Legal Name Change Process
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in the Legal name change procedure:
Name Change Affidavit
Create an affidavit on stamp paper with your old and new name, and the reason for the change.
It must be signed by two witnesses and notarized by a notary public.
Newspaper Advertisement
Publish an advertisement in two newspapers: one in English and one in a regional language.
This serves as a public notice of your name change.
Gazette Notification
Submit the affidavit and newspaper clippings to the Department of Publication for Gazette notification.
Once published, your name change is officially recognized.
Receive Approved Gazette Copy
Once your application is approved, we will email the approved Gazette copy directly to your provided email address.
Maharashtra Gazette Name Change Service
Our Maharashtra Gazette Name Change Service is a smooth, convenient and problem-free process that a person can undergo in order to change his or her name legally. This service simplifies the documenting exercise since it ensures that the clients go through the process of changing their name with minimum tasks. So, that is how it helps you and us as our workflow:
Benefits of Our Name Change Service:
Complete Guidance & Assistance:
We make it easy and straightforward by guiding you step by step through the name change process, whether you are getting married, fixing a misspelled name, or becoming somebody new, we are here to help.
Quick & Hassle-Free Process:
Through the Maharashtra Gazette Name Change system, you shall be able to do the whole process at the comfort of your home, save yourself time and the long queues and papers.
Digitized & Simplified:
The system allows you to filing and publishing your name change in the Maharashtra Gazette online, reducing the traditional obstacles and giving you the speed.
Official Name Change Documentation:
Your name change will be legally recorded after it is endorsed and published in the Maharashtra Gazette and accepted by all legal and governmental systems.
Our Workflow:
Consultation:
We start with a consultation to ascertain the reason behind your change of name (personal, marital or clerical) and proceed to format the paper as such.
Documentation Preparation:
We bring all the required papers and make sure that forms are duly completed to avoid delays or rejections.
Online Filing:
Our team does online filing of your name change application with the Maharashtra Gazette, and ensures every step is followed properly.
Approval & Gazette Publication:
Once you have submitted it, your name change shall be printed in the Maharashtra Gazette whereby you shall be issued with an official copy as a record of your new name.
Support for Further Updates:
After we publish your name change, we help you update your official documentation (ID, passport, etc.) to reflect the change.
Table of Contents
- Change of Name Due to Political Statement
- Why Do People Change Their Name Due to Political Statement?
- Legal Process for Changing Your Name Due to Political Statement
- Documents Required for Name Change Due to Political Statement
- Cost and Timeframe for Name Change Due to Political Statement
- FAQs on Name Change Due to Political Statement
Inherited Family Name Change in India
It is up to you whether to change your inherited family name. It is frequently done by people in order to celebrate their family identity, heritage, or history. Our country is where it is legally possible to replace the inherited surname because of various reasons: due to the family traditions, family conditions or personal inclination. You must undergo a legal process in order to make the change official.
Reasons for Changing an Inherited Family Name:
People may opt to change their inherited family name for many reasons, including:
- Cultural or Traditional Alignment: A person may choose a name that matches their family customs and traditions.
- Remedying Past or Family Name Gaffes: A desire to remedy or restore a family name that has mutated or been documented incorrectly in the course of history.
- Personal Preference: To change their name in ways that better reflect who they are and what they care about.
- Religious Conversion: Many individuals choose to alter their surname post religious conversion. They may wish to retain a section of their family name while also adopting one that aligns with their new spiritual faith.
Step-by-Step Process for Inherited Family Name Change:
To change your inherited family name in India you will have to follow a well-organised legal procedure. Here’s how to proceed:
- Draft a Notarized Affidavit:
To begin with the name change process, you will have to prepare a notarized name change affidavit. This affidavit should clearly mention:
- Your current inherited family name.
- The new family name you wish to adopt.
- The reason for changing your family name (e.g., cultural alignment, correcting a mistake, or personal preference).
- Publish a Name Change Notice in Newspapers:
After preparing the notarized affidavit, publish your name change notice in two newspapers:
- One local newspaper (published in a regional language).
- One national English daily (circulated across the country).
- Apply for a Gazette Notification:
After publishing the newspaper advertisements, apply for a Gazette notification. This is the official government publication that legally validates your new family name.
- You can apply online through the official State or Central Government portal.
- The Gazette notification serves as the final and legal proof of your name change.
- Update Your Official Records:
Once your new name is published in the Gazette, update your name in all important documents and records, such as:
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Passport
- Driving license
- Bank accounts
- Educational certificates and transcripts
- Employment and HR records
Documents Required for Inherited Family Name Change:
The following documents are typically required during the process:
- Notarized Affidavit: The affidavit stating your old and new name along with the reason behind your name change.
- Newspaper Clippings: Proof of your name change advertisement published in two newspapers — one local and one national English daily.
- Gazette Notification: A copy of the Gazette notification published by the government confirming your name change.
- Proof of Identity & Address: Valid documents such as Aadhaar, PAN card, or passport.
- Additional Documents: Any other documents required by specific authorities for updating your records.
Timeframe and Costs for Inherited Family Name Change:
Depending on the process and service adopted, the duration and the funds required to change your inherited family name may vary. This is a rough estimation:
- Affidavit Preparation: ₹100–₹500 (notary fee).
- Newspaper Publication: ₹1,000–₹3,000 (for local and national ads).
- Gazette Notification: ₹1,500–₹2,500 (government fees).
- Document Updates: ₹500–₹1,500 (depending on the institution).
- Legal Assistance: ₹3,000–₹10,000 (optional).
The whole process usually takes 2 to 3 months, including newspaper ads, the Gazette notification, and updating official documents.
To change your inherited family name in India, you will have to undergo a well-organized legal process. In our country many individuals do this for personal, cultural, or historical causes. To legally change your name, you will have to make a notarized affidavit, and then you will have to serve a name change advertisement in two newspapers, one in a local language newspaper and another in a national English daily. Then you will have to apply for a Gazette notification. Once your new surname is published in the Gazzate, your name change becomes legally recognized by all the government and private institutions across the country. You can use the copy of the gazette notification to update your new family name in your other important official documents, such as your Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, bank account, property card, passport, driving license, birth certificate, and ration card, among others. So don't forget to update your records to ensure your new family name is legally recognized.
FAQs on Inherited Family Name Change
Yes, in India you can change your inherited family name by creating a notarized affidavit, placing name change ads in two newspapers, and getting a Gazette notification.
The whole process usually takes 2 to 3 months depending on how fast the affidavit is made, the newspapers publish the notice, and the Gazette notification is issued.
You will need a notarized affidavit, the newspaper clippings of your name change advertisements as proof, a Gazette notification, and other important identification documents such as your Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, and driving license.
Yes, you may certainly change your last name and keep your first name as before. This is commonly done when individuals want a new family name but do not wish to alter their first name.