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 LegalDesk is around. Broadly classified, the procedure for name change involves only three steps:
- Make an affidavit for change of name
- Place newspaper advertisement with details of change of name
- Submit papers 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.
Create An Affidavit For Change Of Name
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.
Place An Advertisement In Newspaper
The name change advertisement must be placed in one of the leading local daily newspapers with accurate details. The advertisement should include the old name as well as the new name of the applicant, applicant’s full residential address, name of witnessing/attesting authority place and date on which the affidavit was made. 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.
Newspaper Ad Formats
The format for placing a name change ad in newspaper is as below- I, Aswak, r/o Devigudda, Haandi, Aldur(P), CHIKMAGALUR, Karnataka have changed my name as Ashfaq-ur-Rehaman sworn in front for Notary C. Srinivasa on 27/11/15.
Furnish 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 given.
- 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 given 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. 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.
Apply For Change Of Name In Gazette
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.
Please note that the documents should not be more than a year old and also be aware of the fact that once submitted, the documents either original or photocopy, shall not be returned under any circumstances. So, it is advised that the applicants keep extra copies of every document for their personal reference. The printing charges are different for an applicant residing in India and for the one who is an Indian living abroad.
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 an affidavit declaring that he/she has not changed the religion. 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 one or two months for name change ad to appear in the Gazette Publication Part IV. An electronic copy shall be made available for download at the Digital Directory of The Gazette Of India. A copy of the name change notification in Gazette of India will be sent to your residential address by post, by the Authority.
Change Of Name Gazette Notification Sample
This is how your name change ad would look in the Gazette Publication of India.
Change Of Name With us
we provides you the simplest service for change of name in India and the Gazette publication. All you need to do is just provide details including your old name, new name, permanent residential address, ID proof document, photographs, etc. We will complete the remaining tasks involved in name change procedure on your behalf which includes creating an affidavit for name change, placing newspaper advertisement and submitting papers for Gazette notification.
