Are you looking to change your name and surname or just a minor change in Delhi? Do you want to correct your name and reflect it on your documents accurately? Follow this guide to reflect your personality better, and maintain accuracy throughout your documents.
Whatever the reason, like marriage, or divorce, changing your name in Delhi might be a challenging task. But don’t worry! We are here to help you, if you get stuck we’ll hold your hand and get your work done easily. You need to make a call to talk to our legal experts and take a free consultation.
In this guide, we have explained the typical legal procedure into easy-to-follow steps, so that you follow the process easily. Before jumping straight to the procedure for name change in Delhi we must know the reasons. Let’s discuss:
Why Change Your Name in Delhi? / Reason For Name Change In Delhi
It is important to reflect your correct identity on documents. There could be many reasons why individuals choose to change their names. Here are some common reasons:
- Marriage:
Traditionally, females in India adopt their spouse’s surname after marriage. However, the choice to change your name is entirely yours, regardless of gender.
- Divorce:
After a divorce, females might want to revert to their maiden name for a new start.
- Personal Preference:
Many celebrities change their name if they feel the name might not resonate with their personality anymore, or they might have a new name that feels more suitable to their identity.
- Adoption:
If a child has been adopted, you must choose to change the name of your child to your adoptive family’s name.
- Religious Conversion:
A person who has converted to another religion can start a new chapter of life, with a new identity to show religious conversion or spiritual journey.
What Is Gazette Notification in Delhi:
A gazette notification is the simplest and the most common way to change a name. It involves publishing a notification about your new name in the official government gazette by the Central Government Department of Publication. It stands as a widely recognized official document worldwide.
Eligibility For Name Change In Delhi
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Must have a valid reason to change name.
- If changing the surname then the desired surname must be documented on the guardian’s legal documents.
Documents Required For Name Change in Delhi:
Before you begin the name change process you must know the supporting formalities. Firstly, prepare all the necessary documents to save time and frustration (our legal expert will help you with this). Here’s what you’ll need:
- Proof of Identity:
It can be an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID card, or driving license.
- Proof of Address:
Your electricity bill, postpaid mobile bill, water bill, or ration card (issued in your current name) can serve as address proof.
- Old Name Documents:
Photocopies of your existing documents like birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce decree (if applicable), and educational certificates.
- Affidavit:
A self-declaration statement on stamp paper.
- Newspaper Advertisement Copies:
Proof of your name change notice published in newspapers.
- CD:
While choosing your new name to publish in the Gazette of India, you’ll need a copy of a CD mentioning all the details.
Legal Name Change Process In Delhi:
After completing all the above documents now need to apply for the gazette notification, let’s delve into the step-by-step process:
1. Preparing An Affidavit:
- Visit a local notary public in Delhi and draft an affidavit on a stamp paper in government-prescribed format.
- The affidavit should state a valid reason for the name change, your old name, and your new chosen name. It should also include your details like your father’s name/husband’s name, address, age, and occupation.
- Now you’ll need to sign this affidavit and have it notarized.
2. Newspaper Publication Of Name Change Advertisement:
- Choose a local newspaper of Delhi (in a regional language) and place an advertisement announcing you are changing your name.
- Now choose a national newspaper and publish the same advertisement there.
- The advertisements should mention your old name, new name, father’s/husband’s name (whatever is applicable), current address, and contact details.
- Keep all copies of the documents for your records.
3. Gazette Notification:
- Publishing your name change in the Gazette of India is a simple process but might be complicated for you due to the lack of correct procedure.
- Submit a name change application form obtained from the Gazette Office with the required fees.
- Attach the documents with the name change application and submit them to the Department of Publications in Delhi. The process can be done online or offline.
- It takes a few weeks for the notification to be published in the Gazette.
How To Update Your Name on Other Documents
Once your name change is official and published on the gazette, update your other legal documents like your Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, and driving license. Below is the guide for your help:
Submit the affidavit copy, newspaper advertisement copies, Gazette notification, and proof of identity for each document update to the respective departments.
