Personal Law
How to Change Your Name Legally in India: Affidavit, Newspaper and Gazette
By ATTPL Legal Editorial Team · · 2 min read
Step-by-step process to change your name in India: affidavit, newspaper publication, Gazette of India notification, and updating Aadhaar, PAN, passport and other records.
When people change their name
Common reasons include marriage or divorce, correcting spelling mistakes across documents, numerology or personal preference, and religious conversion. A small spelling correction may only need supporting documents, but a full change of name usually follows a three-step process: affidavit, newspaper advertisement and publication in the Gazette.
Step 1: Affidavit
Prepare an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of the value applicable in your state, stating your old name, new name, reason and address, and get it attested by a notary or executive magistrate. Keep several copies.
Step 2: Newspaper publication
Publish a notice of the name change in two newspapers — commonly one in English and one in the local language — circulating in your area. Keep the original newspaper pages; they are required for the Gazette application.
Step 3: Gazette notification
- Apply to the Department of Publication for publication in the Gazette of India (central), or to the state government press where state Gazette publication is accepted.
- Submit the application form, affidavit, newspaper cuttings, identity proof, photographs and the prescribed fee; applications are increasingly accepted online.
- Once published, download or obtain the Gazette copy — this is the strongest proof of the change.
Updating your records
- Aadhaar: update through an enrolment centre or online where allowed, with supporting proof.
- PAN: apply for correction with the Gazette copy or other valid proof.
- Passport: apply for re-issue with the required documents.
- Bank accounts, insurance, property records, educational certificates and employer records.
Property records may need separate applications — see property mutation in Rajasthan. For married women, a marriage certificate is often accepted as proof without a Gazette notification for some documents; check each authority’s rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gazette notification mandatory for a name change?
It is not always mandatory, but it is the most widely accepted proof, especially for passports and government records.
Can minors change their name?
Yes, through parents or guardians, with additional documents as required.
How long does Gazette publication take?
Timelines vary; online applications are usually processed within a few weeks.
Sources and further reading
General information only, not legal advice. Procedures vary by state; seek legal help for your situation.