Correcting Passport Birth Date: Act Early to Avoid Delays.
07 June 2024
Fundamental Rights of Citizen >> Civil & Consumer Law
A recent court case highlights the challenges of correcting a date of birth in a passport, particularly after a significant amount of time has passed.
The petitioner in this case argued that their passport contained an incorrect date of birth, with a four-year difference from their actual birthdate. They provided a birth certificate and updated school documents as evidence.
Despite the presented documents, the court dismissed the petition. The court's reasoning focused on several key factors:
- Delay: The petitioner held the passport with the erroneous date of birth for over 30 years, renewing it three times during that period. This significant delay raised questions about the petitioner's motives.
- Suspicious Intent: The court suspected the petitioner may have intentionally used the earlier date to secure employment abroad and was now seeking the change for age-related benefits.
- Legal Precedent: The court cited previous rulings that limit the ability to change birthdates, especially when such changes could impact employers who relied on the passport information.
- Passport Integrity: The court emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate and reliable information within passports to ensure their validity and security.
This case serves as a reminder that individuals seeking to correct a date of birth in their passport should act promptly and have a clear justification for the change. Delays and inconsistencies can raise doubts and make approval difficult.