Sample Format & Steps For Name Change Affidavit in India | How To Make Affidavit For Name Change in India

A name change affidavit is a legal document essential for changing a name in India. It is the foremost document that you need to prepare while deciding to legally change your name. It can be by various reasons like after marriage, divorce, adoption, rectifying any typo error, or other personal reasons, you will need this affidavit.

In this blog, we have explained how you can get a name change affidavit easily. The steps are simple and you can follow them easily. Let’s discussing all one by one:

What is a Name Change Affidavit?

A name change affidavit is a legal document. It officially declares that you want to change your name. This document is signed by you and a notary public.

You need this affidavit for various reasons such as:

1. To legally change your name on government-issued identity documents like Aadhaar, PAN card, or passport.
2. Publishing your new name in newspapers and the Gazette of India.
3. Avoiding future problems related to your identity.

What is The Need to Make Affidavit For Name Change?

Here are some reasons people need a name change affidavit:

1. Marriage: Many women change their surname after marriage.
2. Divorce: After divorce, some people want to return to their old name.
3. Spelling Errors: Fixing mistakes in official documents.
4. Religion: Changing names for religious reasons.
5. Adoption: Adopting a new name legally.

Having an affidavit makes the process smooth and ensures your name change is legally valid.

How to Get a Name Change Affidavit?

Getting a name change affidavit in India is easy. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Write the Affidavit

A name change affidavit must be printed or written on stamp paper and must be notarized. The affidavit must include the following:

• Your old name.
• Your desired new name.
• The reason for changing your name.
• Your address.
• A declaration that all information is true.

Example:
“I, [Your Old Name], son/daughter/wife of (Parent’s Name/Husband’s Name), residing at (Your Address), declare that I have changed my name from (Old Name) to (New Name) for the reason (Explain Reason for Name Change).”

Step 2: Print the Affidavit

• Once the content is ready, print it on stamp paper (if required in your state).
• The value of the stamp paper depends on your state laws (usually ₹10 to ₹100).

Step 3: Get it Notarized

• Take this typed or written affidavit to a notary public.
• The notary person will review your affidavit.
• You have to sign this affidavit in front of the notary.
• Then notary will stamp and sign your affidavit after verifying to make it legally valid.

Documents Required for Name Change Affidavit

To get your affidavit notarized, you may need the following documents:

1. Aadhaar card (or any government-issued ID).
2. Address proof (like a utility bill or voter ID).
3. Proof of reason for name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.).
4. Passport-sized photograph (if required).

What to Do After Getting the Affidavit?

Once you have your name change affidavit, follow these steps to complete the process:

Step 1: Publish in Newspapers

• Publish your name change notice in two newspapers: one local and one national.
• Include your old name, new name, and address in the notice.

Example:
“I, [Your Old Name], residing at [Your Address], have changed my name to [Your New Name]. Please note this for all future references.”

Step 2: Apply for Gazette Notification

• Submit your name change affidavit and newspaper ads to the Gazette of India.
• Pay the required fee and wait for the publication of your name change.

Step 3: Update Your Documents

Once your name change is published in the gazette, update your name in:

1. Aadhaar card.
2. PAN card.
3. Passport.
4. Bank accounts.
5. Educational certificates.

Tips for a Smooth Name Change Process

1. Write the affidavit clearly and without errors.
2. Always use valid ID proofs to avoid rejection.
3. Keep extra copies of the affidavit for future use.
4. Save the original affidavit safely.
5. Consult a notary public if you are unsure about the format.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Name Change Affidavit in India?

The cost of preparing a name change affidavit is usually as below:

1. Stamp Paper costs: Rs.10 to Rs.100 (depending on the state and respective law).
2. Notary Fee: Rs.100 to Rs.300 usually.
3. Newspaper Ads: Rs.500 to Rs.1500 (varies by newspaper publications).

FAQs About Name Change Affidavit

Q1: Can I create the affidavit myself?

A: Yes, anyone can write the affidavit but it must be in the proper format and notarized.

Q2: Is a notary stamp mandatory?

A: Yes, the notary stamp is an essential step to make the affidavit legally valid.

Q3: How long does it take to get a name change affidavit?

A: You can get it done in a day if you have all the documents ready.

Q4: Is a name change affidavit enough to update my documents?

A: No, you also need a gazette notification to complete the name change process.

How We Can Help You?

However, preparing a name change affidavit is a simple process in India if you follow the correct steps as mentioned above. But many people face difficulty in getting it prepared, If you are the one don’t worry, we are here to help you by assigning an expert law professional to prepare your name change affidavit on your behalf.

After getting this affidavit you can move on to the next steps of a name change process like newspaper ads and gazette notifications. We highly recommend you to hire our registered name change agency’s expert agent and take the full service involved in the name change procedure.