How to make an affidavit for name correction in birth certificate?

Are you facing problems because of an incorrect name on your legal or official documents and looking for a way to fix it? If yes, then you, my friend, are in the right place. A simple mistake in your name such as a spelling mistake, missing middle name, or an incorrect father’s anime can cause various problems, especially in verification processes when trying to get a passport, update your birth certificate, or open a new bank account.

Such mistakes and incorrect names on your documents can lead to delays or even rejection in the verification process when identifying your identity. But now, when you are at the doorstep of YourDoorStep, there’s nothing to worry about. At yourdoorstep, you can easily solve such problems.

For a variety of reasons, people alter their names. Making an affidavit for name correction is the first step towards officially changing your name. In India, changing one’s original birth name is extremely prevalent and pervasive. The legal process is the same regardless of the cause. The applicant must be at least 18 years old to change their name, which is the only likely eligibility requirement. This page explains how to create an affidavit and name change in your birth certificate as well as guides you on how to use one to legally change your name, among other things.

With our guide on “Affidavit for name correction,” you will be able to correct or change your name easily as it explains the entire process of how to prepare a correct affidavit for name change, an affidavit for change of father name, an affidavit for change of name in birth certificate, or an affidavit for correction of birth certificate.

People may choose to change their legal name for a variety of reasons, including changes in gender, marriage, personal preferences, and changes in their religion. A legal name change may involve changing an initial, the whole name, adding a surname, changing the surname, or changing the spelling, among other things. Parent or guardian applications for legal name changes for minors are acceptable.

In this article, you will also learn how to create the right affidavit for name correction, get it notarised, and get your name change published in a newspaper advertisement. Let’s get started with today’s topic and learn how you can correct your name in your official documents legally with an affidavit for name correction.

What Is an Affidavit?

Affidavits are used as oaths. In this document, you make a statement and a declaration that, to the best of your knowledge, the statement is true. What is name change affidavit? It is a written declaration that is professed in front of someone who has the power to administer an oath. An administrative affidavit, such as one for a legal name change, can be attested by a notary public.

A person’s whole name, a portion of their name, a few letters in their name, or all of their name can be changed using an affidavit.

What Is an Affidavit for Name Correction?

An affidavit for name correction is a valid legal document that states that the information provided is true and can be used to correct the name on other official or legal documents. When looking for name correction, an affidavit is the most important document that not only serves as proof of your right or intended name but it can also be used to update your other legal documents.

So in case you are required to correct a spelling mistake in your name, a missing middle name, or an incorrect father’s name, an affidavit for name change is the first document that you require to start your name change process in India.

Why Is a Name Correction Affidavit Important?

Having the correct name on your official document is mandatory to keep your documents legally valid. Having an incorrect name in your documents may cause problems such as:

• Passport delays: It is important to have similar names in all of your legal documents such as your name on the affidavit and on your birth certificate or other legal or government-issued document for the verification process.

• Banking Issues: Having different names on your official documents can cause discrepancies which can lead to rejection in transactions or loan applications.

• Educational and Employment complications: Having a similar name on your official documents is essential when applying for education, a job, or availing benefits from government schemes.

It’s only by preparing an affidavit for name correction, you can make sure that all of your official records are consistent and up to date, mandatory to avoid legal complications in the verification process.

Types of Name Correction Affidavits

Now if you were wondering, how many types of name correction affidavits are there? Let me tell you, there are several types of affidavits that are used to correct different aspects of your name. It’s important to understand which affidavit is used for which purpose. 

Affidavit for Name Correction in General

An affidavit for name correction is a document that you can use to declare the discrepancy in your name such as a spelling mistake in your name or a missing middle name and provide your correct name using this certificate. This affidavit for name change can then be used to update or make changes in our other official documents such as your passport, educational certificate, and other important legal documents.

Affidavit for Change of Father Name

An affidavit for change of father name is used to address discrepancies related to a father’s name. For example, if your official document such as your birth certificate has an incorrect father’s name, you can correct it using an affidavit for change of father name without any legal complications.

Affidavit for Correction of Name in Birth Certificate

If your birth certificate has an incorrect name on it, whether it’s a spelling mistake or an entirely different name, an affidavit for correction of name in birth certificate can be used to legally correct or change your name on birth certificate. Make sure to notarize your affidavit along with the required supporting documents.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Name Correction Affidavit

Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to create a name correction affidavit:

Step 1: Drafting the Affidavit

In the first step, you are required to create an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper of the value prescribed to your state. The affidavit should clearly state your old name (current name), your new name (or intended name or correct name), a valid reason for the name change along with a declaration that both the names refer to the same person.

