How to make affidavit for name change

If you want to change your name in India, the first step is to make name change affidavit. Affidavit is legal document that officially declares your old name and your new name. This is required to update records like Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, bank accounts or other government or financial documents. In this blog, we will explain how to draft name change affidavit with with samples of name change affidavit formats

What is affidavit for name change

An affidavit for name change is legal documents to make a declaration that a person want to change his /her name to other name . It is used when you want to officially request for permission to change your name after marriage or if it is required to change name on passport or birth certificate. For any of the purpose affidavit should have the following information:

1. Your full name: This is your current legal name, the one you want to change.
2. Father’s name or husband’s name (if you are married): Mention father name or husband name if married. This helps show family or marital details.
3. Reason for name change: The affidavit must clearly state why you are changing your name. Reason can be personal choice, marriage, divorce, or official requirement. Write reason in simple and clear words so authorities can understand request easily

Why do people change name In India

Here’s a list of reasons why people change name in India:

1. Marriage: Many people change last name after marriage to use spouse name and show family connection.
2. Divorce: Some people return to old name after divorce to regain personal identity and move forward.
3. Personal choice: Some people do not like current name and choose new name that feels better to them.
4. Gender identity: Transgender people change name to match true gender identity and feel comfortable.
5. Cultural or ethnic reasons: People change name to connect with culture, tradition, or family history.
6. Name simplification: Long or hard names are changed to simple names that are easy to spell and pronounce.
7. Professional reasons: Actors, writers, or professionals use different names for career or public image.
8. Safety or legal reasons: Some people change name to protect privacy or stay safe in difficult situations.
9. Religious or spiritual reasons: Name change may happen after adopting new religious or spiritual path.
10. Fresh start: People change name to leave past problems and begin new phase of life.

Every person has own reason for name change. These are common reasons, but personal situations may differ.

How to make affidavit for name change

To make an affidavit for a name change, you need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare the necessary information: Decide current name and new name. Make sure spelling matches identity proofs.
2. Provide your complete current address: The affidavit should include your full current address, which should be the same as the address mentioned in your identity proofs.
3. Affix passport size photograph: Attach recent passport size photograph of yourself to the affidavit. This helps in identification and verification purposes.
4. Print the affidavit on stamp paper: Get stamp paper of required value (₹10 or ₹20 as per state rules). Print affidavit using proper format from legal professional or court website.
5. Arrange for witnesses: Find two witnesses who are of gazetted officer rank. They should be willing to sign the affidavit as witnesses to the name change. Their signatures should be accompanied by their official rubber stamp.
6. Notarize the affidavit: Visit the nearest notary office and have the affidavit notarized. The notary will verify your identity and witness the signing of the affidavit. This step adds legal authenticity to the document.
7. Keep copy of the affidavit: Make sure to save copy of the notarized affidavit for your records. It may be useful for future legal requirements.

For NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) seeking name change – File document for legal name change and get it attested by Indian High Commission or Embassy. Attestation makes the change valid and recognized

Name change affidavit format

Name change affidavit should be drafted in the correct format to maintain accuracy and legality.

Format of the affidavit to change the name

I, [Your Name], S/o [Father’s Name], Daughter of [Mother’s Name], aged around [Age] years, resident of [Residence Address], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:

1. That my name as per the records is [Previous Name].
2. That I have changed my name to [New Name] on [Date of Change of Name].
3. At present, all the records have my new name, [New Name].
4. I am getting a public notice published to this effect in the newspaper.
5. I state that [Previous Name] and [New Name] are the names of one and the same person, which is myself.
6. I am writing this declaration to be submitted to the concerned authorities for the change of name.

I hereby state that whatever is stated herein above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Solemnly affirmed at [Place of Affirmation]

On this [Day] day of [Month] 20[Year]

[Signature of the Applicant]

Deponent

VERIFICATION:

Verified on this day [Date] at [Place] that the contents of the affidavit are true and correct, nothing material has been concealed, and no part of it is false.

Deponent.

Sample affidavit for name change

The few samples of affidavit for name change are given as per propose of name change.

1.Affidavit for name change after marriage

After marriage, if you want to change your name then also you need name change affidavit. This affidavit is legal document that confirms the old name and the new name after marriage. It must be written in the correct format and filled with accurate details. Following the prescribed format is important, as authorities may reject the affidavit if there are errors or missing information.

The link provides the proper format for Affidavit for name change after marriage

2.Affidavit for name change in birth certificate

If you want to change or correct the name mentioned on a birth certificate, you need to submit name change affidavit. This affidavit acts as formal declaration requesting the correction of the name in official records. It is important to follow the official format and guidelines so that the change is legally valid and accepted by the concerned authorities.

The link below provides the proper format for Affidavit for name change in birth certificate

FAQs

What is the cost of gazetted name change in India?

Cost for publishing a name change in the gazette is ₹750 – ₹900 depending on whether a public notice is required or not. You can pay by cash, demand draft, or postal order.

Can I change my name without making an affidavit?

In India, affidavit is mandatory to change your name. You cannot change your name legally without affidavit.