Gazette Name Change Process in Maharashtra: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

The Maharashtra Gazette name change process is legal, however it is transparent and organized provided the appropriate procedures are taken. An appropriate change of name in Maharashtra Gazette allows your new name to be legal in Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, and job records, and so on. This tutorial will give you a detailed step-by-step overview of the entire procedure using easy to understand language, and additional information that will ensure your blog is better than the rest.

What Does Gazette Name Change Mean in Maharashtra?

• The official journal where change of name advertisements are published is the Maharashtra Government Gazette where the state publishes legal notices.
• Once your old name and new name are printed together in the Maharashtra State Gazette (Part 2 – राजपत्र जाहिरात नावात बदल) they are irrevocably united in the records of government.
• The copy of Gazette is the final and strongest legal proof of your new name, which is accepted by government offices, banks, educational institutions and courts in Maharashtra and India.
• There is also a Central e-Gazette option, which is preferred by people who need nationwide validity, although in the majority of cases, Maharashtra Gazette is adequate to the Maharashtra residents.

Why People Change Name in Maharashtra

The typical causes can be noted:

• Following marriage or divorce (surname change, inclusion of name of husband or elimination of name of spouse).
• Corrections in spelling of school certificates, Aadhaar, PAN or passport.
• Alteration of names based on numerology / astrology.
• Conversion to religion and acquisition of a new religious name.
• Adoption (children change their surname to that of adoptive parents).
• Gender transition (change of name and gender identity).
• Image related to the profession or image to the public (shorter and easier to brand name).

All of them are legally admissible provided that you follow three mandatory steps: Affidavit - Newspaper Ad - Maharashtra Gazette notification.

Three-Step Name Change Process in Maharashtra

Step 1: Prepare a Name Change Affidavit

Prepare Name Change Affidavit on proper stamp paper (₹100 usually) stating:

• Current (old) name.
• New name you wish to adopt.
• Father’s / spouse’s name.
• Date of birth.
• Full residential address in Maharashtra.
• Clear reason for name change (marriage, error, numerology, etc.).

Sign the affidavit and have them notarised by a Notary, or attested by a Judicial Magistrate. In the case of minors, parent/guardian is the preparer of affidavit on behalf of child, giving his/her details and reason of change.

Important:

• Make sure that the spelling of the affidavit is the same as Aadhaar/PAN and the name you will be placing in newspapers and Gazette.
• Any vague or partial reasons may lead to questions at a later stage of passport or bank level.
• Should you post Changeofname.in or your service, state that your team will provide legally correct drafts of the affidavits and review all the information prior to notarisation.

Step 2: Publish Name Change in Newspapers

Then you need to bring out an announcement of your new name. Publish the notice in two newspapers: One Marathi or local language newspaper and One English newspaper commonly circulated in Maharashtra. The advertisement should include:

• Old name.
• New name.
• Father’s / spouse’s name.
• Full address (city, Maharashtra).
• Brief statement that you have changed your name and henceforth you will be referred by the new name.

Example format: “I, Rajesh Kumar Sharma, resident of Mumbai, have changed my name to Rajesh Kumar Deshmukh. Hereafter, I shall be known as Rajesh Kumar Deshmukh for all purposes.”

Keep the original newspaper clippings of your ad and date of publication. These are mandatory to the Maharashtra Gazette application.

Common mistakes you can warn about:

• Affidavit and ad have different spelling.
• Lacking urban or unfinished individual information.
• Old and new names not explicitly stated in one statement.

The service is unique by writing the ad text, selecting appropriate Marathi + English papers and checking the compliance of the formats.

Step 3: Apply for Maharashtra Gazette Name Change

After making affidavit and ads, you need to seek official publication in the Maharashtra State Gazette. It has two modes, which are online (e-Gazette) and in certain instances, offline via designated centres.

Gazette Name Change Process in Maharashtra for e-Gazette

3.1 Online Application on Maharashtra e-Gazette Portal

The online application will be implemented on the Maharashtra e-Gazette Portal. Go to the Maharashtra e-Gazette site (egazette.maharashtra.gov.in or by alternative links of Part 2 - rajpatra jaahiraat naavaat bdl). Create a new account or log in to an already created account. Choose the service of Change of Name / Name Change Notification (Part 2 Rajpatra). Fill the online application form with:

• Old name and new name.
• Father’s / spouse’s name.
• Date of birth.
• Address and contact details.
• Reason for name change.

Upload scanned copies of required documents: Name change affidavit, Newspaper clippings (Marathi/local + English), Photo identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.), Address proof (Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card, electricity bill, etc.), Passport-size photograph, and Any additional forms prescribed by the portal. Pay Gazette fee online (current guides give an approximate of ₹523 to change name; never forget to add as per current government norms).

