Name Change in India

Are you considering a name change in India? Whether it’s for personal beliefs, numerology, astrology, or due to life events like marriage, we’ve got you covered.

Changing your name legally involves a specific procedure that’s essential to follow. We’ll walk you through each step to ensure a smooth transition.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to confidently change your name in India, whether it’s after marriage or for any other reason.

Let’s get started on this transformative journey. Learn the legal process, required documents, and additional steps for name changes after marriage, on your passport, driving license, birth certificate, and PAN card. Your path to a new name starts here!

Procedure for Name Change in India 

People often need to change their name on documents like their passport, driving license, and RC in India. Whatever the reason for changing your name, we have mapped out a course of procedure for name change legally.

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: your current full name, your new full name, your current address, and the reason for changing your name.
• 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:

Driving License Address change

Process for name change after marriage

NOC for Vehicle Transfer

Affidavit format for Name change

I Mr/Ms ____ (applicant’s old name) S/o ____ (father’s name) aged about ____ (applicant’s age) years, residing at ____ (complete postal address) do hereby state and declare on solemn affirmation as follows:

1. That my recorded name in school and college is ____ (applicant’s old name), but I am popularly known as ____ (new name).
2. That by making this affidavit, I have changed my name from ____ (old name) to ____ (new name) and henceforth, I shall be known as ____ (new name) for all purposes.
3. That I shall at all times from here on in, for all records, use and sign the name of

____ (new name) as my name in place and in substitution of my former name.

4. That the facts stated above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed, sealed and delivered by the above name

Date ____

Former name ____

 

In the presence of:

 

Name ____                                             Name ____

Address ____                                         Address ____

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

• Although the name change on gazette notification is compulsory for only government employees and optional for others, it is highly recommended that non-government employees opt for it as well, as the Gazette publication of name change is essential in KYC forms.
• Go to the Controller’s Office of Publication or give them a call to get a detailed account of what necessary and supporting documents need to be sent.
• First, you must procure a copy of the deed changing name form available with the Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, or a letter of declaration from you, mentioning the reason for changing your name.

Documents Required

1. two attested color photographs
2. original copies of the advertisements or notifications published in the regional daily and English daily newspapers, along with the date of publication
3. Identity proof in the form of voter ID, PAN Card, or passport
4. Address proof such as a passport or voter ID
5. an attested copy of the name change affidavit
6. deed changing name form

• 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.

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.

Also read Passport name change

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

Q1: Can I change my name legally in India?

A1: Yes, you can change your name legally in India.

Q2: How much does it cost to change your name in India?

A2: The cost of changing your name in India varies depending on the state in which you are applying. However, it is typically around ₹100-200.

Q3: What is the minimum age to change name in India?

A3: There is no minimum age to change your name in India. However, minors will need the consent of their parents or guardians.

Q4: Which state name has changed recently?

A4: The state of Telangana was renamed from Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

Q5: What evidence do I need to change my name India?

A5: You will need to provide an affidavit stating your reason for changing your name, as well as a copy of your ID proof. You may also need to provide additional evidence, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree, if your name change is due to a life event.

Q6: How many times can a name changed India?

A6: 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.

Q7: Can I have two names legally?

A7: Yes, you can have two names legally in India. However, you will need to choose one name to be your primary name for official purposes.

Q8: What documents do I need to change my name?

A8: The documents you need to change your name will vary depending on the state in which you are applying. However, you will typically need to provide an affidavit stating your reason for changing your name, a copy of your ID proof, and a copy of your old name change certificate (if applicable).

Q9: Who is not allowed to change their name?

A9: You are not allowed to change your name if you have a criminal record or if you are trying to evade debt.

Q10: Can I change my name after 12th?

A10: Yes, you can change your name after 12th. There is no age limit to changing your name in India.