Gazette Name Change Cost in India (2026 Complete Price Guide)

Quick answer: The total cost of a Gazette name change in India in 2026 typically ranges from ₹2,500 to ₹6,000. This includes the Government Gazette fee (₹1,100 for adults, ₹1,700 for minors), newspaper advertisement charges (₹1,000–₹3,500), and affidavit notary fees (₹200–₹500). Fees for NRIs are higher, ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹9,000 for the Gazette notification alone.

Introduction: What is the Cost of Gazette of India?

Changing your name legally in India requires completing a structured 3-step process. You might be asking, “What is the total cost of the name change process in India?” or “What are the gazette name change fees in 2026?”

If you are looking for a way to legally change your name through the official gazette name-change process but are worried about the cost, you are at the right place. In this step-by-step guide, I will explain how much the gazette name change costs and what the fees for adults, kids, and NRIs.

I will also explain to you the other costs related to the gazette name change, such as government fees, newspaper ad costs, and hidden charges.

So let YourDoorStep be your legal name change guide to help you get your name legally changed at a reasonable price.

What Is the Official Central Gazette Fee in 2026?

As per the Department of Publication (Controller of Publications), Government of India, the standard Central Gazette notification fee is ₹1,100 for adults. Payment is made through the official BharatKosh portal.

The 3 Mandatory Costs of Gazette Name Change

Let’s have a look at the three main steps of the gazette name change that cost you money:

A name change isn’t just one single payment. To get a government fee for name change in gazette India receipt, you actually have to finish three steps. Each step has its own cost.

The Affidavit (The Legal Paper)
The Newspaper Ads (The Public Notice)
The Gazette Fee (The Official Government Final Step)

Step 1: Making the Affidavit (Cost: ₹200 to ₹1,500)

The first document that you will need to complete your gazette name change process is an affidavit of name change. An affidavit of name change is a formal statement on a special piece of paper called “Stamp Paper.” The affidavit of name change read, “I am changing my name from X to Y.”

The name change affidavit includes your necessary details, such as:

Your old (incorrect) name
Your new (correct) name
Reason for the name change, etc.

Here’s the cost breakdown of the affidavit:

Stamp Paper: You usually need a ₹10 to ₹100 stamp paper. The name change affidavit stamp paper value 2026 depends on which state you live in.

Notary Fee: You must take this paper to a Notary (a legal officer) who will sign and stamp it. They usually charge between ₹50 and ₹200.

Lawyer Help: If you ask a lawyer to draft your affidavit of name change, they might charge you between ₹500 to ₹1,000. If you do not understand the legal formalities or are unaware of the legal terms, it’s best if you seek help from a name change consultant or a lawyer.

Step 2: Newspaper Advertisements (Cost: ₹1,000 to ₹3,500)

For a gazette name change, it is mandatory to publish a name change ad in two national newspapers to announce your name change in a public notice:

One in an English newspaper
One in a local or regional language newspaper

Why does the price change?

Big newspapers like The Times of India cost more than small local ones.
The newspaper advertisement charges for name change are higher in big cities like Delhi or Mumbai than in smaller towns.

2026 Newspaper Ad Cost Breakdown

Here’s a cost breakdown of a newspaper ad as of 2026:

1. Cost by Type of Newspaper

The government requires one national (English) and one local (regional language) paper.

Newspaper Tier	Estimated Cost (per ad)	Common Examples
Top-Tier National	₹1,500 – ₹4,000	Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Regional / State Daily	₹800 – ₹2,500	Dainik Jagran, Eenadu, Malayala Manorama
Budget Local Paper	₹400 – ₹1,000	Local city-specific or district dailies

2. City-Wise Cost Variations (2-Newspaper Combo)

Living in a metro city increases the price because the demand for ad space is higher. Here is what you can expect to pay for the total 2-ad package:

High-Cost Metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): ₹3,000 – ₹7,500
Mid-Tier Cities (Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad): ₹1,500 – ₹3,000
Tier-3 / Small Towns: ₹900 – ₹2,000

3. Price Breakdown by “Classified Newspaper Ad” Style

Newspapers charge you in two ways. Most people choose Option A to save money.