3.2 Verification and Gazette Publication

Once submitted, your application and documents are checked by the Gazette department. In case of any missing or unreadable documents, you might receive an SMS/email to correct or re-upload. On successful verification, your new name will be published in the next available issue (Part 2).

After submission, the Gazette department verifies your application and documents. If any document is missing or unclear, you may get an SMS/email to correct or re-upload. After successful verification, your new name is published in the next available issue of the Maharashtra Government Gazette (Part 2). You can then: Obtain soft copy (PDF) Gazette notification through the portal, or take physical copies of the Government Press in case of necessity.

The processing requires the online submission to be processed within 15-30 working days and overall time of name change is normally 4-8 weeks based on affidavit, advertisement and Gazette program.

Quick Table: Name Change Process in Maharashtra

After Gazette: Updating Your Documents

As soon as your name is posted in the Maharashtra Gazette, take that information as your master evidence and make changes to all significant IDs:

• Aadhaar – Go to Aadhaar centre and bring Gazette copy; ask it to update name.
• PAN Card – Apply for PAN correction via NSDL/UTI with Gazette copy and ID proof.
• Passport – Reissue with new name; send copy of Gazette, affidavit, and newspaper clippings may be required.
• Bank Accounts & Financial Records – Update Gazette and Aadhaar/PAN updated to update the name in accounts, cheque books, Demat, insurance etc.
• Other documents – Voter Identification, driving licence, property documents, work certificates (according to the rules of the appropriate authority).

A downloadable/printable checklist on the topic of Post-Gazette Updates in Maharashtra would make your blog stronger.

Time & Cost Overview (Maharashtra)

Timeline (typical):

• Affidavit: Same day.
• Newspaper Ads: 1–2 days for publication.
• Maharashtra Gazette: About 30–45 days after proper submission and verification.
• Overall: Around 4–8 weeks from start to Gazette publication.

Cost components:

• Affidavit + notarisation.
• Newspaper ads (English + Marathi/local) – depends on paper and size.
• Maharashtra Gazette fee (around ₹523 for name change, subject to change).
• Any service fees if using a professional agency or online facilitator.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Rejection in Maharashtra

Competitors can be beaten by making clear the risk areas of your blog:

• Using affidavit and newspaper advertisements without filling Maharashtra Gazette; this is normally not received to issue passports and PAN.
• Differences in spelling of affidavit, newspaper ads, ID proofs and Gazette form.
• Failure to apply the right service (Part 2 - category - "Change of Name" ) on the e-Gazette portal.
• Documents that are scanned and which are not clear or complete and therefore cause questions and delays.
• Failure to save various copies of the Gazette notification both in digital and physical form to be used in the future.

You can position your service (e.g. Changeofname.in) as the error-proof partner and ensures the accuracy of the spelling, formats, and follow-up of the application till the publication.

Online vs Offline Name Change in Maharashtra

• Offline route: Go to notary, newspaper office and in some cases, physical submission points; more manual and time consuming.
• Online-assisted route: Apply and pay a fee through Maharashtra e-Gazette portal. Seek professional assistance in preparing affidavit, ad copy, scanning of documents and filling of forms. As soon as e-Gazette copy is published, download it and begin updating documents.

This would particularly come in handy among the working professionals in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, etc. who would not be able to afford to visit offices.

Why a Professional Service Helps (Angle for changeofname.in)

To render the blog more effective than the competitors, conclude with the obvious advantages of using a specialist:

• End-to-end process – One team does Affidavit drafting, newspaper ad format, online Gazette form, document upload and tracking.
• Legally correct format – All the drafts will be made as required as per the norms of Maharashtra Gazette and this will minimize chances of the draft being rejected.
• Online convenience – Minimal physical visits; a majority of the coordination is over the phone, WhatsApp and email.
• Faster resolution of queries – In case of any query raised by the Gazette department, the professionals are aware of what they need to rectify and resubmit.
• Post-Gazette guidance – There are clear guidelines on how to update the Aadhaar, PAN, passport and bank and other documents, so that the user does not only change their name half way but fully.

Online submission with a three-step process, through a portal known as Maharashtra e-Gazette portal, and with professional assistance, Gazette Name Change Process in Maharashtra becomes easy, and predictable, as well as, legal among other users in the state.

Read Related Articles

• Birth certificate correction online
• Change Name in Birth Certificate in Maharashtra
• Birth certificate correction online
• Aadhaar Name and Date of Birth Corrections
• Birth Certificate Correction Online in Karnataka
• Change Name in Birth Certificate in Karnataka