It is essential to reflect your correct name and identity throughout your documents. If anything has changed or is incorrectly mentioned in your documents like on aadhaar card, PAN card, birth certificate, passport, etc. It should be the top priority to rectify this error immediately before any complications arise.
Here in this article, we have explained all the essential steps you need to take while going for a Name Change procedure, and also shared the list of required documents with some tips so that can get it done without any effort easily sitting at home. Read this full guide to explore the correct Name Change process in India.
Eligibility and Reasons To Change Name
Firstly we should know the situations in which we can change our names in India. These are:
- An applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- There must be a valid reason for changing names like marriage, divorce, typo errors, or personal preference.
- The desired surname should be in the legal documents of a guardian.
- Mother wants to revert to her maiden name and has custody of her child.
- A child’s adoption
- Error in father’s name
- Incorrect date of birth
- Mother marrying to another person
- A court decree to change the name
- Religion change
Documents Required to Change Your Name
Following is the list of documents required to apply for changing your name. You may need to submit these supporting documents with a name change application to the concerned department online or offline. You may ask our assistance to prepare these or contact us for free legal and personalized assistance.
- Name change application form
- A copy of the Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce decree Copy (if applicable)
- Address Proof – the electricity bill, ration card, etc.
- ID Proof – Passport, Voter ID, aadhaar card, etc.
- Affidavit (Original copy) – A self-declaration statement with a notary on stamp paper stating a valid reason for changing the name on a government-prescribed affidavit format.
- Newspaper Advertisement (Original Copies) – Two public notices to be published in a regional and a national newspaper announcing you are changing your name.
- Gazette Notification – A gazette certificate issued by the publication department of the government of India about your new name.
- Fee Receipt – Receipt of government fee, for processing the gazette notification application.
- Court Order: In some situations especially while separating the parents, minor children can fall into this situation. This needs to involve a professional lawyer and can be more time-consuming and expensive. You may contact our professional lawyers if you are in such a situation.
How to Get A Gazette Notification for Name Change Procedure In India
The individuals who want to change their names or update them must have published their new names in the Indian Gazette. To publish a gazette notification for your changed name you need to follow three main steps that we have explained below:
- Name Change Affidavit:
An affidavit should be prepared on a Rs. 20/- stamp paper with a public notary, to state that you are changing your name. It must mention your current name, desired new name, father’s or husband’s name, address, and contact details, and must typed in a government-prescribed format. Our name change expert agents will help you with this, call the number displayed on the screen.
- Newspaper Advertisement:
You must publish two Newspaper advertisements in a regional and a national newspaper to inform the public about your new name. It should be in a government-decided format. Have copies of these publications and the date should also be shown.
- Gazette Notification Publication:
Get a name change application form from the gazette office to publish a gazette notification, attach all the documents (as per your case) including the original copies of the affidavit and newspaper advertisements, pay the prescribed fee to the designated authority at the Gazette of India office online or offline. After completing all these your new name will get published in the Indian gazette.
How To Change Name on a Birth Certificate
Once you get the gazette certificate, visit the regional municipal office to make corrections. Get an application form and attach the above-said documents. Pay the prescribed fee and apply. Once the verification process is done you’ll get a new birth certificate with updated information.
How To Change Name on Aadhaar Card
Offline Process:
Once you get the gazette certificate, visit the aadhaar enrolment centre to make corrections to your aadhaar card. Get an application form if proceeding offline and attach the above-said documents. Pay the prescribed fee to apply. Once the verification process is done you’ll get a new aadhaar card with updated information.
Online Process:
For the online process log in to UIDAI website to make corrections to your aadhaar card. Once the website gets fully loaded click on the option “My Aadhaar” then “Update My Aadhaar”. follow the instructions given on the screen, upload the scanned copies of all supporting documents, and submit. Pay the processing fee and you are done. You’ll get your new aadhaar card once the process and verification is complete.
How To Change Name on Your Passport
To change your name on your passport you need to visit the passport office of your region. Get the application form, attach all the supporting documents, pay the fee, and apply. Once the document verification and police verification are done you’ll get your new passport with updated details.
How Can We Help You?
We have a team of lawyers and expert name-change agents who are updated with the laws and procedures. We help you get a gazette notification, prepare an affidavit, publish newspaper advertisements, and update your name on your legal documents.
We have been since last 9 years in this field and helped thousands of clients to update their names legally. Over 1000 clients have given us their reviews and 4.6/5 ratings for our quality and satisfied services. Call us for a free consultation now.
FAQs
Q: What is the cost of the name change in India?
A: The cost of changing the name in India may vary depending upon the documents to be prepared, departmental charges, and agent’s fees. You may call us to know the exact amount to be paid to change your name, in India, legally.
Q: How to legally change a name in India?
A: To change your name legally in India you need to prepare an affidavit, publish two newspaper advertisements, and a gazette notification. Read above for the complete process and document list.
Q: How many days does it take to change a name?
A: It takes 3-8 weeks to change a name legally in India.
