Changing your name can be an important decision, and it’s essential to do it legally. India provides legal provisions for individuals to change their name, but the process can be time-consuming and requires proper documentation. Here’s a guide on how to change your name legally in India.
Reasons for Name Change
Before diving into the process, let’s look at some reasons why people change their names. A change in name is often required due to marriage, divorce, or adoption. Sometimes, individuals want to change their names to avoid social stigma, religious reasons, or simply because they don’t like their current name. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to have a legal process to change your name.
Step-by-Step Guide to change your name legally in India
The process of legally changing name change in India involves several steps, including obtaining an affidavit, publishing a notice in a newspaper, and getting a gazette notification. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.
Affidavit
The first step is to obtain an affidavit from a notary. The affidavit should state your current name, the new name you want to adopt, and the reason for the change. The affidavit should be signed by you, two witnesses, and the notary. The witnesses should also provide their contact information.
Newspaper Publication
Once you have obtained the affidavit, you need to publish a notice in a local newspaper. The notice should state your current name, the new name you want to adopt, and the reason for the change. The notice should be published in at least two newspapers, one in the local language and the other in English. You should keep a copy of the newspaper notice as proof of publication.
Gazette Notification
After the newspaper publication, you need to get a gazette notification. The notification is issued by the government and officially announces the change of name. You need to fill out a form for the gazette notification, which is available on the government website. The form requires you to provide your personal details, the current name, and the new name. You also need to attach a copy of the affidavit and the newspaper notice.
Once you have filled out the form and attached the required documents, you need to submit it to the Department of Publication, which is located in Delhi. You can also send the form by post along with a demand draft for the fees. The fees for the gazette notification vary depending on the number of copies you require.
Updating Documents
Once you have obtained the gazette notification, you need to update your name on all the relevant documents, including your passport, driving licence, PAN card, Aadhaar card, bank accounts, and other legal documents. You need to submit a copy of the gazette notification and the affidavit to the relevant authorities to update your name. It’s essential to update your name on all the documents to avoid any legal issues in the future.
Documents Required to change name legally in India
To change your name legally in India, you need to provide the following documents:
- Affidavit: The affidavit should state your current name, the new name you want to adopt, and the reason for the change. It should be signed by you, two witnesses, and the notary.
- Newspaper notice: The notice should be published in at least two newspapers, one in the local language and the other in English. It should state your current name, the new name you want to adopt, and the reason for the change.
- Gazette notification form: The form requires you to provide your personal details, the current name, and the new name. You also need to attach a copy of the affidavit and the newspaper notice.
Copies of relevant documents: You need to provide a copy of the gazette notification and the affidavit to update your name on all the relevant documents.
Conclusion
Changing your name legally in India can be a time-consuming process, but it’s essential to do it to avoid legal issues in the future. The process involves obtaining an affidavit, publishing a notice in a newspaper, getting a gazette notification, and updating your name on all the relevant documents.
It’s important to note that changing your name does not change your identity, and you still need to provide your previous name as a reference in certain situations. For example, when applying for a job or getting a police verification, you need to provide both your current and previous names.
