Are you frustrated because your birth certificate has the wrong name? It could be due to a spelling mistake, typographical error, or outdated family details. In India, many people face the same problem and I can understand how frustrating it can get as I, myself, faced the same problem. Having an incorrect or different name on your official documents can lead to various issues especially when applying for passports, opening new bank accounts, or enrolling in schools or colleges.
But the good news is, you found this article. And now when you are at the doorstep of YourDoorStep, India’s top legal document services provider company, you don’t have to worry about updating your birth certificate.
In this article, I, your friend, will provide you with a step-by-step solution for the name change in birth certificate process in India. Whether you are looking for a name change in birth certificate online or someone who prefers the offline name change procedure, I’ll walk you through the entire process of name change in birth certificate along with the documents required for name correction in birth certificate.
By the end of this article, you will know everything about the name correction process in birth certificate, the birth certificate name change procedure, and how to change name in birth certificate in India, legally. With no further delay, let YourDoorStep be your guide and get your name fixed on your birth certificate.
Why Change Your Name in Your Birth Certificate?
Changing your name on your birth certificate or correcting your name on your birth certificate in India is important as it’s one of the most important legal documents that serve as proof of your age, identity, and citizenship. Having incorrect names, spelling mistakes, incorrect parent’s names, and omission of middle can cause problems when verifying your documents and identity in various verification processes such as:
- Passport and Visa Applications: Having an incorrect name on your birth certificate can cause identification issues and may lead to delays and rejection of your passport or visa applications.
- Educational and Employment Records: Having discrepancies in your official documents can lead to rejection when enrolling in school or colleges as well as a job and may require additional verification.
- Banking and Financial Services: It is important to have the correct or same name on all of your legal or official documents to maintain consistency throughout your official documents, required for transactions and loan processing.
Correcting these mistakes is possible through the name change in birth certificate procedure. Correcting these mistakes also ensures that all your official documents are updated, consistent, and accurate.
When Is a Name Change in Birth Certificate Necessary?
There are several scenarios when a name change in the birth certificate might be needed:
- Spelling Mistakes: You will require a name correction in your birth certificate when there’s a spelling mistake, or typographical error in your name or your parent’s name.
- Name Correction Due to Clerical Errors: If there’s a mistake in your name in your birth certificate due to incorrect data entered at the time of birth registration.
- Personal or Religious Changes: Some people change their name due to personal, religious, or cultural reasons, and to make the name change legally valid, the name change in birth certificate procedure is required.
- Adoption: When a child is adopted, the new parents might need to update the name in the birth certificate.
- Marriage Related Changes: In some cases, parents may change or update their name or details after marriage or divorce. However, to officially do that, they might require an affidavit stating the reasons and supporting documents for the name change.
Understanding why you need and when you need the name change in your birth certificate in India is the first step toward changing or correcting your name through the birth certificate name change procedure.
Overview of the Name Change Procedure in Birth Certificate
Here’s the overview of changing your name in birth certificate:
- Drafting an Affidavit for Name Change: To officially change your name in your birth certificate in India, you will require a notarized affidavit. This affidavit is a legal document that declares the correct name and explains the reason for the name change.
- Publishing in Newspapers: You will also be required to publish a name change advertisement in two newspapers (one in local or regional language and one in English).
- Gazette Notification: Next you will have to apply for a Gazette notification. A gazette notification is an important document that legally binds your new or corrected name and makes sure that your new or corrected name is recognized by government authorities and institutions.
- Submission of Application: Finally, submit all the documents required for the name change in birth certificate process in India along with your name correction application to the municipal or state authority.
- Online vs. Offline Process: In India, there are several states that offer online services for correcting names in birth certificate to make the process faster and more convenient for people who can’t visit the office or are concerned about authority in person.
However, for people who prefer the offline or traditional method, they can always visit their nearby municipal or state authority that deals with name change in birth certificate process in India to correct or change their name. Some states in India offer online services for name change in birth certificate, while others require offline submission.
Step-By-Step Guide To Name Change in Birth Certificate in India
To legally or officially change your name in your birth certificate in India, follow these simple and easy steps:
Step 1: Drafting the Affidavit For Name Change in Birth Certificate
The first step in the name change procedure in birth certificate in India is to draft an affidavit stating your old name (current name) , new name (corrected name) and the reason for the name change (due to a spelling mistake, religious purpose, or due to adoption, etc).
Here’s the information or details that you should include in your affidavit:
- Your old name (current name), exactly as it is recorded on your birth certificate.
- Your new name (corrected name) that you want to change to.
- Reasons for the name change such as a spelling mistake, incorrect parent’s details, missing middle name, or any other mistakes or errors in it.
Personal information: Make sure to clearly mention your correct date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ details. It is important to make sure that the affidavit is printed on nonjudicial stamp paper and as per the state regulations and guidelines. The affidavit should be notarized by a public notary or magistrate to make it legally valid and submittal.
Step 2: Newspaper Publication For Name Correction in Birth Certificate
To legally or officially change your name in India, it is important and mandatory to publish an advertisement of your name change in two newspapers, one in English and one in your regional language for public notice.
