Why Do We Change Our Name?
Though many people dislike their names, not everyone would opt to make changes. They just hang on to their names throughout their lives mostly because either they may not know what options are available or they think that the procedure for name change is just tedious and tiresome. In reality, name change is not that bothersome, especially when Advocate Advice is around.
- Error in the Birth Certificate
- Errors in School Certificates
- Post-marriage Name Change by Women
- After Divorce
- Spelling Errors
- For Adoptions
- If Religion is changed
- For Official purposes
- Astrological or Numerological reasons
- To Add or Remove Surname
- In case of Gender Change
Gazette Name Change Process in India
The procedure for name change involves only three steps:
- Make an Affidavit for Change of Name
- Place Newspaper Advertisements in the Local and National Newspapers
- Prepare the documentations (Request letter, CD Certificate, Witness Forms and CD containing Name Change Advertisement)
- Submit the Documents to the Department Of Publication
To change name by oneself, the first and foremost criteria to be met by a name change applicant is that he/she should be over 18 years age. The procedure is different for the name change of a minor.
Here’s the detailed information about what one needs to do in order to change name.
1 - Name Change Affidavit in India
The first step in changing one’s name is to obtain an affidavit for the change of name from a nearby notary public in India. An affidavit is required explaining why the name change is opted by the person who is making the affidavit besides affirming these details-
- Full name of the applicant (deponent)
- Father’s name or husband’s name (in case of married women)
- Full residential address
- A declaration stating that the facts provided in the affidavit are true and correct
The deponent should sign the affidavit at the recommended place. It should be attested by a Judicial Magistrate or Notary or an Oaths Commissioner.
Now that you have completed your declaration of name change, It should be attested by a Judicial Magistrate or Notary or an Oaths Commissioner. We assist you with the notaries part at your doorstep as well.
2 - Publication in Newspaper
1. Following completion of the previous phase in the name change process. The next step is to publish the name change in a newspaper.
2. You must publish an advertisement in local publications, one in the Hindi-speaking region and one in an English-speaking publication.
3. A few crucial details that should be included in the newspaper publication for your name change include:
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Old and New Name of Applicant
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Full Address of Applicant
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Age of Applicant (In Case of Minor Name Change)
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Father’s/Husband Name of Applicant
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Notary Name who attested the affidavit
Always verify that the advertisement’s content and the previously mentioned items are accurate and appropriate before placing it in a newspaper. Your entire operation could be wasted by a simple error.
If the applicant is a Government employee, he/she can submit a deed for change of name in accordance with the rules stated in the Office Memorandum No. 19016/01/87 as issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
If the applicant is an Indian living abroad, then he/she should submit deed duly attested by the Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission, in original to the Authority.
Here is an example of a newspaper advertisement for the name change:
Documents Required for Name Change
An individual looking to change his/her name has to keep the below documents ready for the publication of change of name advertisement in the Gazette of India.
- An affidavit duly signed by the applicant and attested by Judicial Magistrate/Notary.
- Original newspaper in which Name Change ad is published.
- Prescribed proforma (should be computer typed and not handwritten) with Signatures of Applicant and Two Witnesses.
- A C.D. (Compact Disc) that contains the soft copy (typed content, not a scanned copy) of the application in MS Word format. In the place of signature of applicant, the applicant’s old name has to be typed and witness details need not be included.
- A certificate in which the applicant declares that the contents included in both Soft copy and Hard copy are similar and true. The applicant should duly sign the certificate.
- Two passport size photographs, both self-attested by the applicant.
- A photocopy of a valid ID proof, self attested by the applicant.
- A request letter along with the requisite fee as per the Authority.
3 - Gazette Notification for Name Change
The third and last step of this process is The GAZETTE NOTIFICATION.
The documents listed above, printing charges along with a forwarding letter should be submitted to The Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054. The papers have to be submitted either personally or shall be sent by post/courier to the Department.
If a person belonging to one religion wishes to take a name of another religion, without changing the religion, then he/she will have to provide a declaring that he/she has not changed the religion only his/her Name. The affidavit should be duly signed by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The printing charges of advertising in Gazette varies in such a case too.
Once the application is received, the documents will be checked by the concerned persons of the Department. And after confirming that the application is complete in all aspects, it will be sent for notification to the respective Govt. of India Press. It usually takes around 15 Days or 2 months for name change ad to appear in the Gazette Publication Part IV depending on the way you submit the file. An electronic copy shall be made available for download at the Digital Directory of The Gazette Of India.
Advocate Advice will assist you with announcements in the Delhi-based Central Gazette.
To change your name legally for Astrological, Passport, Personal or Professional reasons, We simplify this challenging procedure! Changing your name with us is a very transparent process, and working with us has the following advantages:
Get Peace of Mind – We’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
Saves you time – To help you move past this swiftly, our qualified team evaluates and completes your paperwork and advises you on the quickest approach to have your name changed. No queues to wait in! Our experts will even come and collect documentation from your home if needed.
Simple, Quick & Legal – We make sure to do everything correctly the first time so you can easily obtain your name change document. We think that altering someone’s identity should be done legitimately.
Name Change Office Address In India
Central Gazette office is located at Delhi and Official Address is — Department of Publication, Civil
Lines, Delhi-110054. Ph : 8882690085 , 8595590085(Call for Assistance)