Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in the Legal name change procedure:
Create an affidavit on stamp paper with your old and new name, and the reason for the change.
It must be signed by two witnesses and notarized by a notary public.
Publish an advertisement in two newspapers: one in English and one in a regional language.
This serves as a public notice of your name change.
Submit the affidavit and newspaper clippings to the Department of Publication for Gazette notification.
Once published, your name change is officially recognized.
Once your application is approved, we will email the approved Gazette copy directly to your provided email address.
Gazette notification gives you a formal legal status of your corrected name by the government and government institutes.
Makes sure that all your documents such as passport, Aadhaar card, bank accounts, and academic records are consistent.
On employment, visa, banking and court procedures where identity proof is required, it is used as a verified document.
International travel, visa interviews and immigration processing require matching names on all the documents.
Helps prevent errors that can lead to legal problems or delays in future personal or professional matters.
Make a notarized affidavit on Rs. 20/- non-judicial stamp paper mentioning your old and new name and reason of change.
Publish a “Name change” advertisement in a local newspaper, one in local language (Tamil) & one in English.
Provide ID proofs like your Aadhar card, passport or voter ID.
If applicable, offer certificates of education.
Attach your three current passport photographs.
Make online payments to get the name change application processed.
The application, Demand Draft (DD) and other required documents should be submitted to the Department of Publication.
Draft an affidavit declaring your name change. It should be notarized, include both your old and your new name, the reason you're changing, and a declaration that you aren't doing it for any illegal reasons.
In some jurisdictions, you are required to place an advertisement in the local newspaper about your name change. This may be required in your situation.
In Maharashtra, if you want to change your name officially, you need to get it published in the Gazette. This is a government publication where official changes like name updates are announced.
Here’s how it works:
This publication makes your name change legally recognized, so you can update all your important documents like your passport and driver's license.
the address is Ground Floor, Government Book Depot & Publication House, near Charni Road Station, Charni Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400004, but since 2014, the process has been online.
The cost of publishing a Gazette in Mumbai varies based on the type of affidavit you use. Generally, the fees range from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. Since the process is now online, you might also need to factor in any additional charges for online services or documentation.
Here’s how you can apply for a Gazette certificate online in Maharashtra:
Following these steps will help you complete your application for a Gazette certificate online.
A Gazette notice is usually processed within 6-8 weeks of submitting a completed application. The processing time for a Gazette notification can vary depending on your specific application and other factors.
To make a Gazette for a name change on your Aadhaar card, follow these steps:
Here’s the procedure for obtaining a Gazette notification for a name change:
The entire process usually takes about 6-8 weeks.
In India, a Gazette notification alone is generally not enough for changing the name on your passport. You will typically need:
To complete your name change in your passport, you will need both documents. You can then apply for an update to your passport by submitting these documents at the Passport Seva Kendra (or Regional Passport Office).
Changing Your Name Can Be An Exciting, Meaningful Step In Your Life, Whether Due To Marriage, A Personal Choice, Or Correcting An Error. But With That Change Comes A Need To Make It Official. That’s Where A Name Change Gazette Certificate Comes In—A Document That Legally Validates Your New Name, Making It Accepted Across Government And Private Institutions Alike. In This Guide, We’ll Walk You Through Everything You Need To Know About The Name Change Process, Including The Online Application For Maharashtra And The Gazette Of India, Required Documents, Costs, And More.
A name change gazette is an official publication by the government that records a name change, providing it with legal status. Publishing your name change in the gazette serves as a permanent record, enabling you to update key documents like your passport, bank records, and ID proofs. This legal backing ensures your new name is widely accepted, eliminating issues when dealing with banks, government offices, or even job applications.
Applying for a Name Change in the Maharashtra Gazette Online
If you’re in Maharashtra, you can apply for a name change online, making the process convenient and accessible. Here’s how to get started:
Required Documents for Name Change in Maharashtra Gazette
When applying for a name change in the Maharashtra gazette, have the following documents ready:
You may also submit your application in person at a designated office, but the online method is generally quicker and more efficient.
This online application option not only simplifies the process but also helps you avoid long wait times.
If you need to apply through the Gazette of India, you can follow these steps to complete your name change online:
Prepare Your Documents: You’ll need:
Publish a Newspaper Advertisement: Place an ad in two newspapers (one English and one local language) announcing your name change.
