for a new PAN.
4. The form to apply for a new PAN card and to make changes in your existing one is Form 49A. In case the applicant is a foreign national, then he or she may file Form 49AA for both purposes.
5. If you wish to apply for a duplicate PAN card with the same details, you may do so through Form 49A as well. Moreover, in such a case, you must fill the form with the details mentioned in your PAN card and not tick any field in the front of the form. The payment in such cases also remains the same.

How to change your name in the PAN Card

In certain situations, the name entered on your PAN card might not match the one on your Aadhaar card. Since this can give rise to trouble, you should change your name in your PAN to ensure a perfect match. Moreover, here’s what you need to do to update your name on your PAN card.

1. You may file an online application through either the TIN-NSDL or UTIITSL portals.
2. For online applications, the payment of the processing fee may be made via net banking. Also, you can or credit or debit cards.
3. If you wish to file an offline application, you must first download a PAN card correction form through this link.
4. Duly fill the form and cross-check all the details you provide to prevent further errors.
5. Affix a photograph on the form and sign it before submitting it at the NSDL center.
6. Along with your application, attach a Demand Draft in the NSDL’s name. Also, send it to the registered address of NSDL e-Gov office.
7. Once the application is registered, you will receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number to track your PAN card status.

In most cases, you will receive an updated PAN card after verification within 45 days. The PAN Card will not carry the cardholder’s address. However, you must fill the correct address on the form since your PAN Card will be sent to this address via post. Therefore, to make PAN card updates and corrections, you will have to file Correction form 49A offline. Moreover, forms filed online with the help of OTP verification cannot have their address updated. Hence, in such cases, the address mentioned in your Aadhaar card is taken as your PAN card address by default. Moreover, if you wish to change your address in such cases, you will first have to update the same on your Aadhaar card. Moreover, after making PAN card updates and corrections, you will have to file PAN Correction form 49A once again to have the change reflected on your PAN card.

Documents required for PAN card updates and corrections

Hence, users must upload the required supporting documents to the NSDL platform to make PAN card updates and corrections. The acknowledgment slip, form and documents must then be submitted to the nearest NSDL center at the earliest. Furthermore, here is a list of the supporting documents you will need to make changes to your PAN Card.

For individuals and HUF:

ID Proof

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Voter ID
3. Driving License
4. Passport
5. Ration card with applicant’s photo
6. Arm’s license
7. Government-issued photo ID
8. Pensioner card
9. Central Government Health Service Scheme Card
10. Ex-Servicemen Health Scheme

Residence Proof

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Voter ID
3. Driving License
4. Passport
5. Spouse’s passport
6. Post office passbook
7. Property tax assessment order
8. Domicile certificate
9. Government-issued allotment letter of accommodation
10. Property Registration Document

Age Proof

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Voter ID
3. Driving License
4. Passport
5. Matriculation certificate
6. Birth certificate
7. Government-issued ID card
8. Domicile certificate issued
9. Central Government Health Service Scheme Card
10. Ex-servicemen Health Scheme Card
11. Pension payment order
12. Marriage certificate
13. An affidavit containing DoB attested before a magistrate

If none of these is available, then applicants can submit one of the documents mentioned below;

1. Certificate in a prescribed format signed by an MP/MLA/Municipal Councillor. Moreover, this is a Gazetted Officer.
2. Bank certificate on the bank’s letterhead along with the name and stamp of the issuing officer. The certificate must contain an attested photograph of the applicant along with their bank account in a prescribed format
3. Employer certificate

Indian companies/ Indian Entities either incorporated or Unincorporated

1. Company – Registration Certificate from the RoC
2. Partnership Firm – Certificate of Registration/Partnership Deed issued. Moreover, by the Registrar of Firms
3. Limited Liability Partnership – Registration Certificate from the Registrar of LLPs
4. Trust – Trust deed or Certificate of registration issued by Charity Commissioner
5. Local Authority/Artificial Juridical Person – Registration Certificate from the Commissioner, Registrar Moreover, any competent authority or a government-issued document establishing the entity’s identity and address

For Individuals and HUFs who are not Indian citizens

Proof of Identity

1. Passport
2. Overseas Citizen of India card allotted by the Indian Government
3. Person of Indian Origin card assigned by the Indian Government
4. Duly attested Citizenship ID Number. Also, it requires a National ID Number
5. Taxpayer ID Number attested either by the Apostille. Moreover, by any the Indian Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate

Proof of Address

1. Passport
2. PIO card or OCI card
3. Non-resident external bank account statements
4. Bank account statements from the country of residence
5. NRE account statement
6. Residence Certificate or Permit in India via State Police
7. Registration certificate issued by Office of Foreigner’s Registration
8. Citizenship ID Number, National ID Number, Moreover, taxpayer ID Number attested either by the Apostille. Otherwise, by any the Indian Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate
9. Visa and Appointment letter provided by the Indian company

For Corporate Entities with no office in India:

1. Usually, a company registration certificate from the country of residence is attested by either an Apostille. Moreover, by the High Commission of the Indian Consulate
2. A certificate is required. Moreover, that should be by an authorized official of an overseas branch of a Scheduled Bank registered in India
3. Registration certificate issued in India or approved by Indian Authorities.

Reasons for correcting your name on PAN Card

1. Incorrect spelling
2. Surname change after marriage
3. Legal Name change

Also Read: Know Your Pan