30 Jan Passport Name Change After Marriage (2026 Guide)
Passport Name Change After Marriage: Newspaper Ad Costs & Step-by-Step Guide 2026:
In India most women change their surname after marriage. They usually adopt their spouses surname after marriage, and this is a very common practice in India. If you've got married recently and have changed your surname or full name then you will have to update your new name on your passport, and mind it it's an essential task. You will have to change your name legally, to update your changed name (surname) on your passport. In this blog I will guide you step by step and explain the entire process in simple words so stay tuned.
If you want to update your changed name on your passport then you will have to follow the legal name change procedure. To begin with the legal name change process you will have to create a name change affidavit. Then you will have to publish a name change advertisement in newspapers. This is not the end after completing these two steps you will have to apply for a gazette publication.
You can Publish a name change ad after your marriage in newspapers. This is a key step to establish your new identity. Most of the people prefer The Times Of India for publishing name change ads, because it is the most widely read newspaper of India, also The Times Of India has a wide range of circulation across the country, and it is one of the most respected publications of India also. If you want to publish a name change advertisement in The Times Of India, you must know how much it can cost. But you will be delighted to know that the prices are as low as ₹375 for name change ads in The Times of India. It’s really affordable and legally needed before your passport can be reissued.
Why Name Change Newspaper Ads Are Required:
For reissue of your passport, authorities will ask for two name change ads, this mandatory—you will have to publish your name change ads one in a national English newspaper(like The Times Of India) and another in a regional English newspaper. These ads act as public notices as well as these ads help you to prevent fraudulent claims of your identity. These public notices, along with a notarized name change affidavit, are mandatoryly needed for your reissue application at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
Many people forget to preserve the original clippings of the name change ads but please don't neglect these, because by submitting the original newspaper clippings of your name change ad not just helps with your passport but also helps you to update your new name on your other important official documents like Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, Driving licence, Bank Accounts, Property Card etc. So don't skip this step because skipping this step can delay the reissue of your passport and can make your life difficult. It's a vital one so plan this step very carefully.
Reasons for Name Change After Marriage:
In India one of the most common reasons for name change is marriage. In India women often adopt their spouse’s surname or use combined names after their marriage. In such scenarios, the passport and other important official documents must be updated with the changed name in order to reflect the new legal identity.
Whatever is the reason—be it marriage, divorce, remarriage, or a personal choice—you will have to follow the three steps of the legal name change process (name change affidavit creation, newspaper publication, gazette notification) to ensure legal recognition.
Cost Breakdown by City for Name Change Ads:
| City | Approx. Cost (₹) | Example Newspapers |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 375 | National + Local (e.g., Times group) |
| Pune | 425 | Combo options |
| Delhi/NCR | 525–600 | Times of India, Hindustan Times |
| Bangalore | 800–943 | Bangalore Mirror, Vijaya Karnataka |
| Kolkata | 850 | Anandabazar Patrika combos |
| Hyderabad | 990 | Local + National daily |
Prices as of 2026; rates vary by edition and publication date. Weekend pricing may be 20% higher. Excludes 18% GST.
Step-by-Step Booking Process for Name Change Ad After Marriage:
- Prepare Documents: First, draft a name change affidavit on a ₹10 stamp paper, it must contain your old and new names, the reason for the name change (e.g., marriage), your spouse’s name, and your permanent residential address.
- Choose Newspapers Approved by PSK: After preparing the name change affidavit you will have to select one national English and one local English newspaper—e.g., The Times of India and a city-specific regional paper.
- Book Your Name Change Ad Online: Then Visit the verified ad platforms https://changeofname.in/, and upload all the necessary supporting documents, then select your preferred publication cities and dates, make review of your ad preview and if it's perfect then make the payment securely.
- Publication and Clippings: Your name change Ads will be published within 1–2 business days. Don't forget to collect the original name change newspaper clippings through courier or via email. Please note these newspaper clippings must be submitted to the PSK as digital copies are often rejected.
- Submit to PSK with Annexure D: Submit the name change affidavit, newspaper clippings, Government issued ID proofs, and Annexure D at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
Name Change Newspaper Ad Examples After Marriage:
Sample Ad:
"I, Neha Sharma W/O Rajiv Sharma, R/O Flat 9B, Skyline Residency, Saket, New Delhi – 110017, have changed my name to Mrs. Neha Rajiv Sharma after marriage, vide name change affidavit dated 01/03/2026, sworn before notary A. Mehra, New Delhi."
Step-by-Step Legal Name Change Process in India:
If you want to change your name legally in India then you will have to follow a three-step official process. Please note that each step—from preparing a name change affidavit to publishing a name change ad and completing the gazette notification—is crucial for identity updates across important official documents such as passport, Aadhaar, PAN, and bank records among others.
Step 1: Name Change Affidavit:
To begin the name change process you will have to prepare a legally valid name change affidavit. This is a very important document and it must be created and signed before a notary public. The name change affidavit acts as your first legal declaration of identity change and the document must include the following details:
- Your old name.
- Your new name.
- Reason for name change (e.g., marriage, personal preference, numerology).
- Father’s or Husband’s name.
- Complete residential address.
- Age proof (date of birth, ID document).