Visit the Official Website: Go to the Department of Publication’s website at egazette.nic.in.
Register as a New User: If it’s your first time, set up an account by selecting "Login" and then "New Registration."
Fill Out the Application Form: Select “Change of Name,” then complete the online form with your old and new names.
Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies of the affidavit, ID proof, and newspaper ads.
Pay the Fee: Complete the payment for Gazette publication, typically around ₹1,100 for individual applicants.
Submit Your Application: Once all details are filled in, submit the application for processing.
Confirmation and Publication
After you submit your application, it typically takes about 1 to 2 months to process. Once it’s published, the Gazette notification serves as legal proof of your name change, and you can easily download it from the website to keep for your records.
Costs Related to Name Change in India
Changing your name in India generally costs around ₹3,000. Here's how that breaks down:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Affidavit on Stamp Paper | ₹500* |
| Notary Charges | ₹1,000* |
| CD Preparation | ₹50* |
| Newspaper Advertisement | ₹1,000* |
| Gazette Publication Fee | ₹1,500* |
‘*’ These costs are rough estimates and may differ depending on your state and specific requirements. Please confirm with relevant authorities for the latest fees.
Complete Legal Steps for Changing Your Name in India
Here’s a straightforward overview of the legal steps involved:
Create and Notarize an Affidavit
Publish an Advertisement in Two Newspapers
Submit Documents for Gazette Publication
Collect the following documents and take them to the Gazette office:
Once these are submitted, the Gazette office will process everything and publish your name change in their official Gazette, making it legally recognized.
Documents Needed for the Name Change Gazette Certificate
To get your Gazette publication, ensure you have these documents ready:
For Government Employees:
Make sure all documents are signed, attested, and meet the necessary requirements to avoid any delays.
Once your name change is published, you can download the certificate by doing the following:
Deciding To Change Your Name Is A Personal Choice And Can Hold Great Significance. It's Important To Have It Legally Recognized. By Following These Steps, You’ll Be Able To Handle The Name Change Process With Ease. Once Your Name Is Officially In The Gazette, You’ll Have A Legal Document That Confirms And Secures Your New Identity. Are You Ready To Start? Gather Your Documents And Follow The Steps Mentioned Here To Embrace Your New Name With Pride!
In case you want to get your name change or Gazette notification done towards the Charni Road Station, then there is no direct government office to be found. New Delhi has the Central Gazette of India, which performs official change of name as well as announcements to the masses. There are however numerous consultants and agencies around the Charni road and Mumbai CST which would assist you with the name change process. Such service providers can help you in preparing affidavits, placing advertisements on newspapers, and submitting your applications to the Department of Publication in Delhi so that your application of name change is done properly.
At the present, there is no direct Gazette office in Mumbai where you can present your name change applications. A Central Gazette publication has to be submitted to the Department of Publication in New Delhi. Nonetheless, the Consultants/service providers around Charni Road and CST, which are located in Mumbai, are able to help you with the preparation of your name change documents, checking their validity, and filing them on your behalf without such mistakes that will cause rejections.
The Gazette of Maharashtra is an independent body to the Central Gazette of India and is managed at Mantralaya at Mumbai. This Gazette state-level is inapplicable when it comes to PAN, Passport, or documents of the central government. When you are close to Charni road, and require your central government-approved name change, you have to apply to the Central Gazette of India located in New Delhi. Nevertheless, there are a few consultants around Charni Road that will help you in both state and central Gazette name change.
The closest Gazette service consultant to Charni Road is found in offices in Opera House, Marine Lines, Kalbadevi, and CST. Charni road is also within walking distance or by local transport; these areas lie within 10-15 minutes distance. To find these agencies, you can use Google Maps or use confirmed services such as ChangeOfName.in that helps in the process of name change professionally in Mumbai. These consultants also assist you in drafting affidavits, newspaper advertisement and filing of documents with the Department of Publication in New Delhi.
Yes, there exist many typing centres and affidavit notarisation close to the Marine lines and Charni Road. These agencies assist you in preparing the necessary name change affidavit on ₹10/₹20 non-judicial stamp paper, notarizing the same and putting the name change advertisement in large newspapers such as Maharashtra Times, Free Press Journal and Navbharat. Such service providers are quite familiar with the Gazette requirements and can make sure that your documents are legal and meet all the standards.
