Affidavit for Name Change in India – Complete Legal Guide 2025

Many people in India face difficulties when trying to legally change their name due to the complex process and lack of understanding about the requirements. The key step to start this process is creating an Affidavit for Name Change in India, which is a legal document that serves as proof of your intent to change your name, mentioning your current name, the desired new name, and the reason for the change. This affidavit must be signed before a notary or magistrate. Following this, publishing a name change advertisement in two newspapers (one regional and one English) and notifying the government through a Gazette notification ensures the name change is officially recognized. By understanding and completing these steps accurately, individuals can update their legal documents hassle-free

It is a legal statement obligatory to have an affidavit for a change of name in India to support any name change process. They serve as declarations informing the current name, proposed name, and purpose. Remember that this affidavit must be made before a notary or a magistrate. It is a process that is next to the name change process since its legal validity is checked and frequently document-supported. Whether individual or organizational, corporate or cultural, the affidavit remains an essential tool in updating official documents and identities such as IDs, passports, and certificates.

What Is Name Change Affidavit ?

A Name Change Affidavit is a legal document used to declare and authenticate the change of a person’s name. It officially records the old name, the new name, and the reason for the name change, making it a valid proof for legal and administrative purposes. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, there are different types of name change affidavits, such as:

1. For Men: Used by men who wish to modify or change their name for personal, religious, or other reasons.
2. For Women: Commonly used by women after marriage, divorce, or for personal reasons.
3. For Minors: Created by parents or guardians on behalf of a child under 18 years of age.

This affidavit must be signed and verified by a notary or magistrate before proceeding with further steps like newspaper advertisements and government gazette notifications.

What Is Name Change?

A name change is a legal process where someone changes his first name, middle name, or last name. This change may be prompted by the person for diverse individual, cultural, or permutational purposes. In India, the process of changing a name comprises making an affidavit, newspaper advertisement, and record alteration. It needs paperwork and must strictly follow legal processes to ensure that there are minimal issues in future identification or verification.

Causes of Making Name Change Affidavit in India

The causes of making a Name Change Affidavit in India stem from various personal, social, or legal reasons. Common causes include:

1. Marriage: Women often adopt their husband’s surname or make other changes post-marriage.
2. Divorce: Following a divorce, individuals, particularly women, might revert to their maiden name or choose a new name.
3. Personal Preference: Dissatisfaction with the current name, or choosing a name that aligns better with identity or ease of pronunciation.
4. Numerology or Astrology: Changing the name to align with favorable numerological or astrological beliefs.
5. Adoption: Altering the name of adopted children to reflect their new family name.
6. Legal Errors: Correcting spelling mistakes or discrepancies in official documents.
7. Religious Conversion: Changing names after converting to a different religion or for spiritual reasons.

Creating a Name Change Affidavit is the first legal step in addressing these reasons, ensuring the transition is formally recognized.Here are some of the major causes for which a person applies for a name change.

Document Requried for Making Name Change Affidavit

To create a Name Change Affidavit in India, you need to provide certain documents as proof to ensure the process is legally valid. Here is a list of the documents required:

1. Identity Proof: A government-issued ID such as Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License.
2. Address Proof: Documents like Aadhar Card, Electricity Bill, or Ration Card that confirm your residential address.
3. Photograph: Recent passport-sized photographs.
4. Proof of Old Name: Any document displaying your current/old name, such as a PAN Card, school certificate, or birth certificate.
5. Declaration: A written document stating your intent for the name change along with supporting reasons.

These documents are essential to create a valid affidavit, which then must be notarized or verified by a magistrate to make it legally acceptable.

Rules And Regulations For Making Name Change Affidavit In India

The rules and regulations for making a Name Change Affidavit in India require adherence to specific legal procedures to ensure the affidavit is valid and acceptable. Here are the key regulations:

1. Stamp Paper: The affidavit must be prepared on a non-judicial stamp paper of the prescribed value, depending on the state.
2. Format: Include all the required details in the affidavit, such as your current name, the new name, reason for the change, address, and a declaration affirming its authenticity. Ensure the language is clear and follows the standard legal format.
3. Attestation: The affidavit must be signed and attested either by a notary public or a magistrate to make it legally binding.
4. Voluntary Declaration: Declare that the name change is voluntary and not for fraudulent or illegal purposes, as fraudulent acts may lead to penalties under the Indian Penal Code.

Following these regulations is crucial for the affidavit to be considered lawful before proceeding with other steps like newspaper publication or gazette notification.

Documents Required For Name Change In India

Here is the list of documents required to change a name in India.

• Affidavit: An affidavit notarially completed and attesting to the man’s or woman’s purpose and plan for the change of name.
• Proof of Identity: Any proof of identity such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, Passport, or any other if applicable.
• Proof of Address: Electricity bill, rent receipt, or any other valid ID proof that has an address.
• Newspaper Publication: Photocopies of the ads placed in two dailies; a regional and an English one.
• Gazette Notification: Application and submission of fees for change of name in the Government Gazette.
• Marriage Certificate: They involve name changes, particularly for women after marriage or divorce.
• Court Order: When there are legal reasons for change of name or when the name to be changed is sensitive to change.

Process Of Name Change In India

Changing your name in India is a straightforward legal procedure involving three primary steps. Some of the legal formalities to be done include submitting a Name Change Affidavit, placing a Name Change Advertisement in Newspapers, and completing a Gazette Notification. 

The following is a step-by-step guide to help you understand the method for accomplishing each of these steps.

1. Name Change Affidavit
   

The initial process of doing the name change is to prepare an affidavit for the change of name. This affidavit serves as a formal declaration of your intention to change your name and includes critical details like:

• Your current name.
• The new name with which you want to be associated.
• The extent to which he or she was willing to go above the reason for the name change (such as marriage, divorce, numerology, or personal preference).

This affidavit must furthermore be signed before a notary public or a magistrate. It is used as the initial basis for your application for a change of your name and is a legal instrument. Make several affidavits that are notarized and kept aside for future use; in most of the verification processes, it is asked while updating records with banks, government bodies, or educational institutions.

2. Newspaper Advertisement In Newspaper
   

Once the affidavit is prepared, the next step is to publish a name change advertisement in two newspapers:

• A Regional-Language Newspaper.
• An English-language newspaper.

The advertisement must include:

• A new name, the name you currently go by.
• It is the short statement that proclaims the change of name.
• The address and phone number.
• A statement that allows the candidate to defend himself or herself and/or hear any objections from the public.

3. Gazette Notification
   

The last and the most important stage of name change is a record of the change in the Government of India Gazette. 

The process for gazette notification typically involves:

Application Form: The name change application can be obtained from the Department of Publication.

Required Documents: Other documents that need to be included when filling out the form are:

• Affidavit for name change attested before a notary public.
• See copies of the newspaper that contains the ads.
• The identity number of the Aadhaar or PAN card, etc.
• Documents proving a place of residence (electricity bill, passport, etc.).
• A passport-size photograph.

Submission and Fee Payment: Enclose your application and make the requisite fee payment. The application can be hand delivered or posted depending on the state’s laws on the method of submission of the application.

Gazette Publication: Your name change request will be granted in the official Gazette once implemented. Notice is considered proof of a change of name, especially when the original notification is a photocopy.

The publication makes sure that the public is informed of the name change and that anybody who may have an issue with it can come forward within a given period. Retain both advertisements as these are required for the next steps to be done:

Rules And Regulations For Name Change In India

The rules for name change in India have distinctive legal and administrative measures to ensure every name change procedure is secure and genuine.

1. Affidavit Submission: An Affidavit that is attested by a notary public is a must, and it should contain the details of the change of name with reasons for the name as they are now and the desired name.
2. Newspaper Advertisement: It is necessary to publish an announcement of the name change in two newspapers, local and national. This guarantees public visibility and even allows anyone with a complaint to raise it.
3. Gazette Notification: To legitimize the new name, it is required to publish it in the Government Gazette and then collect it to legalize it. It is mandatory for freshening state documents.
4. Supporting Documents: You have to attach other documents supporting your identity, address, and photographs to your application.
5. Legal Restrictions: Names cannot be vulgar, misleading, or unlawful. Any solicitations containing unscrupulous motives or criminal conduct in any way are not permitted.

Few Tips to Consider During a Change of Name

• Follow the Legal Procedure: Make sure you follow the legal processes, which are the affidavits, newspapers, and gazette notifications. This means that there are always complications when steps are left out.
• Retain All Records: The next procedure is to keep copies of the Affidavit, Advertisements, and the Gazette notification for future use. Such documents are crucial where you need to alter your name, particularly in legal entity records.
• Update All Documents: Once a name change is legally legal, change it across the necessary documents mentioned, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, account, and property.
• Check for Errors: Compare each document for misspellings or typos; for example, any other minor discrepancies are enough to spoil the entire verification.
• Anticipate Processing Time: It is divided into several stages and may, therefore, take anything from a week to months to complete. Opening and deleting mail should, therefore, be planned, especially if the documents being received are time-sensitive.

Conclusion

Renaming in India, therefore, is a rationalized process, but at the same time, its portable nature endows people with the choice to embrace new identity according to existing or perceived personal, cultural or professional imperatives. Despite several advantages, including the possibility of receiving legal recognition, the chance to start a completely new life, or the opportunity to get a better job, it is necessary to know and follow the rules.

Faqs:-

How Long Does The Entire Process Take?

The time required can vary based on the efficiency of local authorities and publication timelines but typically ranges from a few weeks to a couple of months.

Is It Necessary To Publish The Name Change In Newspapers?

Yes, publishing in at least two local newspapers is a mandatory step to ensure public notice of your name change.

Can Minors Change Their Names Through This Process?

Yes, parents or guardians can file an affidavit on behalf of minors to legally change their names following the same procedure.

Do I Need Legal Assistance To Change My Name?

While it is possible to complete this process independently, seeking legal advice can help navigate any complexities or specific requirements based on individual circumstances.