23 Sep How to Legally Change Your Name in India for Religious Reasons
Name Change Application For Hyderabad
How to Legally Change Your Name in India for Religious Reasons
Change of Name Due to Religious Reasons
You can in India legally change your name due to a religious reason, e.g. conversion. The legal process of making it official and updating it in all records is a simple one.
In India, it is legal that one can change his/her name due to religion or at his/her own wish. Due to religious reasons, an official procedure makes sure that the new name is recognized in the official documents like passport, licenses, and bank accounts that portray your new image.
This blog discusses the process of legally changing your name due to religious reasons, the forms required, the legal process, and updating the name everywhere. It also responds to popular questions.
Why Change a Name Due to Religious Reasons?
You are a name. People can convert it to another religion or spiritual belief which they tend to change after the conversion or as a personal value.
For example:
- Converting to a New Religion: Many people opt to change their names after religious conversion, depending on their religious belief and commitment.
- Spiritual Awakening: Some people pick a name that matches their faith or spiritual values.
- Religious Alignment: People often change their name to match religious customs, especially to reflect divine or spiritual meaning.
Legal Process of Changing a Name Due to Religious Reasons:
If you are opting to change your name for religious reasons you will have to undergo several key processes. It ensures that your name change is legally recognized by all the government and private institutions across the country. Let's take a look at the steps involved:
- Affidavit Preparation:
First, you have to prepare a name change affidavit, which you must sign in the presence of two witnesses and get notarized by a notary public. The affidavit must clearly declare:
- Your current name.
- Your desired name.
- The reason behind your name change (religious reasons).
- Publication of Name Change in Newspapers:
After the affidavit is done, you must publish a name change advertisement in two newspapers:
- One local newspaper: Publish in the local language of your region (e.g., Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, etc.).
- One national newspaper: Publish in a national English daily.
- Apply for Gazette Notification: Then seek a Gazette announcement. This officially documents your new name and serves as legal evidence of the change.
- Submit Documents to Relevant Authorities:
After the publication of your new name in the Gazette, you may use it to change your name in several important government records. You will be required to submit:
- Name change affidavit and newspaper clippings of your name change advertisement.
- Gazette notification.
- Identity documents (e.g., Aadhaar, passport, PAN card, etc.).
- Additional documentation based on the department or organization (bank, educational institution, etc.).
- Update Your Records:
After your name change is legally recognized, update your new name in all important documents:
- Government records: Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN card, passport.
- Educational records: School certificates, university degrees, etc.
- Bank and financial records: Bank accounts, property records, insurance policies.
- Employment records: Notify your employer to update HR and payroll records.
Documents Required for Name Change Due to Religious Reasons
The following are some of the documents that you must accumulate to change your name legally:
- Affidavit: Name change affidavit signed and sealed, stating the former and the new name plus the purpose of the name change (religious reasons).
- Newspaper Clippings: You will need to submit the newspaper clippings of your name change advertisement, published in one local language newspaper and one national English daily.
- Gazette Notification: A copy of the Gazette notification is mandatory as it serves as the official legal proof of your name change.
- ID Proof: Copies of government-issued identity proofs such as Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport, etc.
- Court Order (where applicable): Required when the court mandates it, especially in cases where additional legal validation is needed.
- Conversion Certificate: Certificate from the respective religious authority confirming your conversion.
Steps to Follow
Here are the key steps involved in the process of changing a name due to religious reasons:
- Get a Conversion Certificate: When you change your name because of a religious conversion, you should obtain a certificate of the conversion issued by the religious authority.
- Notarization and Preparation of the Affidavit: Prepare an affidavit of name change including your old name, new name, and the reason for the change. It must be signed by two witnesses and notarized by a notary public.
- Ads in Newspapers: You will be required to place name change ads in two newspapers — one national English daily and one local newspaper in the regional language.
- Application to Gazette Notification: After the newspaper publication, file your application for Gazette Notification with all the required supporting documents at the Department of Publications.
- Update Identity Documents: Once the Gazette notification is published, your new name is officially recognized. You can then update your name in key documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID, and others.
Legal Implications:
- Validity of Name Change: To prevent problems, a religious name change is legal and must be reflected in all official records.
- Caste or Community Status: Changing your name does not affect your caste or community status; rights and benefits remain attached to that.
- State-Specific Laws: In certain states, you may be required to notify the District Magistrate prior to changing your name due to religious conversion.
Cost and Timeframe for Name Change Due to Religious Reasons:
The cost of a name change varies with the process and services used. Estimated costs are:
- Affidavit preparation: ₹100–₹500 (notary fee)
- Newspaper advertisement: ₹1,000–₹3,000 (local and national newspapers)
- Gazette Notification: ₹1,500–₹2,500 (government fees)
- Document Updates: ₹500–₹1,500 (depending on the institution)
- Legal assistance: ₹3,000–₹10,000 (optional)
Timeframe for Name Change Due to Religious Reasons:
It is expected to occur over 2–3 months, including the time required for newspaper publication, Gazette notification, and updating the documents. The step-by-step schedule is:
- Affidavit preparation: 1–2 days
- Newspaper publication: 7–10 days
- Gazette notification: 30–60 days
- Document updates: 15–30 days
Can You Change Your Name for Religious Reasons?
Yes, in India you can change your name legally on religious grounds. This is protected by law. This involves affidavit making, notice publication and Gazette notification. After this, revise all the official documents.
How Do I Change My Name After a Religious Change?
To change your name after you have been converted to religion, make sure you get a conversion certificate. Then have an affidavit notarised of your old and new names. Change of name in one local and one national newspaper, publication in Gazette and eventual change of name in official documents like Aadhaar, passport, and PAN.
What is the Reason for Name Change in Affidavit?
The reason, in the affidavit, you would state why you are changing your name; and most people change their names due to religious conversion or due to their spiritual orientation. This is an official document that legalizes the change and your new name is registered in all documents.
How to Change Name in Aadhaar Card After Religion Change?
To change your name in Aadhaar (in case of conversion to another religious name) you will need notarized affidavit, conversion certificate (where applicable) as well as newspaper or Gazette evidence. Make changes online using UIDAI or visit Aadhaar center. Once this has been done, your Aadhaar will be showing your new name.
FAQs on Name Change Due to Religious Reasons
You will need a notarized affidavit, newspaper clippings of your name change advertisement (one in a local and another in a national English daily), a copy of the Gazette notification, and your identification documents such as Aadhaar or PAN card.
No, a court order is usually not required to make a religious change of name, but it may be required in the case of minors or if requested by authorities.
Yes, you can fully change your name by following the legal process, choosing a name that aligns with your religious or personal beliefs.
The process usually takes around 2–3 months, including publishing the name change advertisement in newspapers and obtaining the Gazette notification.
Yes, it is very important to update your new name on all official documents such as your passport, bank records, educational certificates, and identification documents. This ensures your new name is legally recognized everywhere.
Saptak Chattopadhyay is an experienced author who has written on financial matters, nonprofit organizations, and the effects a person can have on the society. The theme of his work is to offer meaningful interpretation of the financial trends and, at the same time, give a clear answer as to why nonprofits are key to creating positive change in society. Having a thorough knowledge of financial strategies and the problems of nonprofit organizations, Saptak through his writing helps to fill in the gap between complicated financial terminology and a real-life application of them, and give the reader a valuable insight of how financial decision-making can change the society and make it a better place.