Name

Change

Name Change Procedure Online: Affidavit, Gazette Publication

If you are unhappy with your names,you are at the right place/article. This article may come as a welcome relief. Let’s discuss and find out how a major Indian can change his/her name the legal way.

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Name change online services in India

The name change process can be complicated and tiring, but not when you do it through Legaltax

We collect all the required information

We ask you to submit the necessary documents

We prepare and file your name change application

Overview

In India, individuals may choose to change their name for various reasons, such as marriage, good fortune, or adopting a new identity. However, the process can be time-consuming due to numerous administrative requirements. At Legal Tax, we handle all the necessary documentation and filings, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free, and pleasant experience for you.

What Is a Legal Name Change?

Sometimes individuals prefer to be addressed by a different name for various reasons, such as:

  • Desire for a more appealing name
  • Correcting spelling errors in their current name
  • Change of religion
  • Gender transition
  • After marriage
  • After divorce
  • Astrological reasons

While you can informally ask friends and family to use your new name, it is essential to undergo a legal process to update your name on all official documents, including identity cards, educational records, and other important documents.

STEPS FOR CHANGING NAME

Documents Required:

A checklist of required documents will be provided to record your details.

Drafting:

After receiving your completed questionnaire, we will draft the necessary documents for your review and attestation, including:

  • Affidavit
  • Proforma
  • Application for publication in the official gazette

Dispatching Documents:

You will need to sign the documents and courier the hard copies after notarization.

Newspaper Publication:

We will publish a name change notice in a national newspaper on your behalf.

Application for Official Gazette Publication:

Following the newspaper publication, we will submit the application and necessary documents for the name change publication in the official gazette, addressed to the Department of Publication, New Delhi.

Official Gazette Publication:

Once your name change is published in the official gazette, we will send you a copy of the official gazette letter or the published article.

Documents Required to Change a Legal Name in India

Required Documents for Name Change

  • Original and photocopy of the newspaper advertisement.
  • Affidavit for Name Change.
  • Prescribed proforma for name change, signed by at least two witnesses. Witness details required:
    • Full Name
    • Address
    • Mobile/Phone Number
  • A Compact Disc (CD) containing a soft copy of the proforma without witness details. The applicant’s old name should be stated in place of the signature.
  • Certificate stating the CD and hard copy details are identical.
  • Two self-attested passport-size photos.
  • Photocopy of identity proof (Aadhar card, passport, voter ID card, PAN card, or driving license).
  • Cover Letter.
  • Demand Draft for payment of fees.

Procedure for Name Change in India
The name change process involves three main steps: affidavit submission, newspaper advertisement, and Gazette notification. The required documents must be attested by a Judicial Magistrate/Notary.
Step 1: Create the Name Change Affidavit

  1. Approach a local notary and mention your request.
  2. The notary will suggest the required stamp paper value.
  3. Provide the following details:
    • Current name and new name.
    • Current address.
    • Reason for name change.
  4. The affidavit must be signed by two witnesses.
  5. For central government employees, follow the Ministry of Home Affairs procedure.
  6. Married women must provide their current name with father’s name and address, new name with husband’s name and address, and marriage date.

Step 2: Place an Advertisement

  1. After the affidavit, publish an advertisement in leading local daily newspapers.
  2. Include the following in the ad:
    • Old name.
    • New proposed name.
    • Date of birth.
    • Residential address.
    • Name of witnessing authority.
    • Place and date of affidavit creation.

    Newspaper Ad Format Example: “I, Rakesh r/o Kishan Kumari, Begur Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, have changed my name to Sourav, sworn in front of Notary M. Kirpal on 25/05/2020.”

  3. Collect and store copies of the newspaper ad for future use. Married women changing their surname should include their husband’s name and address in the notification.

Step 3: Gazette Notification

  1. Gazette publication is the final step. Once published, your name is legally changed.
  2. Submit the application and documents to the respective Government of India Press.
  3. The process takes 15 to 50 days for the name change advertisement to appear in the Gazette.
  4. Applicants can download the e-copy from the Digital Directory of the Gazette of India.
  5. A copy of the Gazette notification will be sent to your residential address by post.

After the article is published, your name will be included in the official national gazette. We will monitor the publication daily and, once completed, send you a soft copy of the gazette along with details of the e-publication page.

Note: The Gazette notification is mandatory for government employees, but it also serves as substantial proof of your name change. Given that it only requires submitting a few documents for publication, it is a worthwhile step to complete.
Fee for Gazette Notification
The name change process concludes with the Gazette notification. The fees for this service vary between ₹700 and ₹900, depending on whether you opt for a public notice.

You can pay the fee in cash or via demand draft/postal order drawn in favor of the Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054. You can either visit the office in person during working hours (10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 3 PM on any working day) or courier/speed post the documents to the mentioned address. For more details, visit the official website of the Department of Publication (Government of India).

WHY TO CHOOSE LEGAL TAX FOR Name Change Procedure?

Simplify the entire process with LEGAL TAX. We make it quick, convenient, and hassle-free with expert guidance. Just provide your basic details and scanned documents, and we’ll handle the rest. We go the extra mile to assist our clients, offering top-notch services and resolving any issues related to the certification process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts for more information.
Our Services Include:

  • Drafting the name change affidavit
  • Ensuring the newspaper publication is completed
  • Notifying you once the gazette notification is published
  • 100% online process with step-by-step guidance from our experts
  • Dedicated support team available to answer all your queries

Getting Started:
Provide us with basic details like your old name, new name, residential address, ID proof, and photographs. From there, we’ll take care of everything, allowing you to sit back and relax!

FAQ’s

Yes, the process for changing an infant’s name is the same as that for an adult. However, the applicable fees for changing a minor’s name differ from those for an adult.

Yes, preparing an affidavit is a crucial and mandatory step in the name change process.

After changing your name, you will need to update it in both government and personal documents. Typically, the following seven (7) documents should be updated post name change:

  1. Passport
  2. PAN Card
  3. Driving License
  4. Aadhar Card
  5. Bank Accounts
  6. Ration Card
  7. Voter ID Card

Yes, you will need two witnesses for the name change process, along with their ID cards.

There are several reasons why people may choose to change their name. The most common reasons include:

  • Marriage
  • Divorce
  • Numerology
  • Astrology
  • Political reasons
  • Religious reasons
  • Dislike of their current or birth name

Yes, the name change process for married women is the same as the regular name change process, with the addition of a few extra details:

  • Old name with father’s name and address
  • New name with husband’s name and address
  • Marriage certificate or ID proof that includes the husband’s name

The entire process, including the publication of the name change in the Official Gazette, can be completed within 10 to 50 days.

For that, you need to produce only copies of the affidavit, newspaper publication, and the gazette notification.

You will need to update your name in government documents such as Passport, PAN Card, Driving Licence, and Ration Card. Copies of the affidavit, newspaper publication, and the gazette notification are sufficient to get these documents updated.

For changes in Passport, you need to fill out the following form:

https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/docAdvisor/reissuePassport

Yes, the process is 100% online. We will provide you with a dashboard and guidance, allowing you to comfortably complete everything.

The advertisement published in the leading national daily newspaper of your state.