20 May Passport Name Change in Karnataka (2026): Step-by-Step Guide
Legal Guide
Passport Name Change in Karnataka (2026): Step-by-Step Guide
Last Updated: June 2026
Verified by Legal Experts: ApplyNameChange.in Documentation Team
Quick Summary: 4 Core Requirements
To successfully process a major name change on your Indian Passport in Karnataka, you absolutely must have these 4 items before visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK):
- Notarized Name Change Affidavit (Original)
- Two Newspaper Ad Clippings (One English, One Kannada - Originals)
- Karnataka e-Rajyapatra Gazette Notification (Printed PDF)
- Current Address Proof & Old Passport
The whole thing of changing the name on an Indian passport is a bit complicated. But in Karnataka it is easier than you think! Whether you've recently got married or divorced or just want a new name. This guide will take you through it all from creating an affidavit to walking out of the Passport Seva Kendra with the re-issued booklet!
It is the latest guide to passport name change in Karnataka 2026 with the complete online procedure for Karnataka Gazette (e-Rajyapatra), the appropriate newspaper ad and necessary documents on the day of the appointment.
Name Change Application For Bengaluru
What Is a Passport Name Change in India?
In India, a passport cannot be altered like the Government document. Rather, you need to take out a Re-issue of Passport and choose a "Change in Existing Personal Particulars" as your reason. For most significant name change, three documents are needed to prove that your name change is a real, public declaration. These are required by the Ministry of External Affairs: affidavit, newspaper ads, and Gazette notification.
There are two types of name changes: a minor one is any change that involves adding the surname of a spouse after marriage; a major one is any change in your given name or surname other than the former. For the latter, you might just need a Marriage Certificate, however, for all others you will need the process described below.
Step 1: Draft and Notarize Your Name Change Affidavit
The first part of the process is to craft a sworn legal statement explaining your old name, your new name and why you are making the change.
What you need:
- ₹20 or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper (available at any licensed stamp vendor in Karnataka)
- The presence of a Notary Public in your city — Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore, or elsewhere
What the affidavit must include:
- Your current (old) full name
- Your proposed new full name
- Your father's or spouse's name
- Your current residential address
- Reason for the name change (marriage, divorce, personal preference, spelling correction, etc.)
- Your signature
After you have drafted it, deliver it to a registered Notary, who will sign and affix his or her seal. Always have a minimum of 3 copies with you — you will need them when you go to the Gazette stage and at the Passport Seva Kendra as well.
Pro tip: Many notary offices are near the passport offices in Bangalore (Lalbagh Road, Koramangala) and know how to draft a name change affidavit for Karnataka Passport in the office, for a small fee.
Step 2: Publish Newspaper Ads for Your Name Change
According to Karnataka law, your Name Change should be Publicly proclaimed in two newspapers—Kannada and English—at the same time. This is to ensure transparency and allow any legal objections to be raised prior to updating your legal identity documents.
Which newspapers qualify?
| Language | Accepted Newspapers |
|---|---|
| English | Times of India, Deccan Herald, The Hindu |
| Kannada | Prajavani, Vijay Karnataka, Samyukta Karnataka |
What your ad must say:
"I, [Old Full Name], S/O (or D/O or W/O) [Father's/Spouse's Name], residing at [Full Address], have changed my name to [New Full Name] for all purposes."
How to place the ad
Many newspapers feature name change classifieds which can be submitted directly at their local branches or on their websites. The rates differ, but locals (Kannada vernacular) tend to provide the more affordable classified packages for Bangaloreans, such as Samyukta Karnataka.
Keep at least 2-3 pages of the original newspaper (not just the clipping) handy, as there are Passport Seva Kendras in Karnataka, they may ask for the original page as context proof.
Need help with advertising? Read our guide on newspaper ad for name change Bangalore.
Step 3: Submit Your Karnataka Gazette Notification via e-Rajyapatra
This was a process of visiting the government press, but in Karnataka, the government has completely digitized it on the e-Rajyapatra portal (ara.kar.nic.in/eregazette/).
How to publish your name change in the Karnataka Gazette:
- Visit the official e-Rajyapatra website
- Register or log in with your details
- Select "Name Change Notification" as the publication type
- Upload your notarized affidavit, ID proof, and newspaper clippings (scanned copies)
- Pay the publication fee online
- Wait for approval — typically 15 to 30 days
- Download your digital Gazette notification once published
Your official Gazette proof will be the downloaded PDF. Print and bring to your PSK appointment. For significant changes in names, most Passport Seva Kendras in Bangalore and other cities of Karnataka require this document nowadays.
To apply online effectively, please refer to our detailed guide on the Karnataka e-Rajyapatra process.
Step 4: Apply Online on the Passport Seva Portal
With your affidavit, newspaper clippings, and Gazette notification ready, you can now apply online.
