Affidavit for Change of Signature (Passport/Bank)

**Sample PDF of the Affidavit is attached at the end.

Why this Affidavit is Used

• Signatures are a person's unique identity marker in official and financial documents.
• If you change your signature (for personal, security, or convenience reasons), an affidavit serves as an official declaration that both your old and new signatures belong to you.
• It helps prevent disputes, fraud, or rejection of applications where signature mismatch may occur.

When It is Used

• While renewing or reissuing a passport (when the signature has changed).
• For updating records in banks, insurance companies, PF accounts, or demat accounts.
• When submitting documents to government offices where previous records carry your old signature.
• In legal documents, contracts, or property dealings where authentication is required.

Purpose

• To officially declare that your new signature is genuine and replaces the old one.
• To provide a legal safeguard against forgery or disputes.
• To enable authorities like Passport Seva Kendra / Consulate / Banks / Govt. bodies to update your signature in their records.
• To attach a specimen of the new signature for verification.

FAQs

Q1. Who needs this affidavit?

Anyone who has changed their signature and wants to update it in passport, bank, or government records.

Q2. Is this affidavit compulsory for passport applications?

Yes, if your new signature doesn't match with the one in your old passport. It prevents rejection at verification.

Q3. Where should it be executed?

Generally, on stamp paper (value as per state rules), notarised before a Notary Public, Magistrate, or Consular Officer (if abroad).

Q4. Do I need to attach my old and new signatures?

Yes. The affidavit should clearly show a specimen of the new signature and mention the old signature.

Q5. Is newspaper publication required?

No. Unlike a name change affidavit, a signature change doesn't need newspaper publication.

Q6. Can banks/financial institutions accept this affidavit?

Yes. Along with their KYC forms, they usually require this affidavit for signature change requests.

Q7. Is this affidavit valid for life?

Yes, once sworn, it is a permanent declaration, unless you change your signature again.