Option A: Classified Text (Pay per Line/Word): This is a simple run-on text ad. In 2026, most major papers charge for a minimum of 5 lines.
- Average Rate: ₹150 – ₹500 per line.

Option B: Classified Display (Pay per Sq. cm): These are ads with a border or a small box. They are easier to see but much more expensive.
- Average Rate: ₹40 – ₹200 per sq. cm.

Step 3: The Central Gazette Fee (Cost: ₹1,100 to ₹9,000)

After your newspaper ad is published and you have prepared your gazette name change file, you will be required to send your gazette name change file to the Government Press in Delhi. The cost of central gazette notification for name change depends on whether you are an adult, minor, government employee, NRi, etc.

Here’s the cost breakdown of the gazette name change process based on who you are and what kind of name change you are requesting in your gazette notification:

1. Gazette Name Change Cost For Adults (General)

If you are an adult (above 18+ years old) living in India, the basic gazette name change fee would be ₹1100 as of 2026. This will cover your name change request for personal reasons or after marriage.

2. Gazette Name Change Cost For Minors (Children under 18)

If you are requesting a name change for a minor (under 18 years old), then you will be required to pay around ₹1,700. This is because the minor gazette name change costs more, as the government requires to verify parental records as well.

3. Gazette Name Change Cost For Government Employees

The gazette name change process for government employees is slightly different from the normal gazette name change processes. The gazette notification charges for name correction for employees is around ₹2,750.

4. Gazette Name Change Cost for NRIs (Indians living abroad)

For NRIs living in the USA, UK, or Dubai, the gazette name change is much higher and can range from ₹7,500 to ₹9,000. This covers extra processing charges and international handling.

5. Gazette Name Change Cost for Spelling Corrections

If you are just fixing a small typo in your name, the cost of spelling correction in gazette notification is usually the same as a regular change (₹1,100).

Gazette Name Change Cost Breakdown (Category-Wise)

Given below is a dedicated table showing the total cost of gazette name change process in India, including the cost of ads and other legal papers.

Category	Gov. Gazette Fee (via BharatKosh)	Required Documents	Processing Time	Total Budget (Estimated)
Adult (General)	₹1,100	Affidavit, 2 Ads, ID Proof	30–45 Days	₹2,500 – ₹5,500
Minor (Under 18)	₹1,700	Birth Cert, Parent’s ID	45+ Days	₹3,200 – ₹6,000
Govt. Employee	₹1,100	Deed Poll, Dept. Permission	30 Days	₹2,100 – ₹4,500
After Divorce	₹1,100	Divorce Decree, Affidavit	30–45 Days	₹2,500 – ₹5,500
NRI (Abroad)	₹7,500 – ₹9,000	Passport, Indian Address	60+ Days	₹12,000 – ₹15,000

Processing Time for Gazette Name Change

Most applications are published within:

30–45 days (Indian residents)
45–60+ days (Minors & special cases)
60+ days (NRIs)

Delays usually happen due to:

Incorrect documents
Wrong BharatKosh payment category
Spelling mismatch in affidavit and newspaper ad

DIY vs Agent Cost Comparison

Many people ask whether hiring an agent is necessary.

Method	Estimated Cost
Do It Yourself	₹2,500 – ₹6,000
Through Consultant/Agent	₹5,000 – ₹15,000

You can legally complete the official Gazette name change process yourself. However, hiring an agent for the gazette name change process can help you save valuable time.

A name change agent like YourDoorStep can not only help you draft the affidavit, publish name change ad, prepare your gazette name change file, but also submit it to the concerned authority.

When getting your gazette name chagne process done with an agent, you do not have to worry about visiting any government office in person. You can get your name legally changed with the help of an agent from the comfort of your home.

Your 2026 Gazette Name Change Document Checklist

To ensure you do not waste your gazette name change fees, given below is the list of documents that you must keep ready when applying for a gazette name change procedure to ensure the government doesn’t reject your name change request.

