Legal Name Change Process After Adoption in India
Get the Adoption Order
You will require a valid court adoption order in order to proceed with the adoption process. This may be granted under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956 or the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as the case may be. It is very crucial to ensure that the detail regarding the new parents and the legal guardian in the order of adoption is accurate and proper. You should also have duplicate copies of the court order which can be used later.
Prepare an Affidavit for the Name Change
Prepare an affidavit on stamp paper, which must be notarized. The affidavit must also be signed by two witnesses. In the affidavit, include the following details: Your previous name(s), the new name you are adopting, your address, and the reason for the name change in Maharashtra. Once you have written the affidavit, have it notarized by the public notary because this will make your name legit.
Publish the Name Change in Newspapers
You must place a name change gazette advertisement to let the public know about the same. Make sure it runs in one local newspaper- one in the regional language and another in English. The former name of the child- this assists people to know the transformation. The new adopted name-this is the name the child will now be called. A short explanation as to why there is a name change, should you care to share it. It should not be very elaborate, but only to describe the change.
Gazette Notification
After you have completed your affidavit and the newspaper advertisement, you can then go further to apply Gazette notification in Maharashtra. This will get your name published in the Maharashtra Gazette officially and everything will be formal and official. It is as though it is the last step in putting everything in order! Please do not hesitate to ask questions or seek assistance should you need it in the process. You have us to ensure that things run smoothly! After approval, your name change will be official to the public.
Change of Name After Adoption in Maharashtra
If you are looking forward a change of name of your child after adoption, you must go through some procedures to make the idea come true. This involves obtaining a court order which is quite important in the approval of the same, prepare an affidavit, advertise it in the local newspaper and lastly apply to Gazette notification to make it legally recognized only after which you may update the same in your official records.
Who Can Apply for the Adoption Name Change Process in Maharashtra?
- Adoptive Parents: Adoptive parents can apply for the adoption name change, only with a court order.
- Adopted Child (18+): It happens very rarely that an adopted child who is above 18 years of age applies for a name change process after adoption.
- Eligibility: The applicant must be an Indian citizen, should have a sound mind and a valid adoption order under the HAMA or JJ Act.
- Minors: In case of minor, adoptive parents can apply. The consent of the child depends on the maturity of the child understand the court decision under the JJ Act.
Our Workflow:
Consultation:
Before proceeding, it is highly advisable to consult, stating the reason, for example personal, marital, or clerical.
Documentation Preparation:
Arrange all the necessary documents and fill up the form on time to avoid a legal complication in the Gazette notification.
Online Filing:
You have the option to file your new name online in the Hyderabad Gazette.
Approval & Gazette Publication:
After submission of your application, your new name will appear in the Hyderabad Gazette, and you will get a copy of the same.
Support for Further Updates:
After publication, you may update your new name in your official documents like ID, passport.
Documents Required for Name Change After Adoption
The documents you will require in order to apply to change your name after adoption include:
- Adoption Order: It is a formal paper signed by the court on HAMA or JJ Act and legally adopts the child. It is one of the central components that introduce the process.
- Affidavit: You will have to make an affidavit that is notarized and contains the old and the new name of the child, information about the parents, and the purpose of the name change (say in the case of name change you can write something like, to indicate family unity).
- Newspaper Ads: This will require you to place name change advertisements in two newspapers one local (such as the Dinamalar in Chennai), and one national (such as The Times of India). After publishing the ads, you will take the clippings as evidence.
- Gazette Form: This is the app for e-Gazette, here you'll submit some important documents for identification. It's a formal move towards making the name change public.
- IDs: Copies of the child's ID (if applicable), and parents' Aadhaar, PAN, and Voter IDs.
- Birth Certificate: The child's original birth certificate (e.g., "Rahul Kumar's municipal record").
- Extras: Additional documents like marriage certificate, address proof (e.g., ration card), and 2-4 passport-sized photographs.
Update Personal Documents
After the publication of your name change, you may update the same in your official documents:
- Birth Certificate: By submitting your name change and adoption documentation to the registrar of births or municipal corporation.
- PAN and Aadhaar Cards: By providing the updated documents to the concerned government authorities to issue new PAN and Aadhaar cards.
- School and College Records: By giving update to the educational institutions about your name change and submitting the required documents for them to update their records.
