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.
Our Maharashtra Gazette Name Change Service is a smooth, convenient and problem-free process that a person can undergo in order to change his or her name legally. This service simplifies the documenting exercise since it ensures that the clients go through the process of changing their name with minimum tasks. So, that is how it helps you and us as our workflow:
We make it easy and straightforward by guiding you step by step through the name change process, whether you are getting married, fixing a misspelled name, or becoming somebody new, we are here to help.
Through the Maharashtra Gazette Name Change system, you shall be able to do the whole process at the comfort of your home, save yourself time and the long queues and papers.
The system allows you to filing and publishing your name change in the Maharashtra Gazette online, reducing the traditional obstacles and giving you the speed.
Your name change will be legally recorded after it is endorsed and published in the Maharashtra Gazette and accepted by all legal and governmental systems.
We start with a consultation to ascertain the reason behind your change of name (personal, marital or clerical) and proceed to format the paper as such.
We bring all the required papers and make sure that forms are duly completed to avoid delays or rejections.
Our team does online filing of your name change application with the Maharashtra Gazette, and ensures every step is followed properly.
Once you have submitted it, your name change shall be printed in the Maharashtra Gazette whereby you shall be issued with an official copy as a record of your new name.
After we publish your name change, we help you update your official documentation (ID, passport, etc.) to reflect the change.
To publish an name change ad in The Times of India, Mumbai, begin by preparing your notarized affidavit for the name change. The next step is to place an ad in The Times of India classified, as it is a trustworthy and well circulated newspaper accepted regularly by the government and financial institutions.
The general charge of a name change advertisement in The Times of India, Mumbai is about 1000 for 5 lines. You'll need to include things like your old and new name, your father's or husband's name, full address, age, and reference to your affidavit. Booking can be done easily online - you just need to select "change of name" in the classifieds section, complete the form, upload your ad content, select the date and edition, and pay.
Publishing of this ad is an official requirement for updating your important documents like your passport, bank accounts, Aadhaar and PAN card. Remember to save original copies of the newspaper to submit with application processes.
To publish a name change ad, the following documents are usually required:
Placing a Name Change Ad in The Times of India guarantees the following:
The name change ad rates in Indian newspapers can be vastly different based on various factors such as the location of the newspaper, the category of the ad (classified text/classified display), the length or size of the words used in the ad, and the issue in which the advert appears. A comparative table according to the 2025 data of major national dailies is provided below:
| Newspaper | Classified Text Rate (Approx.) | Classified Display Rate (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | ₹1,075 – ₹1,550 for 5 lines | ₹625/sqcm (Mumbai) to ₹551/sqcm (Bangalore) | Major metros may cost more |
| Hindustan Times | ₹450 for 5 lines | ₹80–₹475/sqcm (varies by city/edition) | Delhi main edition, more in metros |
| The Hindu | ₹170 for 2 lines | ₹25–₹1,975/sqcm (varies by city/edition) | South India focus |
| Maharashtra Times | ₹900 for 5 lines | ₹450–₹650/sqcm | Often paired with TOI in Mumbai |
| Indian Express | ₹1,100 for 20 words | ₹500–₹950/sqcm | Popular for passport ads |
In the case of newspaper ad pricing, it does depend on where you are advertising as well as the edition you are advertising in. Prices may differ very widely across the regions, and even across issues of the same newspaper. However, now the good news comes in, in this case, newspapers usually have combo offers or some discounts when you order more copies of the newspapers at once, so they can even save a bit, should you be planning to go big!
To ensure that the rates you are paying are accurate and up-to-date, it is an excellent idea to visit the online booking portal of the newspaper or contact their approved agencies. That way, you will be aware of what you are dealing with before you book your ads. It is all about streamlining the process and getting the best deal possible on your campaign.
For Adults
For Minors
In order to place an ad of changing name in Mumbai, one needs to provide the following documents:
Possessing such documents will assist in the easy publication and acceptance of your name changing ad on all legal and official changes in Mumbai.
English Dailies: Times of India, Indian Express, Free Press Journal
Marathi Dailies: Maharashtra Times, Loksatta, Navshakti, Mumbai Lakshadeep
Popular newspapers for publishing name change ads in Mumbai include:
One English national and one local/regional language newspaper is typical in terms of full legal compliance in Mumbai.
