Maharashtra Gazette Name Change 1

Maharashtra Gazette Name Change

Maharashtra Gazette Name Change

Complete 2026 Guide to Notification, Process, Documents & Fees

Table of Contents

Introduction: What is Maharashtra Gazette and Why It's Necessary

In simple words the Maharashtra Gazette Name Change process is the official or legal way to legally update your name through a public notification that is published by the Maharashtra Government's Directorate of Printing, Stationery and Publications (DGPS). Unlike the other informal name changes, this gazette notification, published by the Maharashtra Government's Directorate of Printing, Stationery and Publications (DGPS). makes your new name legally valid and accepted nationwide. Please note that this process is very important for updating your other important official and legal documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts among others.

You may ask me 'why is it necessary?' The answer is very simple: in Maharashtra including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, courts or private name change affidavits alone aren't enough for maintaining the government records. So the gazette publication proves as the ultimate public notice that legally authenticates your name change and helps to prevent frauds.

This is a mandatory process for the NRIs, government employees, and for significant life events such as marriage. This 2026 based guide seamlessly covers the entire Maharashtra Gazette Name Change process end-to-end, and saves your valuable time and effort.

Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra Gazette Name Change

Anyone applying for a Maharashtra Gazette name change needs to follow a few basic steps:

Adults (18+)

Adult applicants must be Indian citizens, and must have lived in Maharashtra for at least 6 months with no prior or existing criminal record.

Minors (under 18)

If any applicant is a minor, their parents or legal guardians can apply on their behalf. In such scenarios, consent from both parents is required, unless there is a single parent or a court order.

NRIs

For Non Residential Indian, (NRI applicants) proof of the last address in Maharashtra is mandatory. Apostille is needed for use outside India.

Other

In other cases, such as gender transition, religion change, or spelling corrections, there are no restrictions on full name or surname changes in Maharashtra.

Who is not eligible?
Applicants with recent convictions or ongoing legal disputes are not eligible for the process. For more detailed information and confirmation please contact the DGPS helpline at: 022-22025377 (Mumbai).

Complete Document Checklist

If you are opting for a legal name change process in Maharashtra, you will need to gather the following documents for Gazette name change in Maharashtra. Please ensure all documents are scanned in color and in A4 size:

Document Details Mandatory?
Application Form DGPS Form-1 (download from dgps.maharashtra.gov.in) Yes
Affidavit Notarized on ₹100 stamp paper Yes
Newspaper Ads Original cuttings from 2 papers (one local Marathi/English) Yes
ID Proof Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport (old name) Yes (2)
Address Proof Electricity bill, rental agreement (Maharashtra address) Yes
Birth Certificate Self-attested copy Yes (minors/adults)
No Objection Certificate From spouse/parents (if applicable) Conditional
Photos 4 passport-size (old & new name backdrop optional) Yes
Court Order (if any) For minors/divorce cases Conditional
Pro Tip: Self-attest all; notarize only affidavit/ads. Total: 10-15 pages.

3-Step Process Breakdown

The Gazette name change in Maharashtra process can be broken down into these simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare Affidavit & Ads

Draft a name change affidavit, it must be notarized by a notary public, after preparing the affidavit you will have to publish name change ads in 2 newspapers within a 30-day gap.

Step 2: Submit Application

You can submit your application either online through the DGPS portal or offline by visiting the Mumbai or Pune office in person.

Step 3: Gazette Publication & Certificate

Then pay the applicable fees; post approval, you will receive the PDF/soft copy within 30 business days from the day of submission, and then you will receive the official hard copy.

