Women don't need husband's signature to apply for passport: Madras High Court

22-Jun-2025

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The Madras High Court has held that it is not necessary for a woman to get the permission of her husband and take his signature before applying for a passport before the authority.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh gave the ruling in a recent order while disposing of a petition filed by Revathy. She sought a direction to the authorities to issue a fresh passport without insisting signature from her husband in a time bound manner.

The judge said the petitioner after marriage does not lose her individuality and a wife can always apply for a passport without the permission or signature of the husband in any form. 

"The practice of insisting for permission from the husband to apply for a passport, does not augur well for a society which is moving towards woman emancipation. This practice is nothing short of male supremacism", the judge added..

The judge directed the Regional Passport Office to process the application submitted by the petitioner and issue a passport in her name on her satisfying the other requirements.This process shall be completed within four weeks, the judge added.