Documentation & Name Change 📅 2026-07-16 ⏱️ 8 min read 👤 Advocate Panchanand Shaw

How to Change Name Legally in India — Affidavit, Gazette & Document Update Guide 2026 | Advocate Panchanand Shaw

Complete legal guide to changing your name in India. Affidavit, newspaper publication, gazette notification, and updating all documents — Aadhaar, PAN, passport. Advocate Panchanand Shaw, Kolkata.

Legal Basis for Name Change in India

Changing your name in India is a legal right, not a privilege. While there is no specific central legislation governing name changes, the established legal procedure relies on a combination of the Indian Evidence Act, the Notaries Act, and administrative guidelines of the Department of Publication (Gazette of India). The Supreme Court has consistently upheld that an individual has the right to change their name provided it is done through the proper legal process and not for fraudulent purposes.

The process involves three key steps: (1) Executing a notarized affidavit, (2) Publishing the name change in two newspapers, and (3) Getting the name change published in the Gazette of India or the State Gazette. Following this, you must update all your identity documents — Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, and educational certificates.

Step 1: Drafting and Notarizing the Affidavit

The first and most crucial step is executing a legal affidavit for name change. The affidavit must be prepared on a non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value (₹10-50 depending on the state). In West Bengal, a ₹10 stamp paper is typically sufficient. The affidavit must include:

1. Full old name and the new proposed name.
2. Father's name / Husband's name (as applicable).
3. Full residential address.
4. Reason for the name change (marriage, divorce, numerological, personal preference, etc.).
5. A declaration that the applicant is the same person and is not changing the name for any fraudulent purpose.
6. Date and place of execution.
7. Signature/thumb impression of the deponent.

The affidavit must be sworn before a Notary Public or an Executive Magistrate/Judicial Magistrate of the First Class. The notary will verify your identity (usually through Aadhaar or other photo ID) and attest the affidavit. You must carry original ID proof and photocopies to the notary.

Step 2: Newspaper Publication

After the affidavit, you must publish the name change in two newspapers — one English-language daily and one regional language daily (e.g., a Bengali newspaper in West Bengal). The format of the advertisement is standardized: 'I, [old name], son/daughter/wife of [father/husband name], resident of [address], have changed my name to [new name] with effect from [date].' The publication serves as public notice and creates a record of the name change.

The advertisement must include your old name, new name, father/husband's name, and residential address. Keep multiple copies of both newspapers — you will need them as supporting documents when updating your IDs and for the gazette application. The cost of publication is typically ₹500-1500 per newspaper depending on the city and the length of the advertisement.

Step 3: Gazette Notification

The Gazette notification is the final and most official step. You can apply for publication in either the Gazette of India (for changes recognized nationally) or the State Gazette (for state-level recognition). The application is made through the Department of Publication, Government of India, or the state's gazette department.

Documents required for gazette publication:

1. Application form (Form No. 1 for Gazette of India).
2. Original notarized affidavit.
3. Original newspaper cuttings (both English and regional language).
4. Copy of photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport).
5. Copy of address proof.
6. Two passport-size photographs.
7. Prescribed fee (demand draft or online payment).
8. Covering letter addressed to the Controller of Publications.
9. CD/floppy disk with soft copy of the notification text (as per Gazette requirements).

Step 4: Updating Identity Documents

Once the gazette notification is published, you must systematically update all your identity documents. The order of updating matters because each updated document serves as supporting proof for the next:

1. Aadhaar Card: Visit the UIDAI portal or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Submit the gazette notification, affidavit copy, and newspaper clippings. The name is updated after verification (fee ₹50).
2. PAN Card: Apply for correction on the NSDL/UTIITSL portal using the 'Request for New PAN Card or/and Changes' form. Submit gazette copy, affidavit, and updated Aadhaar.
3. Passport: Apply for re-issue with name change. Submit the original gazette notification, affidavit, newspaper clippings, and updated Aadhaar/PAN. The passport office may require a personal appearance.
4. Bank Accounts: Visit the bank branch with the gazette notification and updated KYC documents (Aadhaar/PAN). Submit a name change request form.
5. Educational Certificates: Approach the respective board/university with the gazette notification and a written application. They may issue an updated certificate or an annexure noting the name change.
6. Voter ID: File Form 8 for correction with the Election Commission. Attach the gazette notification and updated address proof.

Name Change After Marriage or Divorce

For women changing their surname after marriage, the process is similar but slightly simplified. The marriage certificate serves as strong supporting evidence. For name change after divorce, the divorce decree along with the affidavit and newspaper publication is sufficient. In both cases, the gazette notification step is still recommended for a comprehensive legal record.