Please provide all the required and accurate information because a single error or missing details can cause delays during the verification process.
Step 2: Name Change Newspaper Publication:
Once the name change affidavit is created then you will have to publish a name change ad in the newspaper. Please note as per Indian government guidelines, the name change newspaper publication must appear in:
- One local/regional newspaper (can be in Hindi or any regional language).
- One national English newspaper.
Your name change ad should include:
- Your old name.
- Your new name.
- The name change affidavit creation date.
- Name of the notary who attested the affidavit.
- Full residential address.
- Your accurate Age.
- Your father’s or husband's name.
Important: Always double-check all the necessary supporting documents before booking your name change advertisement in order to avoid any kind of processing delays. Remember any kind of errors will require you to repeat the entire process again. If you are feeling tense with the ad drafting, then relax! Don't worry as sample ad formats are typically provided on the ad booking portal, and remember you will have to upload all the relevant documents (affidavit, ID proof, etc.) at the time of submission of your application.
Step 3: Name Change Gazette Notification:
After these two steps are done then the final step is publishing your name change in the Official Gazette of India. This formal publication acts as the ultimate legal proof of your new identity.
To begin with this step, you will have to write a formal application and submit it with the necessary supporting documents and a demand draft to the Department of Publication.
Documents Required for Gazette Publication:
- Hard copy of the notarized name change affidavit.
- Hard copy of the name change newspaper publication.
- Completed name change form as per the official format.
- Soft copy of the name change specimen in a compact disc (CD).
- Two self-attested passport-size photographs.
- One self-attested photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.).
Additional Requirements:
- For government employees: Submit the Deed for Name Change as per MHA O.M. No. 190016/1/87 – Estt. Dated 12/03/1987
- For NRIs: Submit the deed attested by the Indian Embassy or High Commission
- For adults (major): Submit a Demand Draft of ₹1100 drawn in favor of the Controller of Publications, Delhi
- For minors: Submit a Demand Draft of ₹1700 drawn in favor of the Controller of Publications, Delhi
- Signed certificate from the applicant stating that the information in hard and soft copies is identical
- A Forwarding Letter listing all enclosed name change documents
Documents Required for Name Change After Marriage:
- Notarized name change affidavit.
- Original name change newspaper clippings.
- Duly filled name change form.
- Soft copy of ad in CD format.
- Two recent passport-size photographs (self-attested).
- Government issued Photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN).
- Your marriage certificate (optional but recommended).
- Government employees: Submit deed as per MHA O.M. No. 190016/1/87.
- Overseas applicants: Embassy-attested deed.
- Demand Draft of ₹1100 (major) or ₹1700 (minor) in favor of Controller of Publications, Delhi.
- Self-signed declaration confirming all submitted data.
- Forwarding letter listing enclosed name change documents.
Helpful Tips for Smooth Processing:
- Follow the name change steps in order.
- Keep copies of all documents.
- Submit within 6 months of ad publication.
- Estimated total cost: ₹2,000–₹4,000 (varies by city).
- Bundle affidavit and ad booking for faster results.
Timeframe for full process after marriage?
1–2 weeks: For Affidavit (1 day), newspaper ads (2 days), gazette notification (2-7 business days).
Seek Help for Name Change After Marriage:
A legal name change after marriage is important if you want your updated name to reflect on your passport and other official records. The process usually includes an affidavit, newspaper ads, and gazette publication, so it’s a good idea to plan in advance and complete each step carefully to avoid delays.
You can book your name change ad after marriage from anywhere in India through trusted ad booking portals like changeofname.in which helps you complete the process easily and as per legal requirements.
FAQs – Name Change After Marriage
Is name change after marriage mandatory in India?
No, you are not legally bound to change your name after your marriage in India. It totally depends on personal choice—remember your maiden name remains legally valid on all documents without any update.
What documents are needed for name change post-marriage?
You'll need your marriage certificate, notarized name affidavit (on ₹10 stamp paper), your ID and address proofs (Aadhaar/PAN), and newspaper clippings of your name change ad or gazette notification for passport/banks.
Do I need a newspaper ad and gazette for marriage name change?
Yes for passport or official updates: You will have to publish two name change ads, one in a national English newspaper and another in a local newspaper, then you can apply for a gazette notification. Marriage certificate often suffices for Aadhaar/PAN alone.
How much does it cost for post-marriage name change ads?
It is not very costly, basic newspaper combos start at ₹375 in Mumbai (national + local); gazette notification cost ₹700–₹1300 (approx) Total ~₹2,000 including affidavit.(Approx).
Can I add my husband's name without a full surname change?
Yes you can—an affidavit can declare "XYZ W/o ABC" format. No court order is needed; you will have to just follow the standard three steps theory that is (affidavit, ads, gazette).
How to update passport after marriage name change?
You will have to submit Annexure D, name change affidavit, your marriage certificate, newspaper clippings of your name change ads, and the copy of gazette at the nearest PSK during re-issue of your passport. The process generally takes 3–7 business days for publications.
What if I'm keeping my maiden name?
It totally depends upon your personal choice, so no action is required for this—you can use your marriage certificate for any kind of mismatches in your IDs. Remember, if you want to revert back to your maiden name you will have to follow the same legal process.