- Passport: By requesting a reissuance of your passport with the updated name.
Costs and Time
Fees:
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit | ₹50-₹200 | Notary fee |
| Newspaper Ads | ₹1,000-₹5,000 | Local + national (e.g., TOI) |
| Gazette | ₹1,100-₹1,500 | DPI fee, state modifications |
| Lawyer (Optional) | ₹5,000-₹20,000 | Drafting and filing assistance |
| Document Updates | ₹100-₹1,000 | Aadhaar, birth certificate, passport |
Time:
- Affidavit/ads: 3-7 days
- Gazette Notification: 30-60 days
- Document Updates: 15-30 days
- Total Time: 2-4 months
Validity:
Once updated, the new name is legally permanent.
Estimated Costs:
Plan for approximately ₹7,000 and a bit of patience throughout the process.
Simplified Name Change Service
You can undergo a quicker yet smoother process of name change by applying through our Name Change Service.
Benefits of Our Name Change Service:
- Complete Guidance & Assistance: If you apply through us, you will be given total guidance from our side so that your name also get published in the official Gazette.
- Quick & Hassle-Free Process: Now you can apply for the name change online through us, from anywhere at your convenience.
- Online Filing and Documentation: You can file your application online and attach the necessary documents for a quicker process.
- Official Legal Documentation: Your name will be legally recognized by the relevant authorities.
FAQs: Name Change After Adoption in Maharashtra
What is the Legal Process for Changing a Child's Name After Adoption in Maharashtra?
You will require a valid adoption order from the court, prepare an affidavit ad get it notarized, Advertise your name change notice in two newspapers, and apply for a Gazette notification.
What documents are required to change a name after adoption in Maharashtra?
First, get an adoption order issued by the court, draft an affidavit and get it notarized, submit newspaper publication, and apply for the Gazette notification along with supporting documents like identification proofs of the child and parents, like photographs, marriage certificate of parents, the child's original birth certificate, and educational certificates.
Can adoptive parents change the birth certificate of the adopted child in Maharashtra?
Yes, adoptive parents can change the birth certificate of the adopted child. It is also important to note that a biological father's name cannot be replaced with the adoptive father's name without a court-issued order.
Is a Gazette notification mandatory for a name change after adoption?
Yes, a Gazette notification mandatory for providing your name an official recognition as well as a legal validity.
How long does it take to legally change a name after adoption in Maharashtra?
In order to legally change a name after adoption, It will take approximately a few weeks or a couple of months, depending on the process of affidavit, newspaper publication, and Gazette notification application.
Do I need to update my child's name in all personal records after adoption?
Yes. It is mandatory to update your child's name in all the official records, like the birth certificate, Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, and academic records.
Can both parents' surnames be used for an adopted child in Maharashtra?
Yes, an adopted child in Maharashtra can have either hyphenated or combined surnames of the adoptive parents.
Is the name change process difficult after adoption in Maharashtra?
The process may take time as there are multiple steps involved like court approval, affidavit creation, and Gazette publication.
What should be included in the affidavit for a name change after adoption?
The affidavit must consist of the child's old name, the new name, the names and addresses of the adoptive parents, the reason for change, and it should be notarized by a public notary.
Where should the name change advertisement be published?
The name change advertisement should be published in a local newspaper from the parents' place of residence and a national newspaper abiding by the legal norms and gaining a broader visibility.
What is the procedure to change a child's name?
The procedure to change a child's name, you must file a petition in the court, attach supporting documents like affidavit and newspaper notices, obtain a court order, and publish the change in the Official Gazette of India.
How do I legally change my name in Maharashtra?
First, you will be interested in drawing up an affidavit to formally change your name. After that is done, the next one would be to have it notarized, which would assist in proving that it is authentic. Next, you will have to place an advertisement of your name change in a local newspaper- this is necessary to publicize it. Lastly, you will make an application to Gazette notification with the required files to make the official change of name published in the Gazette of India. Doing it one step at a time can make it feel less daunting and you will be on the road to having everything updated!
Is changing a name difficult in Maharashtra?
The procedure might be time-consuming because it involves several procedures such as court hearings and publication in the Gazette.
Can a child have both parents' surnames in Maharashtra?
Yes. A child have surnames of both the parents in Maharashtra, be it hyphenated or combined. There is no such legal obligation to use a specific surname of either of them.