Name Change in India - An Overview
Name change is a very common thing. Many people change names for different reasons. Some do it for good luck, others for marriage and some just want to change the spelling. Irrespective of why you change your name, it has to be done officially. There are legal processes involved, which are quite lengthy and complex.
Bigvakil provides one of the best online name change services in India.
We have broken down the name change procedure and have explained in detail about the name change procedure in India. The procedure involved for a name change can be split into a simple three-step process. If the steps are followed correctly, it can be done in very less time.
- We connect you with the best lawyers to offer advice on the name change procedure in your city.
- Our panel of lawyers will assist you with name change application.
- Additionally, Bigvakil is there to help you with the online name change process.
Name Change Procedure in India - A Detailed Process
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We Create the Name Change Affidavit
The first step is to select a new name. Once the name is shortlisted, the next step would be to make a Name Change Affidavit that is best done with the help of a lawyer. An affidavit has to be made on a stamp paper. The affidavit must have details of your old name, new name, the reason for the name change (marriage, legal, numerological, etc) and the address. The name change affidavit has to be signed by two witnesses and gazetted officer rank along with their stamp.
Placing Advertisement
We will place an ad in the national newspaper for your name change. Those who are married women, they should also mention the name of their husband and the permanent address in the notification
Gazette Procedure
After an initial name change application is submitted, your name has to be published in the National Gazette. We will track the publication daily. Once the publication is done, we will send you the Gazette copy with the details of the publication page.
Preparing the name change affidavit in India
In case you wish to apply for a job, visa, passport, or any other related reasons, you will have to offer verification for your citizenship, name, and address. Hence, if you had recently changed your name, an affidavit about your name change is the most vital proof about your identity. We offer you various types of affidavit formats online.
The affidavit is the most important document in a name change application. It is a legal document that has to be filled on a stamp paper of Rs.10 or Rs. 20. The document must also be signed by a notary public, generally, most lawyers are notary public servants.
An affidavit can be of many types. Some of them are:
Change of name affidavit
This affidavit form requires you to fill in your old name or maiden name, new name, current address, age and the reason for the change in name.
Newspaper Publication & Publication in Gazette of India are mandatory for Change of Name affidavit -
Affidavit for Change Of Name after marriage
This affidavit is used for those who want to change their names after marriage. Along with a filled up form, a copy of the marriage certificate and photographs of yourself and your spouse need to be submitted.
Affidavit for change of name on the passport
The affidavit is used in cases of change of name on a passport due to spelling mistakes or change in surname after marriage. The procedure is the same as a change of name.
Affidavit for Change Of Name for minors
This affidavit needs to be filled in cases of change of name in minors. The affidavit needs to be presented by the parents or guardians. The other procedures remain the same.
Documents required for Online Name Change Application
- An affidavit on a stamp paper, minimum value should be Rs.10.
- The original newspaper cutting of the name change advertisement. A prescribed perform 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.
Newspaper publication after Name Change in India
Newspaper advertisement is a part of the process. The advertisement goes out in one national newspaper.
Also, its recommended to retain the copies of the published newspaper for future reference.
A Name Change advertisement in a newspaper usually contains all the details listed below:
- The old name of the applicant
- The new name of the applicant
- Father’s/husband’s name
- Age of the applicant
- Address
- Number of the affidavit for name change created prior by the applicant
- Date on which the affidavit was made
- Name Of Notary who has attested the affidavit
Central Gazette publication after the name change
Central Gazette is a better option to publish your name change advertisement and for government employees, it is a mandatory step. We send the following documents to the department of the publication
- Request letter
- Affidavit
- Proforma notification
- Verification Certificate
- C.D format
