There can be various reasons why you might be required to get your name changed legally in India. There are certain legal processes that you will have to follow in order to get your name changed.
Name Change Procedure in India
Affidavit for Name Change
The first step is to prepare an affidavit for name change, which will be taken care of by our expert lawyers. The affidavit must have details of your old name, new name, the reason for the name change (marriage, legal, numerological, divorce, correction in existing name, etc.). The affidavit for name change has to be signed by two witnesses and gazetted officer rank along with their stamp.
Placing Advertisement
Newspaper advertisement is a part of the name change procedure. The advertisement goes out in one national or regional newspaper, whichever is suitable. We will place the ad for your name change in the newspaper with all the necessary information.
It’s recommended to retain the copies of the published newspaper for future reference.
Gazette Notification
After submitting an initial name change application, your name will be published in the official national gazette. We will track the publication daily. Once the publication is done, a soft copy of the gazette with the details of the e-publication page will be sent.
Change of Name Affidavit
Making an affidavit for the change of name is the first step in the online name change procedure. You must purchase an e-stamp paper with a denomination of Rs. 10, Rs. 20, or the minimal value required by your state’s laws in order to accomplish this. By paying the necessary fees, you can quickly purchase the e-stamp paper online from the Stock-Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL) website.
Printing the name change affidavit on the e-stamp paper is the next step after having it in your possession. The following details should be included in the affidavit:
- The applicant’s complete legal name at present and their new name (also known as the deponent).
- If a woman is married, her father’s name or her husband’s name should be listed.
- Address of the deponent’s home.
- A declaration stating that the facts in the affidavit are true and accurate.
- The deponent’s signature is present.
The affidavit needs to be attested by a Judicial Magistrate, Notary Public, or Oaths Commissioner in order for it to be considered legally binding. If the applicant lives overseas, they must give the affidavit to the appropriate body after having it properly attested by the Indian High Commission or Indian Embassy. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a name change deed must be submitted by the applicant if they are a government worker.
Placing of an Advertisement
The next step is to publish a newspaper ad to make known the name change following the creation and certification of the affidavit. It is required that this advertisement appear in a local or national publication. The advertisement should include information such the previous and new names, residence addresses, the name of the attesting authority, the date and location of the affidavit’s execution, and the attesting authority’s contact information. It’s important to save copies of the publications where the advertisement appeared for future use.
Notifying the Gazette of India
Having your new name formally published in the Gazette of India is the last step in the legal name change procedure. You must accomplish this by submitting the required paperwork to the Controller of Publications at the Department of Publication at Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, along with the printing fees and a letter of request.
You can personally deliver these documents to the Department of Publication or send them by mail, courier, or other means. The materials will be reviewed by a department representative before being sent to the Government of India Press for publishing. The time it takes for the name change advertisement to appear in the Gazette Publication is typically between one and two months.
You can view an electronic version of The Gazette Of India’s Digital Directory, which includes the name change notification. The authorities will also mail you a hard copy of the name change notice published in the Official Gazette. Depending on whether you choose a public notice, the price for the Gazette notification might range from Rs. 700 to Rs. 900. Demand draft or cash are both acceptable forms of payment.
Eligibility for Name Change Online Application
- An Indian
- They ought to possess a legitimate government ID
- He or she must have a good reason for the name change
- Incase of name change for minors, they should be accompanied by their parents when visiting a government office.
Who May Apply for a Name Change:
- Either husbands
- Wife
- a relative
- At any point in their lives, anyone can change their name.
Documents Required for Name Change Online
- An affidavit on a stamp paper
- The original newspaper with the name change advertisement
- The prescribed proforma in printed format, duly signed by the applicant and two witnesses
- Two passport-size photographs
- Photocopies of valid ID proof ( PAN card, Aadhaar card, or passport)
- A CD with a soft copy of the application in .docx format duly filled
- A letter stating that the content in the hard and soft copy of the application is true
- A request letter along with the registration fee to the authority.
FAQs
Does changing my name require any witnesses?
Yes, two witnesses are required for the name change procedure. One identity document must be submitted for each witness as well.
How can I update my PAN card's name?
By completing the online form for PAN card name change through TIN or NSDL, you can update your name on your PAN card. The procedure is simple to follow.