- One in the local language: This helps notify the local community.
- One in English: This ensures broader public notice.
The published newspaper advertisement must include correct details such as:
- Your old name (current), and the new name (corrected or changed name).
- A statement confirming that both names belong or refer to the exact same person.
- A valid reason and explanation of the reason for the name change.
Make sure to keep the clippings or the original copies of these newspapers as you will require them when you submit your name change in birth certificate application in India.
Step 3: Gazette Notification For Correcting Name in Birth Certificate
A gazette notification is the most important legally valid document that is essential to make your name change legally bound and recognized by government authorities and institutions. Here’s how you can apply for the gazette notification for a name change in birth certificate in India:
- Prepare a Gazette Application: The first thing you will require is to fill out the form required for the gazette notification which is provided by the government printing press.
- Attach Supporting Documents: Include the copy of your notarized affidavit stating your current name, correct name, and reason for the name change along with the newspaper advertisement clippings, proof of identity, and other required or supporting documents.
- Pay the Required Fee: Pay the required fee for processing your application for a gazette name change in birth certificate in India. The processing fee may vary depending on the state or region you are applying from.
- Submit Your Application: Once you have completed your application and prepared all the necessary documents, you can submit the application either online if the online service is available in your state or visit the concerned authority to submit your gazette name change application offline. Once your name change is published in the Gazette, your name change will be considered legally valid and now you can update your name in all of your official documents through the Gazette notification.
Step 4: Submission of Application For Name Change Procedure in Birth Certificate
Now, when you have completed the affidavit, published advertisements in newspapers, and got your gazette notification, you will need to compile all the supporting documents supporting your name change in birth certificate application and submit them to the concerned authority such as:
- Municipal Corporation Office: Visit the municipal corporation office for changes related to the birth certificate issued by the local authorities.
- District Registrar’s Office: Some of the cases are handled by the district registrar so you might need to visit the District Registrar’s office to change the name in your birth certificate.
- Online Portals: In India, there are several states and regions that offer the facility to apply for name change in birth certificate online. The online gazette name change procedure for birth certificate is similar to the offline procedure. Prepare the affidavit, publish the newspaper advertisement, upload scanned documents, pay the processing fees online, and track your name change application progress through the reference number.
For name change in birth certificate in the India online application, make sure that you have copies of all the required documents such as:
- The copy of the original birth certificate.
- The notarized affidavit.
- Newspaper advertisement clippings.
- The Gazette notification.
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.).
Once the application is verified and approved, a new birth certificate with your correct name will be issued by the concerned authority.
How to Change Name in Birth Certificate India Online?
Here’s how to change name in Birth Certificate India online:
- Visit the Official Website: First you have to visit the official government website that handles the name change in birth certificate issues.
- Register or Log In: If you are a new user, register with your details and create an account. For existing users, you may log in with your credentials on the official online government portal.
- Fill Out the Application Form: Fill out the application form with personal details such as your current name, old name, and other required personal information.
- Upload Scanned Documents: Now you have to upload the necessary documents required for the name change in birth certificate. Upload the scanned copies of your notarized affidavit, newspaper clippings, and other supporting documents.
- Pay the Fees Online: Pay the name change application processing fee using the online portal.
- Submit and Track Your Application: Once you have successfully submitted your name change application, you will receive a reference number that you can use to track the status of your name change in birth certificate in India application.
Key Points to Remember During the Name Change in Birth Certificate Process
Here are the things that you need to keep in mind when applying for name change in birth certificate in India:
- Accuracy is Crucial: Make sure there are no mistakes in your application for name change in birth certificate and other necessary documents. So, it’s always a good idea to double-check your application and documents to make sure they have your correct information.
- Follow State Guidelines: Every state in India has slightly different procedures and stamp paper values. To avoid delays or rejection in your name change application, make sure you follow the procedure and guidelines of your state.
- Keep Copies of Everything: Keep copies of your affidavit, newspaper clippings, Gazette notification, and application forms for future reference.
- Professional Help is Available: If you are unable to follow the name change procedure and find the process difficult, you can get assistance from the field of experts such as YourDoorStep. YourDoorStep can help you walk you through the entire process of name change in birth certificate. From drafting affidavits, applying for gazette notifications, and newspaper publications to preparing all the necessary documents required for the name correction procedure in India, YourDoorStep does it all.
- Timelines May Vary: The processing time can vary from state to state. It may take a few weeks to a couple of months for the revised birth certificate to be issued.
Also Read,
- How to Obtain an Unmarried Certificate in India: A Complete Guide
- Gazette Name Change Procedure in Delhi
- Aadhar Card Name and Address Change After Marriage: A Complete Guide
- Complete Guide to Gazette Name Change Procedure in India
Conclusion
Changing your name in your birth certificate is important especially when there are mistakes or incorrect details in it. Updating your birth certificate is important to ensure that all of your official documents are consistent. Whether you want to correct the spelling mistake, incorrect date of birth or incorrect parent’s details in your birth certificate, you can easily make corrections and changes in your birth certificate by following this guide.