Print at least 3 copies of your Name Change Ad (original) post publication to verify later with passport offices, banks, or Gazette.
Now you may book a Name Change Ad online in India, by following appropriate procedures and furnish the necessary documents.
It requires documents such as the government-5ed ID such as Aadhaar, PAN card, passport or voter ID to be verified, particularly when filing an online Name Change Ad.
While drafting a Name Change Ad you must mandatorily mention the following:
To be legally valid, the Name Change Ad has to be published in two newspapers:
The Name Change Ad can be paid with the help of credit/debit cards, net banking, NEFT, or UPI.
You will be required to attach the scanned versions of the affidavit and supporting documents during online booking. Nonetheless, it may happen in a case, when you will have to mail the documents, having paid the sum and made a confirmation of booking.
Mention correct address (matching the affidavit/ID) and a valid phone number or email, as required by the newspaper portal.
To prevent rejection, confirm that there are no spelling mistakes or details omitted in the Affidavit and Name Change Ad draft.
If your Name Change Ad booking meets the above requirements, then only it will attain legal validity, and will be accepted across all the government bodies.
You can book your Name Change Ad in Times of India or any other daily, through changeofname.in, where you will get options such as:
Moreover, changeofname.in offers cost-effective options to publish your Name Change Ad, whether it’s due to marriage, passport updates, or personal reasons,
Following the publication of your name change ad in newspapers, you will require a Gazette notification, to make it official.
Steps to Get a Gazette Notification After Newspaper Publication
Prepare Required Documents
Draft the Application
Submit Your Application
Pay the Fee
Publication & Collection
| Step | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Affidavit | Notarized, with old/new name, address, reason |
| Newspaper Ads | Originals in one English national & one regional daily |
| Identity Proof | Aadhaar/PAN/Passport |
| Address Proof | Utility bill, Aadhaar, etc. |
| Photographs | Two self-attested passport size |
| Application & Declaration | Filled Gazette form, declaration certificate |
| Soft Copy | Application contents in MS Word (CD/pendrive) |
| Fee | As prescribed by the Gazette authority |
Tips
Once the Gazette notification is published, you can use it as valid evidence to change your name in all your important legal documents. This includes your Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, bank accounts, and other government records. Consider it one of the most important steps in ensuring that all your documents accurately reflect your new name, making things easier for you when you apply for something in the future or you need to involve a legal brief. It's a simple yet important step to making sure everything fits together!
The Name Change Ads are normally released the following day after booking. At the time of the cutoff time of the newspaper which is usually about 1:00 PM, the documentation and payment are done.
You may publish your Name Change Ad in both an English daily (such as Times of India) and a local/regional language daily (such as Maharashtra Times). Also you may publish in additional newspapers for a wider reach.
No. You have to submit only the self-attested copies of your documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, or voter ID.
While booking a Name Change Ad, it is mandatory to state the reason for change. However, the most common reasons for a name change are marriage, divorce, adoption, religious conversion, correction of spelling errors, or a complete name change.
The documents required for publication of a Name Change Ad:
A notarized name change affidavit (not older than 6 months)
A government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, or passport)
Address proof (sometimes requested)
The draft text of your Name Change Ad
The scanned version or a real clipping of the newspaper advert will be sent to you after you have published your Name Change Ad. You have to file them in passport offices, banks or Gazette notification.
The costs for a Name Change Ad varies depending on the newspaper, edition, and ad type. For example, in Times of India (Mumbai edition), placing a classified text ad will cost around ₹1,075 for 5 lines. Display ads are on the pricier side, depending on size and placement.
You can also book a Name Change Ad online, by visiting the respective portals or through an authorized ad booking agency, and then you have to upload the necessary documents, draft the ad, and make the payment online.
After the publication of your Name Change Ad, the next step is to apply for the Gazette notification either at the Central or State level, by submitting your affidavit, newspaper advertisements, ID/address proof, photos, and an application form.
A minor, in case of that, is the parents or the legal guardians, who can publish the Name Change Ad. The advertisement must include the name of the parents, the previous and new names of the child and the remarks of the affidavit.