Online Application Guide

For the fastest Gazette name change, it's best to apply online through dgps.maharashtra.gov.in. Just follow the steps one by one:

  1. Visit the Portal: At first visit the dgps.maharashtra.gov.in site then go to the "Extraordinary Gazette" section and select "Name Change".
    Screenshot desc: Homepage slider with "Apply Online" button; form fields for old/new name
  2. Register & Fill Form: Then, register or log in using your mobile number or email ID, and fill out Form-1 with your old name, new name, reason for the name change, and residential address.
    Screenshot: Form preview with dropdowns for district—Mumbai selected
  3. Upload Documents & Pay: Then upload all the necessary documents in PDF or JPG format, size should be less than 2MB each. Then pay the applicable fees securely via net banking or UPI.
    Screenshot: Upload queue showing affidavit/newspaper clippings
  4. Track & Download: You can then track the status of your application using the ARN number sent to your email. Once your application is approved, download the e-Gazette from "My Applications."
Processing Time: The processing usually takes 7–15 business days, and the fees are automatically deducted in this process.

Offline Application Process

Physical submission process (this process is ideal for senior citizens and NRIs). Follow these steps carefully:

  1. First download Form-1 from DGPS site.
  2. Then submit it at:
    • Mumbai: DGPS Office, A/Block, Old Custom House, Fort, Mumbai-400001
    • Pune/Nagpur: Regional offices (check dgps.maharashtra.gov.in)
  3. You can pay the applicable fees by cash or Demand Draft; You will get the payment receipt, please don't forget to preserve it.
  4. Courier option is also available at ₹50 extra.
  5. You can collect certificates in person or by registered post.

Affidavit Format & Samples

Notarize on ₹100 stamp paper.

Sample Affidavit for Adult Name Change (Maharashtra format):

AFFIDAVIT I, [Old Name], S/o D/o [Father's Name], aged [Age], R/o [Address], do solemnly affirm: 1. My name is recorded as [Old Name] in documents. 2. I wish to change to [New Name] for [reason, e.g., personal preference]. 3. No criminal proceedings against me. Deponent (Notary Seal) Date:

Samples for Special Cases:

  • Marriage: Add "Formerly known as [Maiden Name] post marriage to [Spouse]".
  • Minor: "On behalf of child [Name], both parents consent".
  • NRI: Include "Last resided in Maharashtra [address]".
Tip: Copy-paste, customize, print.

Newspaper Advertisement Guide

Published in 2 papers: 1 Maharashtra-wide (e.g., Maharashtra Times), 1 local (e.g., Mumbai Sakal). 30-day gap minimum.

Sample Ad Format:

PUBLIC NOTICE I, [Old Name] S/o [Father], R/o [Address], have changed my name to [New Name] vide affidavit dated [Date]. Henceforth, I shall be known as [New Name]. [Old Name]

Booking:

  • Online: BookMyAd.com or newspaper sites (₹500-2000/ad)
  • Agencies: Riyo Advertising (Mumbai-based)
Important: Keep originals 3 months.

Detailed Fee Structure

Maharashtra Gazette name change fees (2026 updated):

Item DIY Cost (₹) Professional Service (₹)
Affidavit (₹100 stamp + notary) 200-400 Included
Newspaper Ads (2) 1,500-4,000 2,500-6,000
DGPS Application 450 (Urgent: 900) Included
e-Gazette Download Free Free
Hard Copy Post 100 Included
Total 2,250-5,400 7,000-15,000

Comparison: Maharashtra vs Central Gazette

Feature Maharashtra Gazette Central Gazette
Scope Maharashtra records All-India
Fee ₹450 ₹900+
Time 15-30 days 30-60 days
Best For Local residents NRIs/Passport

Timeline & Processing Expectations

Week-by-week for Maharashtra Gazette name change:

  • Week 1: Affidavit + 1st ad
  • Week 4: 2nd ad (30-day notice)
  • Week 5-6: Submit application
  • Week 7-9: Publication; e-copy ready
  • Week 10+: Hard copy
Delays? Monsoon/festivals add 1 week.

How to Use Your Gazette Certificate

Please note the Gazette PDF is valid for your lifetime. You can easily download this from dgps.maharashtra.gov.in (ARN login). Take at least 5 printouts and laminate them for extra protection.

