How exactly does one change their name in India?

821 votes

An affidavit and newspaper ads alone do not give you a legally recognized all-India name change. To make it official across government databases (like PAN, Passport, and bank accounts), it must be published in the Official Gazette. For universal and central validity (recommended for passports, central IDs, and hassle-free acceptance), you apply to the Central Gazette (The Gazette of India) managed by the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, New Delhi. (Alternatively, state-level publication can be done through the Directorate of Printing and Stationery in Lucknow).

Advocate Krishna Jeevan Gaur LawRato

598 votes

The legal name change process in India has 3 mandatory steps. Only newspaper publication is NOT enough for all purposes like Passport, Aadhar, PAN. Here is the exact step-by-step process: Step 1 - Affidavit for Name Change: You have to prepare an Affidavit on stamp paper (Rs. 10/20) stating your old name, new name, father/husband name, address and reason for change. Get it Notarized from any Notary Public in your District Court / Tehsil. Any Notary Advocate can do it for Rs. 200-500. You need 2 witnesses with ID. Step 2 - Newspaper Publication: You have to publish the name change declaration in 2 newspapers - 1 Local English Daily and 1 Local Hindi Daily. It must contain Old Name, New Name, Father's Name, Address and Affidavit Number. Keep original newspaper copies. Step 3 - Gazette Notification (Most Important): This is the part most people miss. Only Affidavit + Newspaper is not legally complete for Govt records. You must get it published in Central Govt Gazette (Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi). For UP, you can also apply for State Gazette. Submit Affidavit, Newspaper copies, ID proof, passport photos and prescribed form with fee. After Gazette notification, your name is legally changed everywhere. Then you can apply for change in Aadhar, PAN, Bank, Educational certificates. I can assist you in preparing the affidavit and completing the Gazette process.

Advocate Shamma Perween LawRato

934 votes

Draft a legal affidavit stating your old name, new name, and reason for the change. Get it notarized by a local public notary or magistrate at any local court. Publish a name change advertisement in two daily newspapers—one in a prominent English newspaper and another in a local language (e.g., Hindi) newspaper. The missing step is publishing the change in the official Gazette of India. Submit the affidavit, newspaper clippings, ID proofs, photos, and required fee to the Department of Publication. ​Once published in the Gazette, use the notification to update your official documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and Passport.

Advocate Hariom Dubey LawRato

859 votes

​Complete Checklist of Required Documents: ​Original Notarized Affidavit ​Original Newspaper Cuttings (full pages of both English and Hindi newspapers containing the notice) ​Application Proforma signed by the applicant along with two witness signatures and their ID proofs ​Self-Attested ID & Address Proofs (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport) ​Passport-Sized Photographs (2 nos., self-attested) ​Online Fee Payment Receipt generated via the Bharatkosh portal

Advocate Ram Shiromani Tripathi LawRato

582 votes

Apply for Gazette Notification Submit your documents to the Department of Publication (Controller of Publications) for a central publication, or your state gazette office. Required items include: the original affidavit, original newspaper ads, a filled proforma signed by witnesses, passport-sized photos, and a soft copy on a CD. Pay the prescribed government fee. Wait for the official notification to be printed in the Gazette, which serves as high-level legal proof.

Advocate Ashutosh Kumar Pandey LawRato