Changing Name: It is quite usual for people to change their names in India. Many people change their names for a number of reasons. Some do it for good luck, while others do it after marriage, and yet others wish to correct the spellings of their names. However, anyone who wishes to change their name will have to change their name legally. The legal procedures which one needs to follow in order to change their names are explained in this article. Read on to find out.
Procedure to Change Name
In order to change the name legally in India, one will have to follow the 3 step procedures which are explained below:
Step 1: Creation of Name Change Affidavit
The first step towards changing the name is to come with a new name. Once you have decided on the new name, you will have to prepare a Name Change Affidavit. For Name Change Affidavit, one will have to seek the assistance of a lawyer.
And this Name Change Affidavit is drafted on the stamp paper. In the Name Change Affidavit, one will have to mention the earlier name, the new name. Also one will have to mention the reason why he/she wants to change the name and mention the place of residence (current address). Once the process is completed, the name change affidavit must be signed by two witnesses and stamped by a gazetted officer.
Step 2: Newspaper Advertisement for Changing Name
Once the affidavit process is completed, the next step is to post an advertisement or release notice in a local newspaper saying that the name has been changed. For that one will have to select the 2 newspapers i.e., one newspaper language should be the state’s official language and the other newspaper’s language should be English.
For example, let’s say you live in Andhra Pradesh, then you can choose state’s local newspaper such as Eenadu or Andhrajyothi and other newspaper as Times of India/Indian Express.
So basically, the prerequisites for advertising in the newspaper are to choose two popular daily publications and send them a request with the following information:
- Current Name
- Previous Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
Step 3: Gazette Procedure for Changing Name
This is the final step. Your name will be changed once the new name is finalised after your gazette notification is published. For those employed by the government, the name change gazette notification is required; for others, it is optional. However, the gazette procedure is the only considerable evidence of your name change. Now you will have to submit few documents and they are:
- ‘Deed Changing Came Form’ which can be collected from Controller of Publication, Department of Publication
- Declaration letter of changing the name
- Original copies of newspaper publication
- 2 Passport size photographs
- Address and Photo ID proofs
Before sending in the following information, call the Controller’s Office of Publication to acquire a complete list of what needs to be supplied, and make a note of it. Also, before sending the above documents to the Controller of Publication’s office address, place them in an A4-sized envelope.
The Controller of Publication’s office will deliver information along with copies of the Gazette in which the advertisement/notification was published. One should preserve all these documents carefully for future reference.
Gazette Notification Fees
Your part of the name changing process in India is now complete. Let’s look at the online fees for changing your name in the Gazette. The government will publish your new name in the Gazette. Depending on whether you want a public notice or not, the cost of a Gazette notification is either Rs. 700 or Rs. 900.
Address To Which the Documents To Be Sent
If you are submitting address in person, then you will have to visit the following address:
Controller of Publication,
Department of Publication,
Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054
If you are changing your name online, then you can send the documents to the address, which is as mentioned on the official website of the Department of Publication.
How To Change Name After Marriage?
Now, let’s look at the steps for changing your name in India. Marriage is a life-changing event. It also requires the change of a name (or surname) for many women, though many fewer than in the past. If you’re getting married or have recently married and need to alter your name, then you can simply follow the steps listed above to get your names changed.
Name Change In Birth Certificate
Usually, in urban areas, birth certificates are issued by the Municipal Corporation/Municipal Council, whereas in rural areas, the authority is the Tehsildar at the Taluka level, and the Gram Panchayat Office at the village level. Thus the steps to change your name on Birth Certificate is so simple and they are listed below:
- Collect the Birth Certificate Update/Correction Form from Municipal Corporation or Gram Panchayat office, where the birth certificate was issued.
- Obtain an affidavit from a local notary and approach the officer about changing your name on your birth certificate. Make an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper with a minimal stamp and include the reason for the name change.
- Fill out the correction form and submit it to the municipal corporation along with an affidavit or certified copy of the judge’s original signature.
- Following the completion of the application process, publish the advertisement in the local newspaper and your state’s official Gazette publication.
Name Change in PAN Card
PAN card name changes can be done online using TIN or NSDL. The procedure is simple and maybe completed by filling out the form for PAN Card online name change through TIN or NSDL. The fee for seeking a PAN card change is Rs.105, with an additional charge of Rs.866 if the PAN card needs to be mailed abroad.
Name Change in PassPort
If you currently hold a passport and wish to update your surname after marriage, you must apply for a re-issue rather than a new passport. Though the application process stays the same, wedding certificates, old passports, copies of one’s husband’s passport, and other fundamental formalities are required to apply for a re-issue of passport.
Name Change in Bank Documents
Individuals who wish to change their name in bank documents can simply visit the bank and request for the same. If a woman needs to change her name after marriage, she must produce a marriage certificate in order for the change to be reflected in bank records. Banks may request additional documentation to authenticate the request in accordance with their internal policies. In most cases, a marriage certificate and a joint notarized affidavit from a notary will suffice to get the job of name change completed in a bank. The bank may also request proof of the husband’s address, such as a copy of his passport.
FAQs on Changing Name
The frequently asked questions on Changing Name in India are given below:
Q. What are the reasons for changing name?
A. The list of reasons for changing name are given below:
1. Change of Gender
2. Dislike Current Name
3. Divorce
4. Identity Makeover
5. Marriage
6. Political Context
7. Religious Reasons
Q. How do I advertise my name change?
A. The sample advertisement for newspaper publication is:
Format: I, XYZ, residing at, have changed my name to ABC and will be known as ABC from here on in. I have submitted an affidavit to this effect, which was signed by on.
Example: I, Manjunath V R/o 551, 10th Main, 8th Cross, Nr. Bombay Dyeing, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore-560022, have changed my name to Manjunath Rao forever vide affidavit dated 18.12.15 Sworn before Notary K. Venkateshan Bangalore.
Q. Does changing your name affect your credit?
A. No, changing name doesn’t affect credit report or credit score.