In India women often opt to change their name after their marriage. They often choose to adopt their spouse's surname after marriage. If you're thinking of changing your name after your marriage in Karnataka you will have to follow a well-organised legal process. Here's a step by step guide for your assistance:

You may feel that changing your name after marriage in Karnataka is a tough task, but if you follow the step by step guidance the entire process will be easy and hassle free. Our team of legal experts are here to help you at each and every step. Our assistance makes your name change experience smooth and easy.

It is easy to change your name once you have married. It will require some paperwork and a few legal formalities. The following is a plain step-by-step procedure:

1. Notarized Affidavit for Name Change After Marriage
   • Step 1: To change your name legally after marriage, you will have to prepare a joint affidavit with your spouse declaring your marriage. The affidavit must contain your maiden name and the new surname you wish to adopt. The affidavit must contain your husband's name and your present address.
   • Step 2: The affidavit must be printed on ₹10 stamp paper. You and your husband must sign the document in front of a notary public.
   • Step 3: Attach all the necessary supporting documents including your marriage certificate and recent passport-sized photographs of you and your husband.
   • Step 4: Visit a notary to make the affidavit notarized. You will have to pay a nominal charge for this.
   • Step 5: After the affidavit is prepared, you will have to publish a name change advertisement in two newspapers: one in a national English daily and another in a local newspaper.
   Procedure to Update Official Documents in Karnataka:
   • PAN Card: You will have to submit an application to the Income Tax department (i.e., PAN Service Unit) with your marriage certificate or you may submit the notarized affidavit.
   • Passport: You will have to apply for a new passport at the passport office. You will have to submit your old passport, your marriage certificate, your husband’s passport, and the other necessary documents.
   • Bank Accounts: Don't leave out the process of informing your bank about the change of name. Attach your marriage certificate or a copy of the notarized name change affidavit.
   • Driving License: Apply to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) with your marriage certificate, address proof, original driving license, and government-issued ID proof. You will have to pay the applicable fee along with your application.
2. Gazette Publication: An Alternative Option:
   • Step 1: You will have to prepare a formal application to your state’s Gazette department requesting a name change due to marriage. Submit your proof of address and your marriage certificate.
   • Step 2: Send your application along with all the necessary supporting documents via registered post to the Department of Publication, for a Gazette notification.
   • Step 3: Request the department to publish your new name in the next Gazette issue.
   • Step 4: Once your new name is published in the Gazette, you will receive a copy of the Gazette notification via registered post. You will receive it within 15-20 working days. This is a crucial document that serves as the proof of your name change.
   • Step 5: Publish a name change advertisement in two local newspapers, just as you did after completing the notarized affidavit process.

   For more detailed information on the Gazette publication process, visit deptpub.nic.in.

There is nothing to fear when it comes to the legal process being very tricky, and our professionals are there to help you. You do not have to stress because we take care of all the paperwork and applications.

• Find a lawyer: When you are bored dealing with the paperwork, simply use websites such as ezyLegal to get in touch with professionals, who will match you with a professional lawyer to streamline the process.
• Online Services: Use the online portal of the government in changing your name to have things achieved in a faster way.
• Cultural Issues: Keep in mind you do not have to legally change your name in India after marriage; however, it is completely a personal decision.

Name change is a personal matter — here are some reasons people go for it:

• Reasons for Changing in Karnataka:
  • Symbol of Unity: When two people adopt a common surname, this is regarded as a symbol of togetherness and their new life.
  • Tradition and Social Norms: It is customary in a lot of cultures to change their surname to that of their husband, and society might be influencing them to change.
  • Easy Paperwork: Legal, financial, and administrative processes (such as opening joint accounts or working with property ownership) can become easier because of a shared last name.
  • Family Identity: A common surname may contribute towards the development of a sense of family identity, and the elimination of confusion, particularly in case of children later on.
  • A Fresh Start: There are those individuals who change their names as they want to make a new beginning in their life and accept their new identity.
• Reasons for Not Changing:
  • Maintaining Personal Identity: Most individuals, particularly women, are very attached to their maiden name as they view it as their identity.
  • Professional Recognition: It can also have an impact on professional recognition and credibility, especially for those people who have established a career using their maiden name.
  • Equality in Marriage: Some couples want to retain their own names as a token of equality and personal freedom in the marriage.
  • Cultural or Religious Prohibitions: Some cultures or religions might either discourage or even forbid a change of name after marriage.

The exact rules may vary depending on the state, but here’s a list of documents generally needed for a name change after marriage in Karnataka:

• Notarized Affidavit: The form indicates your desire to change your name. It must be signed by both you and your spouse and need notarization in the company of a notary public on a stamp paper of 10 rupees.
• Marriage Certificate: It is a vital official document that is given out following your marriage. It legally records your marriage, and is a valuable paper in changing your name.
• ID Proofs: ID (copies of your passport, voter ID, PAN card or Aadhaar card) and address ID (copy of your address card) are required.
• Passport-sized Photographs: Your latest passport-size photos of you and your spouse.
• Newspaper Advertisements: Photocopies of the newspaper clippings of your name change advertisement.

Please don't forget to include the following details while making the name change affidavit:

• Title and Introduction: Name the paper as the Affidavit of Change of Name after marriage, and enter your personal information like full name, age, and address.
• Statement of Marriage: Name of spouse, name of father, and date and place of marriage.
• Reason why you want to change your name: It is obvious that you plan to change your name to the family name of the spouse.
• New Name: Specify your new surname, and mention any middle name, where appropriate.
• Declaration of Identity: Make sure your maiden name and your married name belong to the same person.
• Signature: Sign the affidavit before a notary public who will certify it.

Changing your name can be easy, but you should think about the long-term effects:

• Changing back to Maiden Name: In case you will change to your maiden name later, you will have to go through another legal procedure.
• Law and Money: Once you change your name, you have to change it in all places, such as in your bank, documents, or vital files.

For those using the official Gazette method:

• Application: Address to the Gazette office of your state and send all the papers you require.
• Payment: Pay the fees of publishing the gazette.
• Publication: When your application has been granted, your new name will be printed in the Gazette. The final document which legalizes your new name is the Gazette notification. Your publication will be sent an official copy of the Gazette.