Update Name on PAN Card in Delhi
Get a copy of the gazette notification and submit it to the Income Tax office either online or offline. Attach other required documents and a copy of your previous PAN card.
Apply For A Name Change on Aadhaar Card
Take one copy of the gazette notification and submit it at the UIDAI office at the designated desk along with other required documents and a copy of your previous aadhar card. Pay the prescribed fee to get a new aadhaar card reflecting a new identity.
Name Change on Passport
Submit a copy of the gazette notification at the Regional Passport office at the designated desk. Attach supporting documents like your marriage certificate or divorce decree with your identity proof. Also, submit a copy of your previous passport, and pay the fee for processing.
Name Change on Birth Certificate
Submit your name change application at the municipal office at the designated desk and surrender your original birth certificate (keep a photocopy with you) with other required documents like a gazette copy, ID proof, and address proof. You’ll get a new birth certificate with the correct and desired name.
Name Change on Educational Certificate in Delhi
You’ll have to contact the concerned board of examinations in Delhi, submit one copy of the gazette notification, and submit your original 10th or 12th mark sheet or certificate at the designated desk. Attach other required documents and pay the fee to get a new updated educational certificate.
Note: Contact the concerned issuing authorities of the documents and ask for specific procedures and fees associated with updating each document.
Benefits of Changing Name Legally in Delhi:
However changing the name is a personal choice of individuals, some changes by their personal preferences, and traditional rituals, or some forcefully by a court decree. It is necessary to reflect your correct identity in your legal documents, whatever the reason.
Here are some practical benefits associated with changing your name:
Official Recognition:
Your new name will be reflected in all your official documents and you can start with your new identity and avoid confusion.
Financial Transactions:
Changing your name on bank accounts, insurance assets, and investment documents ensures smooth financial transactions under your new identity.
Travel Documents:
A name change on your passport and other travel documents simplifies travel experiences, getting a visa, and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Taking Admission:
If you’re a student or want to study further, then your new name on documents will be used for the documentation and ease the verification process.
Applying For A Job:
If you’re going to apply for a job in Delhi and you’ve changed your name. The gazette notification will help to reflect your new identity and to maintain the accuracy throughout your documents
Peace of Mind:
Having a legal name reflecting the correct identity can be peaceful, enhance confidence, and ownership of belongings, and avoid future misunderstandings.
How Can We Help You?
However, to follow the process yourself is possible but is time-consuming and hectic. Our expert lawyers specializing in name change can offer guidance and ensure everything is done correctly and on time. We have:
- 10+ years of experience in changing names in Delhi.
- A team of experienced legal practitioners.
- 4.6/5 ratings, given by our satisfied clients.
- More than 1000 positive reviews by our happy customers.
Bonus Tips For a Smooth Process Of Changing Name Legally in Delhi
- Call us to get a free consultation with our expert lawyers and ask your queries.
- We’ll get your documents ready on your behalf.
- Our experts will follow up with the government departments to submit the application, the fee, and fast processing.
- You’ll need to prepare an affidavit and publish newspaper advertisements, our agent will do it.
- Estimated timelines for the complete name change process in Delhi can vary depending on factors like newspaper publication schedules, government holidays, and processing times by government publication agencies.
- Wait for a few weeks to complete the process.
- There are associated costs for notary fees, newspaper advertisement, and the Gazette Notification Process, that you’ll have to pay.
FAQs
Q: What is the estimated time to publish a gazette notification in Delhi?
A: It takes 3-5 weeks for the entire process of verification, depending on newspaper publication schedules and government processing times.
Q: How much is the cost involved in this process?
A: You should expect to incur a nominal fee for affidavit preparation, newspaper advertisements, and a Gazette notification publication.
Q: Where is the Gazette office in Delhi?
A: The Gazette Office in Delhi address is Civil Lines, Delhi-54, 011-23817640. Kitab Mahal, Baba Kharg Singh Marg, State Emporium Unit No. New Delhi-110001
