Gazette Name Change in India

If you have to change name in India for any legal reasons, the Gazette name change process is the official way to go for name change or modification due to marriage, personal preference, religion, or spelling correction. The process involves official documentation, newspaper publication, and Gazette notification. In this blog, we will explain steps for name change in India using the Gazette system including affidavit preparation, process Gazette notification for name change ,newspaper ads, and updating your ID documents.

Gazette name change

Gazette name change sounds like a complicated. It simply means the official name changing procedure. In India, your birth name can be changed legally with a gazette notification. Thus, gazette name change notification is the official and legal name change record for a particular individual for all official purposes going forward in the future.

After changing name on Gazette, you can apply name change on documents like their passport, driving license, and RC in India.

Quick steps for name change process in India

• Create a name change affidavit
• Publish newspaper advertisements
• Apply for Gazette notification for name change
• Gazette publication

Reasons for Gazette name change in India

Gazette name change involves changing names for official records in India. It happens mainly for personal reasons like:

• Marriage: Women change their names after getting married and add their husband’s surname for the official records.
• Divorce: Women can change back to their maiden names or even go for a new name altogether after a divorce with a gazette name change.
• Error Correction: If there is a spelling error in a birth certificate or hospital records for an individual’s name, it can be officially corrected with a gazette notification. It can also be used to correct birthdate, time errors.
• Dislike of Current Name: If a person does not like his or her birth name, wants to choose a new name for himself/herself.
• Gender Change: A person can adopt a new name that matches their current gender identity.
• Religious Conversion: A person can change names after converting from one religion to another legally and take up a suitable name to match their identity.
• Adoption: A person can choose the family’s name if they get adopted.
• Political Reasons: You can choose to change your name for political reasons too.
• Identity Change: Sometimes, people can lose their surnames; add new surnames, or change names as a part of their broader beliefs.

Eligibility for Gazette name correction in India

The eligibility criteria for a Gazette Name Correction in India are as follows:

• The individual must be a citizen of India.
• They must possess a valid reason for changing their name. If the reason is deemed illogical, the application may be rejected.
• They must have an official ID proof in their old name. If the person has changed names several times, he must possess all the records and IDs of the all the old names for their next name change application.
• The person should not be an insolvent. It means he should not have any criminal charges against him.
• In case of a minor, their guardian or parent can easily apply for a change. Here, a minor refers to a person who is not 18 years old.

Documents required for Gazette name change

The following documents are required for changing names legally in India:

• An affidavit properly endorsed by the applicant and notarized by a Judicial Magistrate or Notary.
• The original publication in which the Name Change advertisement appears.
• The required form (must be typed on a computer rather than handwritten) featuring the signatures of the Applicant and Two Witnesses.
• A Compact Disc (C.D.) containing the digital version (typed text, not a scanned image) of the application in MS Word format. Instead of the applicant’s signature, the applicant’s former name must be typed, and witness information need not be included.
• A certificate where the applicant asserts that the contents in both the soft copy and hard copy are identical and accurate. The applicant must duly sign this certificate.
• Two passport-sized photographs, each self-signed by the applicant.
• A photocopy of a valid identification proof, self-signed by the applicant.
• A request letter accompanied by the appropriate fee as stipulated by the Authority.

Change of name procedure in India

To legally change your name via the Gazette of India , here’s a clear step‑by‑step guide:

Step 1: Affidavit Submission

• Pay your local notary a visit and make a request for an affidavit regarding a change of name. The notary will tell you which stamp paper to buy, based on the value required for the name change affidavit.
• Once you have the stamp paper, fill in the following details:
  • Full name of the applicant (deponent)
  • Father’s name or husband’s name (in case of married women)
  • Full residential address
  • Reason for name Change
  • Details of the New Name
  • A declaration stating that the facts provided in the affidavit are absolutely correct and true.
• Once you have printed the affidavit on stamp paper, have two witnesses sign it.
• Both the witnesses must be of gazette officer rank. The document must bear the signature of the gazette officer along with their stamp (rubber stamp).
• Preserve the original document and make electronic copies as well as hard copies of the document for future use.
• The applicant may choose the format provided below, to create an affidavit for change of name:

Affidavit format for Name change

I, [Your Full Old Name], son/daughter/wife of [Father’s/Husband’s Name], born on [Date of Birth], currently residing at [Your Full Address with PIN Code], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:

• That I am a citizen of India by birth
• That my name has been recorded as [Your Old Name] in all official documents, records, and certificates.
• That I have changed my name from [Your Old Name] to [Your New Name] for (choose your reason).
• That hereafter, I will be known and recognized by the name [Your New Name] only, for all purposes.
• That this affidavit is executed to record my name change and to notify concerned authorities and individuals.
• I declare that the facts stated above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Place: [City]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Deponent Signature
(Signature of the person changing the name)

Verification
I, the deponent above-named, do hereby verify that the contents of this affidavit are true and correct to my knowledge and belief.

Verified at: [City]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Deponent Signature

Step 2: Newspaper publication

• Once you have created the affidavit, you need to publish a notice in a local newspaper announcing your name change.
• The applicant needs to select two popular newspapers. One published in the official language of the state in which they stay, and an English language daily.
• For example, if you stay in Delhi, you can opt for Dainik Bhaskar (a Hindi language daily), and The Hindu/ Times of India (English language daily newspapers).
• Once you have made the choice of newspapers, you must send a request to them clearly mentioning the following details. The details as current full name, requested/ new full name, date of birth, and the physical address of the residence where you are currently staying.
• The applicant may choose the format provided below, to publish an advertisement for change of name in a newspaper:

I, _____ (old name), residing at _____ (complete postal address), have changed my name from _____ (old name) to _____ (new name) by affidavit sworn before notary _____ (name of notary), _____ (place) on _____ (date).

Step 3: Gazette notification for name change

You have to prepare the above given documents and apply for the Gazette Change at the e-portal by submitting the name change application and payment receipt. Once you have arranged all the supporting documents, put them in an A4 size envelope before sending it to the address mentioned below-

The Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054

• The office of the Controller of Publication will send the necessary information, as well as copies of the Gazette on which the notification or advertisement has been published.

NOTE: The address in the identity proof should be the same as the one mentioned in the newspaper advertisement and the affidavit. Any mismatch in the addresses may result in the rejection of the application.

REQUEST LETTER FORMAT (TYPE IT ON A4 SHEET)

To The Controller of Publication
Department of Publication, Civil Lines,
Behind Old Vidhan Sabha
Behind Vidhan Sabha Metro Station, Delhi – 110054

SUBJECT : REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF NAME MAJOR/MINOR/PUBLIC NOTICE/CHANGE OF RELIGION ETC.

Sir, I wish to change name/father’s name/mother’s name/my religion/minor son’s/daughter’s from (Old name/wrong name ________) to (New name/real name __________).

Kindly notify the same in Gazette of India (Weekly – Part IV)

I have completed all the requisite formalities in this respect.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

Signature of Applicant _
Name of Applicant ____
Full correspondence address of Applicant

Mobile No. of applicant _
Email ID of applicant __

Processing time for Gazette notification

The processing time of publishing a name change in the Gazette of India typically takes 1 to 2 months from the date of application submission. The exact timeline can vary slightly depending on the efficiency of the relevant government offices and any potential issues with the application

Once your name change is published in the Gazette of India or State Gazette, it becomes legally valid. The next crucial step is to update your new name across all personal and official documents to ensure consistency and avoid future legal or identity issues. You can go for name change for following purposes:

• Name Change after Marriage
• Passport name change
• Name change on driving licence
• Birth Certificate Name Change
• Name change on PAN Card

Name Change after marriage

• Indian women who wish to change their last name after marriage, are required to furnish one of the following two documents additionally:

Option 1: Proof of marriage in the form of a marriage certificate issued by the office of the registrar

Option 2: A joint affidavit on a stamp paper that clearly mentions your marriage details such as

1. old name with the father’s name and address
2. a new name with husband’s name and address
3. date of marriage

To make the affidavit legally valid, the applicant must attach a photograph of the husband and wife together, and a notarization fee is required to be paid for each document.

• Next, the married woman would be required to change her name on her PAN card, passport, driving licence and any kind of banking and finance documents such as loans papers, insurance documents or investments.

Passport Name Change

• Women who wish to change their name after marriage need to apply for the re-issuance of a new passport. They should procure the miscellaneous application form (Form No. II) from the Passport office for a nominal fee, or download the form from the official website.
• Along with the form, the applicant is required to submit the following necessary and supporting documents:

1. a copy of the husband’s passport
2. an attested copy of the marriage certificate, issued by the office of the registrar
3. a photograph of the husband and wife together

• After arranging all the documents, the applicant should schedule an appointment with the passport application centre.
• Make sure that you visit the passport centre on the date and time fixed by the passport office, along with the necessary documents, and make the submission, along with the stipulated.
• The applicant may make the submission personally or through qualified agents.
• After submitting all the required documents, the  concerned authority will verify them and  your rectified passport will dispatch to you within 8 weeks.

NOTE: In the case of remarried applicants, either a divorce deed or documents related to second marriage are a must.

Name Change on Driving Licence

• You need to write an application to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) clearly mentioning the reason for a name change.
• Along with the form,  following necessary and supporting documents need to submit.

1. Form L.L.D
2. Form 1 – Which specifies details and mandatory information
3. Married applicants are required to furnish their marriage certificate and other supporting documents related to it
4. Applicants changing their name for other purposes must provide their birth certificate
5. Identity proof in the form of voter ID, PAN Card, or passport
6. Address proof such as a passport or voter ID
7. original Driving License
8. Photocopy of the existing Driving License

• A processing fee has to be paid at the RTO, at the time of application submission. While process you have to give Fingerprints, biometric photographs, signatures
• A new Driving Licence will reach via courier to the address provided by you within 7 days. Until then, you may use the receipt issued to you as your temporary Driving Licence.

Birth Certificate name change

• Visit the municipality office of your town with your father or mother, as only a parent can submit or edit details on the certificate.
• Collect a document asking the Municipal Corporation that issues the birth certificate in your area to change your name in the birth certificate
• Along with the applcation  form,  following necessary and supporting documents need to submit.

1. Original birth certificate
2. Identity proof in the form of voter ID, PAN Card, or passport
3. A letter from the hospital where the child was born
4. Declaration by parents
5. Attestation by 2 gazetted officers

• After submitting all the required documents, they will be verified by the concerned authority . Then the authority send you name change birth certificate within 15 days.

Name change on PAN Card

• Download the application form for a reprint of PAN card or for making changes or correction in PAN data from the following website:
• Kindly note that one can fill application form in English block letters and preferably with black ink
• Attach a recent colour photograph of dimensions 3.5 cm X 2.5 cm
• Provide the signature within the box
• Carefully enter the correct PAN number
• Thumb impression required with Notary Public.(a Magistrate or a Gazetted Officer under official stamp and seal, if applicable)
• Along with the form, the applicant is required to submit the following necessary and supporting documents:

1. Identity proof in the form of voter ID, PAN Card, or passport
2. Address proof such as a passport or voter ID
3. Proof of Date of birth (applicable for Individuals & Karta of HUF)
4. Copy of PAN card

• After submitting all the required documents, they will be verified by the concerned authority . Then the authority send you PAN card within 30 days.

NOTE: The name mentioned in the PAN Card name change application form must match exactly with the name mentioned in identity proof, address proof and date of birth proof.

FAQs

Can I change my name legally in India?

Yes, you can change your name legally in India.

What is the minimum age to change name in India?

There is no minimum age to change your name in India. However, minors will need the consent of their parents or guardians.

How many times can a name changed India?

There is no limit to the number of times you can change your name in India. However, each time you change your name, you will need to go through the legal process again.

Is Gazette notification mandatory for name change in India?

Yes, Gazette notification is the legal proof of name change in India.

How long does the name change process take in India?

The entire process typically takes 5 to 8 weeks:

• Affidavit and newspaper ad: 1 week
• Gazette application: 1–2 weeks
• Gazette publication: 2–6 weeks depending on department processing time

Can minors change their names via Gazette?

Yes, but the application must be made by their legal guardian or parent, along with the child’s birth certificate and school ID.