Central Gazette Name Change for Karnataka Residents: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Central Gazette Name Change for Karnataka Residents: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026):

If you are a resident of Karnataka and need to change your name for passport purposes, central government job records, or any other national-level documentation, then you will have to follow the Central Gazette name change process.

The Karnataka State Gazette is sufficient for state-level matters, but the Central Gazette notification for name change gives your new name legal recognition across the entire country and is accepted by government and private institutions across India.

In this guide, we will cover the complete Central Gazette name change process for the Karnataka residents, including the required documents, the step-by-step application process, current fees, timelines, and the most common mistakes you should avoid.

What Is a Central Gazette Name Change?

In simple words, a Gazette name change is an officially recognised legal process where your new name is published in the government gazette, making the name change a matter of public and legal record. There are two types of Gazette in India:

• Karnataka State Gazette: Karnataka State Gazette includes records of the state government including ration cards, state driving licences, land records etc. state level documents.
• Central Gazette: The Central Gazette is a report of the records of the central government like passport, PAN card, central government employment records and any other document that is nationally valid.

The Karnataka residents who work in central government organisations, need to update their passport, or are relocating to another state often prefer the Central Gazette notification for name change, and in many cases it is also a mandatory requirement.

Once the notification is published in the Gazette, your new name becomes legally recognised across India and serves as an official record of your updated identity.

Documents Required for Central Gazette Name Change in Karnataka:

Have all these things prepared in advance before starting the process. You may have your application form rejected or delayed in case it is not complete. This is among the most prevalent reasons of rejection and delays in the processing.

Category	Details
Personal Identification Documents	Self-attested copy of Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID. Karnataka domicile proof — rental agreement, electricity bill, or bank statement.
Affidavit and Newspaper Publication Proof	Notarized name change affidavit — signed before a registered Notary Public in Karnataka on non-judicial stamp paper. Newspaper advertisements — one in an English daily and one in a Kannada daily (both mandatory). Original newspaper clippings — with the publication date and applicant details clearly visible.
Additional Documents	Recent passport-size photograph. Application cover letter addressed to: The Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054. Birth certificate or educational certificates — if applicable to your case.

Keep all your documents self-attested and properly organized before submission. Remember even one missing document can delay your entire Central Gazette name change application.

Step-by-Step Central Gazette Name Change Procedure for Karnataka Residents:

Step 1 — Draft and Notarize Your Name Change Affidavit:

First you will have to prepare a name change affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper (₹20 or ₹50 denomination). The name change affidavit must clearly state:

• Your full old name and full new name.
• Your complete residential address in Karnataka.
• Reason behind your name change.
• Your date of birth.

It is important to note here that you have to sign the name change affidavit before an established Notary Public in Karnataka. The affidavit is stamped and certified by the notary after which the document becomes legal.

Below there is a Sample affidavit format:

"I, [Old Full Name], residing at [Full Address], Karnataka, do hereby solemnly affirm that I have changed my name from [Old Name] to [New Name] and henceforth wish to be known as [New Name] for all purposes."

Don't forget to keep multiple original copies of the notarized affidavit, as you will need separate copies for the Central Gazette application, passport office, bank accounts, and other record updates.

Step 2 — Publish Name Change Advertisements in Two Newspapers:

It should be noted that the advertisement regarding change of name must be published in an English daily and Kannada daily newspaper before you submit your Central Gazette application since it is a compulsory requirement to all Central Gazette name change applications submitted by Karnataka.

Approved newspapers for Karnataka residents:

Language	Newspapers
English	Deccan Herald (Bangalore), Times of India (Karnataka edition).
Kannada	Prajavani (Karnataka), Vijayavani (Bangalore).

Ad format for Central Gazette:

"I, [Old Full Name], S/o / D/o [Father's / Spouse's Name], residing at [Full Address], have changed my name to [New Name] and will be known as [New Name] from now on."

Try to publish both ads on the same date if possible. After the ads appear in the newspapers, collect the original clippings and also keep clear digital scans of them. You will need to submit both the physical newspaper clippings and the digital copies with your Central Gazette application.

Step 3 — Fill the Central Gazette Application Form:

You can download the Central Gazette application form from the egazette.nic.in portal, or you can easily get it through an authorized agent. Fill in all personal details carefully, exactly as they appear on your official ID documents:

• Old name and new name — spelled exactly as in your affidavit.
• Full residential address in Karnataka.
• Father's or spouse's name.
• Date of birth and contact details.

Before submitting your application, check every detail carefully. Small mistakes in the name or address are one of the most common reasons why Central Gazette applications get rejected in Bangalore and across Karnataka.

Step 4 — Attach All Supporting Documents:

Compile the complete document set:

• Notarized affidavit (original).
• Newspaper clippings — English and Kannada (originals and self-attested photocopies).
• Self-attested ID proof and address proof.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Application cover letter addressed to the Controller of Publications, Delhi.

Step 5 — Submit Your Application Online or Offline:

Online submission (recommended):

• At first visit the official Central Gazette portal at egazette.nic.in.
• Then register and create your user account.
• Upload scanned copies of all the necessary supporting documents. (PDF or JPG, maximum 2MB each).
• Fill the application form digitally — ensure all details match your affidavit exactly.
• Pay the Central Gazette fee online via UPI, net banking, or debit/credit card.
• Download your acknowledgment receipt with your Application Reference Number.
• Track your application status using the eGazette status tracker.