The name change process with the help of a consultant close to Charni Road is uncomplicated. Visit/contact a registered consultant first. They will help to write your affidavit, run the newspaper advertisement, write the Gazette declaration and format the soft copy (CD). Once all the arrangements are made they will also send the documents to the Department of Publication in New Delhi. After the Gazette name change is announced, you are to be notified by a downloadable PDF copy to egazette.gov.in that can be used to update your records.
Yes, provided that your name change application is sent to the Central Gazette of India, the Gazette notification so made will be valid throughout India in order to update the PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID and other government documents. Ensure that your consultant does Central Gazette submissions and issues Part IV publication as published by the Indian Government and not a local or state level notice.
You do not have to go to Charni Road physically. The number of online consulting firms around Charni Road is large. You can WhatsApp your documents to them and they will do all the name change work including affidavit creation and notarization, to placing an advertisement in the newspapers and submitting it. After your Gazette name change is published, they will send you the downloadable copy at the egazette.gov.in which makes it easy to do the process even by the NRIs.
The name change process using the Gazette is a step-by-step process:
Once you are done with the name change, which is already published in the Gazette, it will be taken as the official evidence to change your documents. The typical steps include:
Your name change application status can be checked on the site egazette.gov.in. Once it has been published, the Gazette notification can be downloaded on the site. Also, you may ask the consultant or agency with whom you submitted your application to provide updates since they will notify you at which point your name change will be listed in the official Gazette of India (Part IV).
Yes, religious name change is legal in India. It can be because of conversion or spiritual preference and you can submit a name change application to the Gazette. The reason behind the change should also be clearly mentioned in the affidavit and supporting documents such as religious conversion certificate may be necessary. The Gazette notification will in turn be considered as legal evidence of your new name.
No, you cannot change your name without going through the legal process which involves affidavits, advertisement in the newspapers and Gazette publication. Gazette notification is the valid evidence of your change of name which is recognized by all legal and government bodies. This process is necessary otherwise your name change will not be accepted by institutions such as banks, government institutions or courts.
In case you notice an error in your name change published in the Gazette you may have the error corrected by contacting the Department of Publication. You must present a formal request together with supporting documents as to the mistake. The correction will be published in the following issue of the Gazette. To prevent these mistakes, it is necessary to make sure that all the documents are carefully checked.
Yes, you may change your name several times but every time you will have to go through the name change process on Gazette. This implies that one must draft a new affidavit, place an ad in the newspapers and file in the Department of Publication in case of this name change. The updated name has to be proven legally using each Gazette notification.
In order to ensure that your name change application is not denied, you should consider the following tips:
The price for a name change in the Gazette will vary based on a number of factors, such as affidavit notarization, newspaper ad fee, and submission fee to the Department of Publication. Depending on the services that you utilize, the average cost is between ₹1,500 and ₹5,000. There might be extra fees of having a consultant or agent process the submission in case you employ them.
Yes, a Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) can change his/her name through Gazette in India. The procedure is identical when it comes to Indian residents, only that NRIs are required to offer more documents, including an affidavit signed by Consulate or Indian Embassy in their home country. They also have to provide a copy of Indian passport and address evidence in their foreign destination. It is possible to update official records either in India or in other countries by using Gazette name change notification.
Yes, underage people are allowed to change their name on the Gazette legally. It is also initiated by a parent or legal guardian, who provides the necessary documents, such as the birth certificate of the minor, school ID, and the affidavit with the reasons why he or she wants to change the name. The Gazette notification will be used as the official document to update the name of the minor at school records, Aadhaar and other government records.
The Gazette process of name change normally takes between 25 and 45 working days after the receipt of documents. After submitting your application it will be advertised in the Gazette of India (Part IV), that is published weekly. You would be able to check the publication on the Internet and get the downloadable version that would update your documents.
Any Indian citizen including minors, married women, divorced, and NRI is entitled to apply for a name change in the Gazette. In the case of the minors, the application should be made by a parent or a legal guardian. The process is accessible to the individuals who need to change their name due to a number of reasons like marriage, divorce, gender identification, or individual preferences.