What is the Process to Change Name in India?
If you are an Indian Citizen and want to change your name or correct the wrong name in any of the documents to the correct name, then Gazette Notification is the way to do it. For this, a person has to follow some legal steps. However, there may be slight changes in these procedures based on different types of name change or name correction, but basic formalities are similar. Following this ensures that your name change process is recognized by the Government and other entities. Let’s take a look at each step in detail to understand the entire name change process which should be followed by an individual.
Affidavit: First of all, to change your name in India, an Individual has to prepare an affidavit. In which you declare that you are changing your name from XYZ to ABC and you have to tell the reason for your name change.
Newspaper publication: To publicly announce the change of your name, you need to publish it in the local or National newspaper.
Gazette notification: Then the final step is to get a notification published in the Gazette of India. It is a government publication which acts as a legal certificate of Name Change.
Is a Name Change Legal in India?
Yes, every person in India has the right to change their name. But to change your name you have to change it legally. Because name change which is done officially through Gazette is valid everywhere or else a person will face problems in future. The name change done through Gazette notification is accepted in government places and other institutions. There can be many reasons why an individual may have to change the name. Such as After marriage, After divorce, Adoption, Change of Religion, Change of Gender, Wrong name, Numerology or Personal Choice.
Documents Required for Gazette Notification for Name Change
Gazette Notification- It is an official notification published in the Government Gazette, through which the public is informed about your Name Change. It acts as a legal document or certificate of Name Change. Here is the list of Documents required for the Gazette Notification for Name Change in India.
Document for gazette Notification
1 – Government Identity proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Passport, Driving Licence)
2 – Newspaper Advertisement (Either in Local or National Newspaper) (Matter should be in English)
3 – Duly attested Affidavit for Name Change
4 – Application Form
5 – Address Proof
6 – 2 Passport Sized photos
7 – Witness Forms
8- CD Certificate