A sample affidavit might read:

“I, [Your Correct Name], son/daughter of [Parent’s Name], solemnly affirm that the name mentioned as [Incorrect Name] on my [document name] is incorrect. I hereby declare that my correct name is [Your Correct Name] and request that all records be updated accordingly.”

Step 2: Notarization Of Name Correction Affidavit

In the next step, you have to notarize the affidavit, and to do that you have to visit a notary public or a magistrate who can attest to your identity and witness your signature. Notarization of your affidavit is important to make it legally valid and acknowledged by the government authorities.

Step 3: Supporting Documentation Required For Name Correction Affidavit

To legally change your name through a name correction affidavit you require a set of documents to support and process your name change request. Documents required for affidavit name correction are:

• A copy of your existing birth certificate with your incorrect name on it.
• A government issues Identity proof such as an Aadhar Card, PAN card, or Voter ID.
• Newspaper publication in two newspapers one in English and one in your regional language.

Step 4: Publication in Newspapers (if required)

Some jurisdictions require you to publish your name correction affidavit in two newspapers, one in English and one in regional language for public notice. The announcement serves as proof of your name change and that your name change request is widely known and recognized.

Step 5: Gazette Notification For Name Correction

To make your name change legally binding across all of your official documents, you require a gazette notification. Now if you are thinking about how you can get a gazette notification, then think not. To get a gazette notification, you need to submit your affidavit and supporting documents to the government printing press or the relevant gazette office.

This is an important step especially if you are changing your name on birth certificates and passports. The gazette notification is legally valid proof that confirms your name change and makes sure that your new name is recognized at the highest level.

Step 6: Submission to the Relevant Authorities

In the final step, you have to submit the notarized affidavit along with all the necessary documents supporting your cause or reason for name change to the concerned authority. The concerned authority could be:

• The municipal office for a birth certificate correction.
• The passport office for updating passport details.
• Any other department where your records need to be corrected.

Once you have submitted your name change request along with the supporting documents, and once the documents are verified by the concerned authority and there are no errors in them, the authority will update your records accordingly.

Creating a Name Change Affidavit

Writing an affidavit for name correction requires taking into account the following information:

1. You must state both your present name and the suggested new name. When mentioning your recommended new name, pay close attention to the spelling.

1. The affidavit must include all of your current contact information. This should match the address on your identity documents.
2. The affidavit must be accompanied by a passport-size photograph.
3. You must use stamp paper with a minimum value of Rupees 10, 20, or any other amount specified by the state to print the affidavit for the legal name change.
4. The affidavit must be signed by two gazetted officers, bear their rubber stamps, and be notarized at the closest notary office under the legal procedure.
5. You must keep a copy of the affidavit because it might be required by law in the future.
6. For NRIs who want to alter their legal name, they must submit a form and get it certified by the Indian High Commission or Indian Embassy.

In what circumstances should I use an affidavit for a name change?

Numerous factors, including personal preference, marriage (for women), change of faith, modification or adjustment of the name based on numerological advice, etc., can lead to a name change. The term “change of name” can also refer to adding a word to an existing name, changing the spelling, changing the surname, etc. Before deciding, weigh all the benefits and drawbacks of renaming yourself.

Use an affidavit if you’ve stopped using your old name and are switching to your new one. Use the Same Name Affidavit if you need to submit an affidavit proving that you have used multiple spellings of the same name or have been known by two names. Here below I mention a dob affidavit format.

Affidavit Sample for Legal Name Change

Here is the following instance for change of name affidavit format: – That all of my academic transcripts and other pertinent documents have my name listed as (previous name). My name has changed from (old name) to (new name) as a result of this affidavit, and from this point forward, I will be referred to by my new name for all purposes.

Common Uses of Name Correction Affidavits

Name correction affidavits are an important piece of documents that is used for a variety of legal and administrative purposes. Here are some of the most common uses of name correction affidavits:

• Passport Applications and Corrections: If your passport has an incorrect name on it and if you want to correct your name on your passport or even change it, you will require an affidavit for name change along with your passport application to update your name on your passport legally.

• Birth Certificate Corrections: If your birth certificate contains your incorrect name or a wrong name or incorrect father’s name, you can use an affidavit for correction of name or father’s name in your birth certificate and make it legally valid and recognized.

