Name Change Affidavit – Process Affidavit For Change Of Name Online

Changing your name officially can be a significant personal decision, whether it’s due to marriage, divorce, spelling errors, religious reasons, or personal preference. However, to ensure the change is legally recognised by government bodies, banks, and institutions, the process must be documented properly. One of the most important steps in this process is creating a Name Change Affidavit.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to create a name change affidavit, the documents required, and provide a sample format to help you prepare one easily and correctly. Whether you’re updating your name on a passport, Aadhar card, or bank account, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is A Name Change Affidavit?

A name change affidavit acts as legal proof acknowledged by the law in India. The name change affidavit is a crucial document if you apply for a name change in India. This affidavit includes a set of formats that are changeable depending on the reasons for the name change. The declaration consists of all the necessary information as required according to the specified format. This information may include old name, new name, reason, father’s name, etc.

Who Needs A Name Change Affidavit?

The name change affidavit is a mandatory requirement for anyone who is looking for a legal name change for any reason. The most common concerns for this in India are divorce, marriage, adoption, corrections, etc. The law and authorities demand uniformity in documents and identities for robust and fast verifications. Therefore, it is vital that if you have any mistakes in your records or government-issued documents, you need a name change affidavit.

Why Is A Name Change Affidavit Important?

A name change affidavit is important for various concerns, and one of the main aspects is the Gazette procedure. No procedure can be fully recognised as a legal name change until you present a name change affidavit. Apart from this, if you apply for a name legally correction in education documents, a passport, or any other document, it requires a well-notarised affidavit. The above-mentioned facts state the requirement of the name change affidavit procedure in India.

How To Make A Name Change Affidavit In India?

Making a name change affidavit in India involves a small procedure as given below:-

Step 1: Decide Your New Name – Choose the new name you want to adopt. Ensure it’s unique and not offensive, misleading, or confusing.

Step 2: Drafting the Affidavit – Begin by drafting the content of the affidavit, which is a declaration by the individual. Include the necessary details of the individual along with the reason applicable for the same.

Step 3: Print on Stamp Paper – When the final draft is done, you can print the same on a non-judicial stamp paper of Rs 10 or 20, or type it.

Step 4: Notarization – The affidavit is not legally acceptable utility you get it notarised. Notarization is done by the public notary of a first-class magistrate by signing the affidavit and attesting a legal seal.

Sample Name Change Affidavit Format

For the sample name change affidavit procedure, the given structure is widely used.

Affidavit

I, ________________ S/o __________________, Date of Birth ________________, residing at ___________________, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under.

I have changed my name from _________ to __________ for all purposes in the future.
That is my true statement.

Deponent

Verification

Verified at ___________ on ___________ that the contents of the above affidavit are true and correct to my knowledge and no material has been concealed therefrom.

Documents Required For Name Change Affidavit

These are some important documents for the name change affidavit:-

Original identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter ID)
Address proof
Passport-size photograph
Completed affidavit on stamp paper
Notary’s signature and seal

What Comes After The Name Change Affidavit?

When you are done with the name change affidavit, there remain two more steps of the Gazette procedure. These two steps are:-

Advertisement Publication

This includes publishing a public declaration of your name change as an advertisement. It ensures the public has no intention to oppose your act of changing the name. The declaration must be correct and full of information, and should be published in a regional and English-language newspaper.

Gazette Notification

The final destination requires submission of the application form with attested documents. Further, a copy of the name change affidavit, a published advertisement, and a CD containing scanned copies of attested documents are provided. Making the payment to initiate the process. Verification is done, and when all is clear, your name is published in the Gazette journal. You can find your Gazette notification in the weekly journals released by the Department of Publications.

When Do You Need A Name Change Affidavit?

A name change affidavit will be needed when you act to be involved in the following:-

In case of Gazette notification for change of name.
Name change after marriage
Name change after divorce
Name change after adoption
Name change due to mistakes
Name change in Passport

Along with this, there are various other reasons varying from individual to individual. If we consider the order of arranging documents, then obtain this certificate with priority.

Name Change Affidavit For Minors

The conditions for drafting a name change affidavit for minors are slightly different from normal adults. In this affidavit, the non-negotiable information first includes the names of parents and legal guardians. Secondly, it covers the minor’s full information. Further, the name change affidavit will be signed by the parents or guardians. The rest work of notarization and printing on stamp paper will remain the same.

Cost Of Creating A Name Change Affidavit

The cost of creating a name change affidavit is not very much. It includes some small expenses related to stamp paper (10 – 100 ), lawyer’s fee (100-200), and some minor expenses for printing and stationery. Overall, you can surely get a name change affidavit for under 300 rupees.

Where To Get A Name Change Affidavit?

Getting a name change affidavit is very easy in this digitalized era. One can get an affidavit through both physical and online mediums:-

To obtain offline, you have to visit the nearest Tahshil or a notary with the required documents. They will draft the affidavit, print it on stamp paper, and get it notarised.
To obtain an online service, you can check out the service providers available online. They offer a notarised name change affidavit by collecting the required documents from you.

How Long Does It Take?

Getting a name change affidavit in India is not very time-consuming. You can obtain one within a few hours on the same day. All you require is to present the required document and a passport-size photo. The notary will handle the formatting and drafting tasks, along with the procedure to get the legal stamp.

Tips For A Smooth Name Change Process

There are several mistakes made by people applying for the legal name change affidavit procedure. To avoid these mistakes and make the process convenient, follow these expert-guided tips for a smooth name change process.

Skipping Necessary Documents: Skipping the required documents may delay and make your process expensive. That’s why it is suggested to gather the necessary documents in advance.
Spelling Errors: If you are making spelling mistakes in the name change, then you are wasting your money and efforts. Always double-check the forms before submitting.
Ignoring the Gazette Notification: The legal name change remains a dream until you get the Gazette notification. Get this notification on priority for the name change.
Failure to Alter All Documents: If you stop just after Gazette notification, you are making a big mistake. Get all your documents correct as soon as possible.
Ignoring Regional Rules: There may be some differences in the rules from state to state. Hence, ignoring them may result in rejection of the application or delay.

Considering these suggestions, you can get the process done smoothly without much effort and unnecessary delays.

Legal Validity Of Name Change Affidavit

In relation to the legal validity of a name change affidavit procedure in India, there are no governing rules for it. The affidavit enjoys legal validity until no changes are made in the mentioned information. It means if you get a name change affidavit today, it is valid with no concerns of expiry.

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Conclusion

Changing your name is a significant legal and personal decision, and the Name Change Affidavit is the crucial first step in this process. Whether you’re doing it for marriage, personal preference, or legal correction, this document lays the foundation for a legally valid and publicly recognised name change.

Make sure to follow all the steps — draft the affidavit carefully, notarise it, publish the name change in newspapers, and then proceed with Gazette notification.

FAQs:-

Is A Name Change Affidavit Legally Valid On Its Own?

No, the affidavit is just the first step. For full legal recognition, you must also publish the name change in newspapers and notify the Gazette.

Can I Make A Name Change Affidavit Online?

Yes, several legal service websites offer online affidavit generation and even digital notarization.

What Is The Stamp Paper Value Required For A Name Change Affidavit?

Generally, a ₹10 or ₹20 non-judicial stamp paper is sufficient, though this may vary slightly by state.

How Long Is A Name Change Affidavit Valid?

There’s no expiry date, but it is typically used immediately as part of the name change process, along with newspaper publication and Gazette notification.

Can Minors Have A Name Change Affidavit?

Yes, but the affidavit must be made by the parents or legal guardians on behalf of the minor.