Step-by-step application process:
- Go to passportindia.gov.in
- Log in or create a new account
- Click "Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport"
- Under reason for re-issue, select "Change in Existing Personal Particulars" → then "Name"
- Fill in the application form with your new name exactly as you want it to appear
- Pay the fee (see current 2026 rates below)
- Book an appointment at your nearest PSK
2026 Passport Re-issue Fee Chart
| Application Type | Booklet | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 36-page | ₹1,500 |
| Normal | 60-page | ₹2,000 |
| Tatkaal (fast-track) | 36-page | ₹3,500 (₹1,500 + ₹2,000 extra) |
| Tatkaal (fast-track) | 60-page | ₹4,000 (₹2,000 + ₹2,000 extra) |
Tatkaal processing typically delivers your passport in 7–10 working days after your PSK visit; normal processing takes 3–4 weeks.
Step 5: PSK Appointment — Documents Checklist
There are 3 main Passport Seva Kendra in Bangalore (Lalbagh, Sai Arcade and others) and 3 other centres in Karnataka including Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore and Belagavi. Make your appointment online and be on time with the following:
Mandatory documents for name change passport re-issue in Karnataka
- Old Passport — Original + self-attested photocopies of the first two pages and last two pages
- Notarized Affidavit — Original (on stamp paper with notary seal)
- Newspaper Clippings — Original copies of both English and Kannada ads
- e-Rajyapatra Gazette Notification — Printed copy of the digital gazette PDF
- Current Address Proof — Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or recent utility bill
- Passport-size photographs — As per current specifications (white background, 35mm x 45mm)
For name changes after marriage, additionally carry:
- Original Marriage Certificate (issued by the Registrar)
- Spouse's passport copy (if applicable)
For name changes after divorce, additionally carry:
- Original court decree / divorce order
Important: All documents must be original. Photocopies are secondary — PSK officers will verify originals on the spot.
How Long Does Passport Name Change Take in Karnataka?
Here's a realistic end-to-end timeline:
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Drafting and notarizing affidavit | 1–2 days |
| Publishing newspaper ads | 1–3 days |
| e-Rajyapatra Gazette publication | 15–30 days |
| Online application and PSK appointment booking | 1–3 days |
| Passport re-issue (Normal) | 3–4 weeks after PSK visit |
| Passport re-issue (Tatkaal) | 7–10 days after PSK visit |
Total realistic timeline: 6–9 weeks (Normal), or 4–5 weeks (Tatkaal, assuming Gazette is the bottleneck).
Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Name Change in Karnataka
- Can I change my name on my passport after marriage without a Gazette notification?
- If the addition is minor, such as putting your spouse's surname onto your birth certificate without altering the original certificate, a Marriage Certificate might be adequate. But at most PSKs in Karnataka, Gazette notification and newspaper advertisements are compulsory for a complete change of name, even if it is because of marriage.
- Is the e-Rajyapatra Gazette mandatory for passport name change in Karnataka?
- Yes. The standard proof required for major name changes at Passport Seva Kendras all over Karnataka including Bangalore are now Gazette notification. This has now been made faster and online, with the shift to e-Rajyapatra but it is still a mandatory paper.
- Which are the most affordable newspapers for a name change ad in Bangalore?
- There are also Kannada language newspapers that charge competitive rates for name change ads such as Samyukta Karnataka and some regional editions of Prajavani. The cost of English newspapers such as Deccan Herald is generally less expensive for this purpose than the costs of the Times of India.
- Can I use a Tatkaal passport for name change in Karnataka?
- Yes. The Tatkaal service will also be available for re-issue applications in addition to name change applications, with a fee of ₹2000. Tatakaal does not reduce the time of issuing the passport in the Gazette; you require all the supporting papers as before.
- What if my name change affidavit has a minor spelling error?
- Don't use an affidavit that has errors. These are carefully scrutinized by PSK officers. When something is noticed to be wrong, obtain a new affidavit: It's cheap and it won't be rejected on the appointment day.
- How many PSK locations are available in Karnataka for passport re-issue?
- PSK are available in Bangalore (Multiple locations), Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Belagavi (Belgaum), and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) in smaller cities of Karnataka. Use the one that is closest to your current address, to prevent address proof jurisdiction problems.
Conclusion
In order to change the name on your Indian passport in Karnataka, you must follow four legal steps: Notarized Affidavit, 2 Newspaper Notices, e-Rajyapatra Gazette Notification, Online Application in Passport Seva. The process may take 6-9 weeks total on the normal track, but can be done piece-by-piece.
The majority of the delay is in submitting your Gazette application, publishing your newspaper ads in parallel, and then submitting your affidavit. Your PSK appointment will be booked by the time your Gazette is published.
Need Help With Your Name Change Process?
Need help placing your newspaper ad placement in Karnataka or name change affidavit for Karnataka. ApplyNameChange.in provides step-by-step guidance on the entire process — for a perfect first time.
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