• Educational and Employment Records: Having inconsistency in your name is important especially when applying for schools, colleges, passports, jobs, etc. Having different names may lead to delay, rejection, or legal complications in your application and various identity verification processes.

• Bank and Financial Transactions: Institutes such as banks require accurate and valid personal details for opening a bank account, applying for load, and other financial transactions or services. An affidavit for name change can help you easily change or correct your name as well as help you update existing official and legal records.

How Do I Create an Affidavit for a Name Change?

If all three steps are carefully followed, the name change can be completed in a short amount of time. The first and most important step in the process is the creation of the affidavit format for birth certificate.

If you looking for what is name change affidavit? Then I will let you that making an affidavit and swearing in front of a Notary or a Magistrate are the first steps. For quick results, you can visit the website who’s providing you these services. There you can use the straightforward navigation form to finish the affidavit in under two minutes. Simply provide your information, including your first and maiden names, the purpose for the name change, your address, your age, etc.

This must be printed on non-judicial stamp paper with a predetermined value.

How Can It Be Made Valid And Legally Enforceable?

Since obtaining a magistrate’s appointment could be challenging, you might seek a Notary signature, which is as reliable.

Print out the text on stamp paper with the necessary value (the Notary will advise you) and get it notarized.

If an Indian is living abroad, they must produce a deed that has been properly authenticated by the local Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission.

The most important step in the name-changing procedure is this affidavit for name correction. The affidavit’s notarization means that you are almost done with the process.

Feature in Newspapers

The affidavit for name correction must be notarized before you may move on to the next step, which is to immediately publish the name change in two local newspapers.

• A classified ad must be published in a daily news outlet that is published in the official local language of the state.

• The second classification really does need to appear in a nearby English newspaper.
• For more information on this, you can speak with the newspaper’s office directly. They can provide you with advice on the structure and typically have a section just for name change adverts.

Ask for a bundle (for classifieds in English and the state language) to save money and time since most media firms have multilingual editions in the same state.

Article in the State Gazette

You may be able to publish the name change in the official State gazette in some states.

In some states, this is not a legal requirement. For instance, in Karnataka, only workers of the state government are subject to the name change gazette publication. You can acquire more information about the process by speaking with the controller of publishing, or government press, in your state.

To have your information published in the upcoming issue of the gazette, you might need to present other important papers in addition to the original affidavit. For more information, central government personnel should contact the HR representative for their department.

To find out the documents needed, call them and speak with them. You might also think about going there.

Typically, you’ll need to provide an affidavit copy, copies of recently published newspaper classifieds, address and identification documents, passport photos, and the necessary money.

You will be informed of the name change published in the gazette according to the deadlines and given a copy of the gazette for your records.

For government workers, gazette publication is required; for everyone else, it is not. However, they might ask you for a copy of the Gazette if you need to update your records with banks, brokerages, or government records.

Tips for a Successful Name Correction Process

Apply for a name change with numerous banking institutions and governmental organizations (such as voter identification, PAN cards, and passports). Along with submitting the affidavit and newspaper articles supporting the name change, you might also need to complete a second specialized form. It is better for your future if you update your name as soon as possible with these sources.

• Double-check all Details: Always double-check to verify your current document to identify the mistakes in your documents. Make sure that your affidavit has correct spelling or your name and accurate format.

• Consult a Legal Expert: If you find the process for name change complicated, you can always consult with a lawyer or legal service provider such as YourDoorStep to assist you with the proper wording and processing.

• Maintain Consistency: Once your name is corrected and you have received your gazette notification, make sure to update all of your other legal official documents using the gazette notification to maintain uniformity across your official records.

Why Your Doorstep?

Not just an affidavit but the complete legal name change procedure is available at your doorstep. The greatest benefit is that you don’t need to come to our offices. Simply sign with us online, mail us the necessary paperwork, and we’ll take care of getting your name legally changed.

Conclusion

An affidavit of name change or correction is an important legal document through which you can easily update or correct your official legal documents such as your birth certificate, passport, Aadhaar card and more. Whether you want to correct a spelling mistake, or change name due to marriage, divorce, or any other personal reasons, you can do it by simply going through the name change procedure as mentioned in the guide.

However, if you find it difficult to draft an affidavit and navigate through the name change procedure, you can get help from a legal document advisor or consultant such as YourDoorStep. YourDoorStep is India’s top legal trusted document services provider and can help you draft an affidavit in the correct format as well as walk you through the entire name change procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions