Complete Guide: How to Apply for Gazette Name Change in India
Your name is your identity. Whether it’s after marriage or because of a spelling mistake, it’s crucial to make it legally valid. The name change process is legal. Many people change their name after marriage, due to misspellings, a change in surname, or for other reasons. In this process, the person’s name must be consistent across all documents.
For this, you need a gazette notification for name change everywhere; you must publish a gazette notification. This gazette notification is considered official proof for updating your name in government departments, banks, schools, and as proof of identity. After reading this guide, you won’t need to visit any other website. Here, you’ll find answers to all your questions about changing your name.
What is Gazette Notification for Name Change ?
A Gazette notification is an official publication that publishes official and public announcements, new rules, and other official decisions. It is an official publication issued by the government. There are two types of gazettes in India: the State Gazette and the Central Gazette. The Central Gazette for name change because it is accepted universally.
Example – If your old name was Rahul Kumar and you want to change it to Rahul Sharma, the name change notification is published in the gazette notification. You can then change your name to Rahul Sharma in all your documents using that gazette notification.
Who can apply for a Name Change?
- Minor (Parents come through)
- Adults (18+)
- Government Employees
Why is Name Change Gazette Necessary?
Changing a name is a legal process. All proof and documents must be official and legal. Nowadays, any document requiring a name change requires a gazette notification as proof of the change.
A name change gazette is necessary because
- The gazette notification is legal proof of a name change.
- The gazette is required for changing names on Aadhaar cards, passports, or bank accounts.
- It helps with service records, property records, and school certificates.
- It helps resolve errors in the old and new names on documents.
- A name change is not accepted without a gazette.
- Affidavits and NAS papers are required for proof.
Differences Between State Gazette and Central Gazette
| Feature | Central Gazette | State Gazette |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Issued by the Government of India | Issued by the State Government |
| Acceptance | Valid throughout India | Valid only in the State |
| Passport/Visa | To update name in passport | Not accepted in passport |
| Government jobs | For Central and State Government jobs | Only for State Government jobs |
| Aadhaar Centre | Update name in Aadhaar card | Not accepted in Aadhaar card |
| Process Time | 30-45 Days | 60-70 Days |
| Our Advice | Best for everyone | Avoid if possible |
The 3-Step Legal Process for Name Change Gazette
There is a step-by-step process for changing your name. This process involves preparing certain documents, based on which your name change will be published in the gazette. The process consists of three main steps.
3 Steps for a Gazette Name Change
Prepare an Affidavit
First, prepare a name change affidavit, which includes the person’s old name, new name, and address, indicating that the person has changed from the old to the new name. For this, it can be made on stamp paper of ₹10 or ₹20 and can be signed by a notary or magistrate.
Required information in the affidavit:
- Old and new name
- Full address
- Date of birth
- Reason for name change (e.g., marriage, spelling correction, religion, etc.)
- Declaration that both names belong to the same person
Expert Advice – Keep 4-5 copies of the affidavit handy, it will be asked for updating the name in your identity proofs and other documents.
Newspaper Advertisement
Previously, you could advertise in two newspapers, but now only one newspaper is sufficient for the gazette. You must publish your name change notice in a local newspaper in your state.
- Old and new name
- Advertisement must be in English (regardless of the newspaper)
- Your address
- A brief statement that both names refer to the same person
Expert Advice – Keep 4-5 copies of the newspaper handy, which may be useful during the process and elsewhere.
Fill out the Gazette Form
Fill out the application for a name change in the Gazette and submit the form to the Central Gazette Office along with your affidavit, newspaper, CD, fee receipt from the Bharat Kosh website, and other documents.
Required items to accompany the application:
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Two witness signatures and address
- Declaration certificate in CD format
Common Mistakes for Gazette File Rejection
- Newspaper ads older than 6 months
- The MS Word file on the CD is not formatted correctly.
- Using whitener or cutting tools on the form.
- The government face is not cut in the correct format.
- The old name on the ID is different.
What documents are required for Gazette?
The name change process requires certain documents in the Gazette, some of which must be prepared.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change
| Documents | Information |
|---|---|
| Name Change Form | Available on the Gazette website |
| Name Change Affidavit | The affidavit must contain the old and new name and address |
| Newspaper Ads | Name change advertisement in the local newspaper of the individual's state |
| Identity Proof | Any of the following: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or voter ID |
| CD Format | The name change information must be saved in an MS Word file in CD format |
| Fee Receipt | Receipt of payment of the name change fee from the Bharat Kosh website |
Prepare your file by gathering all your documents, affidavits, newspapers, and forms and submit it to the Gazette Office. Your file can be submitted to the Gazette Office by post/courier or by visiting the office in person. After submission, the file is verified. If all documents are in order, a name change notification is published in the Central Gazette.
Time & Gov. fees for Gazette Name Change
| Type of Name Change | Government Fees | Estimated Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Name Change (18+) | 1100 | 30-40 |
| After Marriage | 1100 | 30-40 |
| Public Notice / Correction | 1400 | 30-40 |
| Minor Name Change | 1700 | 40-45 |
Name Change Fee for a Gazette Notification
Publishing a name change notification in the Gazette requires a fee. This fee is paid online through the Bharatkosh portal. Payment can be made using any credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking. A photocopy of the fee receipt is submitted along with the Gazette name change file.
Steps to Pay the Gazette Name Change Fee
- Visit the Website: Visit the official Bharatkosh portal.
- To Pay the Fee: Click on Quick Payment / Non-Registered Users
- Select Ministry: Select Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- Select Purpose: Select Cell of Gazette (PAO Printing, New Delhi)
- Enter Fee Amount : Enter the fee for the name change category
- Enter Remarks: Enter “Name Change” in the Remarks field
- Select Payment Method: Choose one of options (credit, debit, net banking, UPI)
- Download Receipt: Download the receipt after making the payment
Expert Advice – Keep a few extra copies of the fee receipt; it is submitted with the Gazette file. Save the soft copy in PDF format.
Process to Check/Download Gazette Notifications?
- Visit the Gazette website and click the search icon
- And Click on “Search by Gazette Category”
- Select the WEEKLY GAZETTE category in the menu.
- Select Parts and Sections – PARTIV.
- Select the second calendar (Saturday dates) from the first calendar (Saturday dates).
- Download the required PDF file.
- Search for your name (old/new) in the search icon.
- Download both page 1 and the page with your name.
Expert Advice – Print 4-5 copies of the gazette and save the PDF in your mobile as it will be required to update the name in Aadhar card, passport and other documents.
How to Update Your New Name in Documents?
Once your name is published in the Gazette, begin making name changes in other documents. First, update your name on your identity proofs.
| Document | Where update |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | UIDAI Website or nearest Aadhaar Center |
| PAN Card | NSDL or UTIITSL Website |
| Passport | Passport Service Center |
| Bank Account | Bank Branch office |
| Driving License | Gov. Parivahan Portal Or RTO Office |
Gazette Notification for Name Change After Marriage
Women who change their surname after marriage are legally required to do so. This requires publishing a name change notification in the Indian Gazette. Once the Gazette notification regarding your name change is published, you can update your surname in your documents. The documentation required for a name change after marriage differs slightly from the standard name change process.
Documents for a name change after marriage
- Marriage Certificate
- Your ID proof (Aadhaar card, passport, etc.)
- Husband’s ID proof (Aadhaar card, passport, etc.)
- Your passport-size photo
- Husband’s passport-size photo
Name Change After Divorce or Religious Change
If a woman wishes to change her maiden name after divorce or change her religion, the new name will be published in the Gazette. This name change will serve as legal proof for updating the name in documents.
Documents for Divorce and Religious Change
- Divorce Decree (if applicable)
- Affidavit of Religious Change (if applicable)
- Proof of Identity and Address
People also Ask
Yes, but remember that you will have to repeat the same legal process (Affidavit + Ad + Gazette) each time. Therefore, it is recommended to correct the spelling of the name once.
CBSE and most state boards do not change the name on old certificates. But there is no need to worry; your Gazette notification and old certificate together will be considered valid legal proof. You just need to show a copy of the Gazette everywhere.
A Gazette notification is valid for life. Once published, it becomes your permanent legal record.
It depends on which document you are using. If there is a mismatch in Aadhaar, passport, or bank records, the Central Gazette is the safest and most permanent solution.
No. Wherever you live in India, you can send your application by registered post to the "Department of Publication (Civil Lines, Delhi)" or start the process online.
Government fees depend on the category:
- Adults (General): ₹1,100 approximately.
- Minors (Under 18): ₹1,700 approximately. (Because parental details are verified).
- Government Employees: ₹1,400 approximately.
Note: These fees are only paid on the government portal (Bharatkosh).
Need Help?
Hire an Expert for Gazette Name Change
Professional Services is the best solution for many people in India to apply for a name change online. A gazette notification for name change is a legal proof used to change the name on every document.
VAKIL INDIA provides a highly professional and experienced service that has helped many people change their name in the gazette. This service covers everything from obtaining affidavits to filing. It is 100% online and fast, eliminating the need for office visits.