Offline submission:

Send all the necessary documents and supporting documents via registered post to: The Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054.

Include a covering letter, the necessary documents and demand draft of the applicable fee. In case you apply through a post, always keep a postal receipt to follow up later. The online submission is normally quicker and thus it is preferable to use the online option unless there is a particular reason of applying using the post.

Step 6 — Receive and Download Your Gazette Notification:

When your application is approved, it will be notified in the following issue of Central Gazette that you have changed your name. Once you have been published, the email notification will be sent. Then you can download the official PDF on the portal of the egazette.nic.in. In case you would like to have a printed version, you can also be asked to pay a small postal fee to the Department of Publication in Delhi.

2026 Newspaper Ad Rates for Central Gazette Name Change in Karnataka:

Last verified March 8, 2026 — Sources: bhavesads.com and releasemyad.com:

Newspaper	Language	Minimum Ad Rate	Average Gazette Package
Times of India Karnataka	English	₹2,400	₹3,400
Deccan Herald Bangalore	English	₹1,950	₹2,800
Prajavani Karnataka	Kannada	₹1,400	₹2,500
Vijayavani Bangalore	Kannada	₹1,300	₹2,200

Booking English and Kannada newspapers together usually costs less than booking them separately. It can save around 10–15%, so always check for combo pricing before booking each paper individually.

Central Gazette Name Change Fee for Karnataka Residents (2026):

Item	Estimated Cost
Affidavit preparation (stamp paper + notary)	₹50 – ₹200
Newspaper ad — English daily	₹1,950 – ₹2,400
Newspaper ad — Kannada daily	₹1,300 – ₹1,400
Central Gazette application fee	₹1,200 – ₹1,500
Agent or service charges (if applicable)	₹300 – ₹600
Estimated total	₹4,800 – ₹6,100

The Central Gazette fee for name change in Karnataka is usually between ₹1,200 and ₹1,500 per application. The Karnataka State Gazette is cheaper and generally costs around ₹650 to ₹700. However, the Central Gazette has wider acceptance because the notification is valid across India, while the State Gazette is mostly used within Karnataka.

Timeline for Central Gazette Name Change in Karnataka:

Here's a realistic end-to-end timeline:

• Day 1: Affidavit drafting and notarization.
• Day 2–4: Newspaper advertisements published (English + Kannada).
• Day 5–7: Gazette application compiled and submitted online.
• Day 8–45: Central Gazette processing and publication (typically 4–6 weeks).
• Day 46 onwards: Use Gazette notification to update Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, and all other records.

The entire process usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish if all documents are complete and submitted properly. National holidays or busy application periods can sometimes cause slight delays.

Karnataka vs. Central Gazette: Which One Do You Need?

Factor	Karnataka State Gazette	Central Gazette
Coverage	State government records only	Nationwide — all Indian records
Best for	State ID, driving licence, ration card	Passport, PAN, central employment
Mandatory for	State-level updates	Central government jobs, passport
Fee	₹650 – ₹700	₹1,200 – ₹1,500
Processing time	25–40 working days	4–6 weeks
Application portal	egazette.karnataka.gov.in	egazette.nic.in

Many people in Karnataka choose to apply for both. The State Gazette is usually used for local records, while the Central Gazette helps with national documents. Using both makes it easier to update different types of records in a hassle-free way.

How to Use Your Central Gazette Notification After Publication:

Once you receive your Central Gazette name change PDF, start updating your records in the following order:

• Aadhaar — visit the UIDAI portal or nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra with your Gazette PDF and affidavit.
• PAN card — apply via NSDL or UTIITSL portal; upload Gazette notification and newspaper clippings.
• Passport — submit at Bangalore Passport Seva Kendra; Central Gazette notification is mandatory for passport name changes.
• Bank accounts — visit your branch with Gazette copy, affidavit, and updated Aadhaar.
• Driver's licence — submit at the Regional Transport Office with Gazette copy and ID proof.
• Educational certificates — contact the issuing board or university with formal application and Gazette PDF.
• Insurance policies and property records — contact the relevant institution with Gazette notification and supporting documents.

Always update your Aadhaar first, as it is the main ID proof required for most other record updates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Central Gazette Name Change Applications:

Incorrect or Incomplete Document Submission

Missing newspaper clippings, an unsigned affidavit, or an incomplete application form cause the majority of Central Gazette rejections. Go through the official document checklist item by item before submitting.

Name and Address Inconsistencies:

Check that the name spelling and address are the same on every document in your application — the name change affidavit, newspaper ads, application form, and ID proof. Even a small difference can cause the application to be rejected.

Publishing in Non-Approved Newspapers:

The Central Gazette requires ads in established, high-circulation dailies. Publishing in a local or unapproved newspaper invalidates your newspaper proof. Stick to the approved publications listed in this guide.

Missing Newspaper Deadline:

Publish newspaper name change ads right after notarizing your name change affidavit. Waiting too long between the affidavit and the ads can cause issues during processing.

Not Saving Confirmation Receipts:

Keep your payment receipts and the acknowledgment from the eGazette portal. You will need your Application Reference Number to track your application or ask any questions.

Sending Documents Without Proper Attestation:

All photocopies you submit for a Central Gazette application must be self-attested. If they are not, especially in offline postal submissions, they are usually rejected.