1. The Updated List of Basic (For Everyone) Documents Required for Gazette Name Change

Given below is the updated list of some of the most commonly required documents for gazette name change procedure:

The Original Name Change Affidavit: The signed and notarised paper on the correct stamp paper.
Newspaper Cutting: The full page of both newspapers where your ad appeared (do not just cut out the small ad; keep the whole page).
Identity Proof: A self-attested copy of your current Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
Passportsized Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photos (signed by you on the back).
The Digital CD: A CD or DVD containing a soft copy of your application in .docx (Microsoft Word) format.
The Printing Fee Receipt: Your BharatKosh payment receipt showing you paid the government fee.

2. Additional Documents that You May Need to Complete Your Gazette Name Change Procedure

Depending on why you are changing your name, you might need these additional documents:

After Marriage: A copy of your Marriage Certificate with a joint photo of you and your spouse.
After Divorce: A copy of your Divorce Decree (court order).
For Minors: A request letter signed by the parents and a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate.
For Spelling Correction: A copy of the document that has the wrong spelling (like a school marksheet or old PAN card).
For Government Employees: A special “Deed Poll” or “Annexure” signed by your department head.

Pro-Tip for Your Readers:

“Always keep three photocopies of everything. You will need them later when you apply for name update in your Aadhaar, PAN card, Bank accounts, or any other official documents after your gazette notification is published.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to Gazette?

The direct government publication fee for a Gazette notification in 2026 is ₹1,100 for most Indian adults. However, if you are a minor or live outside India (NRI), the government fee increases to ₹1,700 and ₹7,500+, respectively. This fee is paid online through the BharatKosh portal.

How much will it cost if I change my name?

The total cost for a full name change through the gazette usually falls between ₹2,500 and ₹6,000. This cost covers:

Affidavit & Notary: ₹200 – ₹1,500
Two Newspaper Ads: ₹1,000 – ₹3,500
Gazette Publication Fee: ₹1,100
Postage/Courier: ₹100 – ₹200

What is the cost of Gazette of India?

The “cost” refers to the publication charge in the Central Gazette. As of 2026, the standard charge is ₹1,100. This is the only way to make your name change legally valid for central documents like Passports and PAN cards.

How much money is required for an affidavit?

For a name change affidavit in 2026, you should budget between ₹200 and ₹500 if you do it yourself. This includes:

Stamp Paper: Usually ₹10 to ₹100 (depending on your state).
Notary Fee: ₹50 to ₹200 for the signature and stamp.
Typing/Printing: ₹50. If you hire a lawyer to draft it for you, the cost may increase to ₹1,000–₹1,500.

Can I change my name after 30?

Yes, absolutely. There is no upper age limit for changing your name in India. Whether you are 30, 50, or 70, the legal name change process remains the same. The only difference is that you will apply under the Adult (General) category.

Can I do this without an agent?

Yes, you can legally change your name without hiring a name change agent. But make sure you know and understand the entire gazette name change process and documents required for it.

Top Tips to Save Money

Here are a few tips to avoid facing rejection or delays in your gazette name change request:

Check your spelling 10 times: If you make a mistake on your newspaper ad, you have to pay to print it again.
Use BharatKosh correctly: Make sure you select the right “Purpose” on the payment site so your money doesn’t get stuck.
Choose “Standard” Newspapers: You don’t need the most expensive newspaper in India. Any recognised national daily works.

Conclusion

The total cost of the name change process in India is usually between ₹3,000 and ₹6,000 for most people. While it takes some time, it is the only way to make your new name 100% legal for your Passport, PAN Card, Bank Accounts, and other important documents.

Knowing the gazette name change fees 2026 helps you avoid being overcharged by greedy agents. To get your name legally changed at a reasonable price, you can contact YourDoorStep, your trusted gazette name change consultant.

Phone: (+91) 9540005064 or 01145143307

Email: support@yourdoorstep.co

Website: https://yourdoorstep.co/