There may be several reasons why you may want to change name in gazette in India. Maybe you want to take on your spouse’s surname after marriage, or perhaps you want to revert to your maiden name after a divorce. Whatever the reason, the process of legally changing your last name in India can be a bit confusing and time-consuming. In this blog, we will go over the steps involved in legally changing your last name in India and what documents you will need to provide.

Eligibility:

Before we get into the process of changing your last name, it’s important to know if you are eligible to do so. In India, anyone over the age of 18 can change their name as long as it is not for fraudulent or unlawful purposes. If you are a minor (under the age of 18), you will need the consent of your parents or guardians to change your name.

Step 1: Publication of Notice in the Official Gazette

The first step in legally changing your name in India is to publish a notice in the Official Gazette of the Government of India. The Official Gazette is a weekly publication that contains government orders, notices, and other important information.

To publish a notice in the Official Gazette, you will need to fill out Form III of the Third Schedule of the Citizenship Rules, 1956. This form is available on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs. You will need to provide your current name, the name you want to adopt, and the reason for the change.

Once you have filled out the form, you will need to submit it to the Department of Publication in the Ministry of Urban Development along with the following documents:

• Proof of Indian citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or voter ID card)
• An affidavit stating that you are not changing your name for fraudulent or unlawful purposes
• A copy of a newspaper in which you have published the notice of your name change
• The fee for publishing the notice (currently INR 300)

It may take a few weeks for your notice to be published in the Official Gazette.

Step 2: Change Your Name on Government Documents

Once your name has been published in the Official Gazette, the next step is to update your name on government documents such as your passport, voter ID card, and PAN card. To do this, you will need to visit the relevant government agencies and submit the following documents:

• The original copy of the notice of name change published in the Official Gazette
• Proof of identity (such as a passport, voter ID card, or PAN card)
• An affidavit stating that you are not changing your name for fraudulent or unlawful purposes
• Any other documents required by the agency (such as a marriage certificate if you are changing your name after marriage)

It may take a few weeks for your name to be updated on government documents.

Step 3: Change Your Name on Private Documents

In addition to changing your name on government documents, you may also want to update your name on private documents such as your bank accounts, insurance policies, and property deeds. To do this, you will need to visit the relevant organizations and submit the following documents:

• The original copy of the notice of name change published in the Official Gazette
• Proof of identity (such as a passport, voter ID card, or PAN card)
• An affidavit stating that you are not changing your name for fraudulent or unlawful purposes
• Any other documents required by the organization (such as a marriage certificate if you are changing your name after marriage)

It may take a few weeks for your name to be updated on private documents.

Conclusion 

Changing your last name legally in India is a process that can be completed by submitting the necessary documents, such as proof of identity, proof of marriage or relevant court orders, along with a written application to the appropriate government agency. While it may take some time and follow-up, if all of the necessary steps are followed, the name change should be approved. It’s advisable to take help of a legal advisor for any queries as the laws and regulations may vary from state to state. After the name change is approved, you will receive a new document reflecting your new name, which can be used to update your other official documents and accounts.

Written by Ajit Mahaveer