Quick Updates:

Document Portal/Process Timeline Fee
Aadhaar myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Upload Gazette 7-15 days Free
PAN nsdl.com → Correction form + Gazette 15 days ₹107
Passport passportindia.gov.in → Re-issue 30 days ₹1,500
Banks/DL/Voter Branch/RTO portal + Gazette Instant-15 days Varies
Education University + Gazette 1-3 months Varies
Checklist: Gazette + old doc + photo + address proof

Special Cases

Marriage/Divorce

Marriage cert/decree + spouse NOC

Minors

Guardian affidavit + school NOC + birth cert

NRIs

Old MH address proof + MEA apostille

Govt Employees

Dept NOC

Gender Transition

Medical cert (optional)

Tip: Start with Aadhaar; Mumbai contacts via UIDAI/DGPS

Common Mistakes: 10 Errors to Avoid

# Mistake Solution
1 Wrong Newspaper Always use Marathi/English Maharashtra papers
2 No 30-Day Gap Wait full period
3 Poor Scans High-res color PDFs
4 Missing Self-Attestation Do all except notary
5 Incorrect Form Use latest Form-1
6 Payment Errors UPI/net banking only online
7 No Mumbai Address Proof Rental ok
8 Typo in New Name Double-check
9 Skipping 2nd Ad Invalidates process
10 Not Tracking ARN Check portal daily

20 Voice Search FAQs: Maharashtra Gazette Name Change

1. How much does Maharashtra Gazette name change cost?
₹2,250-5,400 DIY (ads + fees); ₹7k-15k with service.
2. How long does Maharashtra Gazette notification take?
It generally takes 15-30 business days after submission of your application, the entire process generally takes 6 to 8 weeks.
3. Can NRIs apply for Maharashtra Gazette name change?
Yes, they can apply with their old Maharashtra address and address proof.
4. What's the DGPS Maharashtra Gazette online apply link?
dgps.maharashtra.gov.in → Extraordinary Gazette → Name Change.
5. Maharashtra Gazette vs Central—which for passport?
Maharashtra Gazette is okay for the purposes but the Central Gazette is valid and accepted nationwide.
6. How to do a minor name change in Maharashtra Gazette?
For minor applicants parents or legal guardians can apply with the minor's birth certificate, school NOC; no ads are needed in case if the court order is ok.
7. Maharashtra Gazette urgent fees?
Urgent or Tatakal = ₹900 while ₹450 for the normal Gazettes.
8. Name change after marriage Maharashtra Gazette?
Just add your marriage certificate + your spouse's NOC; the rest of the process is the same as normal name changes.
9. How to download Maharashtra Gazette e-copy?
Portal login → My Applications → ARN → Download PDF.
10. Maharashtra Gazette office address Mumbai?
A/Block, Old Custom House, Fort, Mumbai-400001.
11. What stamp paper for name change affidavit Maharashtra?
₹100 non-judicial stamp paper is required for name changes in Maharashtra.
12. Which newspapers for Maharashtra Gazette name change?
Best Combo = Sakal (Marathi/Regional) + Times of India (English/National).
13. Divorce name change process Maharashtra Gazette?
You will have to show your Divorce decree + Gazette as proof and NOC from your ex-spouse (optional).
14. Is a medical certificate needed for gender name change Maharashtra?
It's optional; you will have to mention this in the affidavit.
15. Government job name change Maharashtra Gazette?
Yes, for Government employees the NOC from the department is required.
16. How to track Maharashtra Gazette application status?
You can easily track it through the portal with the provided ARN or you can call 022-22025377.
17. Is Maharashtra Gazette valid forever?
Yes, it is valid forever.
18. Should I use professional service for Gazette name change?
If time isn't tight, doing it yourself can save ₹5,000 or more.
19. Maharashtra DGPS office hours Mumbai?
10 AM - 5 PM, Mon-Sat.
20. DGPS Maharashtra helpline number?
022-22025377 or dgps@maharashtra.gov.in.

Pro Tips for Smooth Processing

  • Use Riyo Advertising for ads (SEO-optimized service)
  • Track via app notifications
  • DIY under ₹5k; pros for speed
  • Backup docs digitally
  • Update records immediately post-gazette


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