Online Name Change Service - Easy Process, Legal Guidance, Documents & Application

Printing the name change affidavit on the e-stamp paper is the next step after having it in your possession. The following details should be included in the affidavit:

1. The applicant's complete legal name at present and their new name (also known as the deponent).
2. If a woman is married, her father's name or her husband's name should be listed.
3. Address of the deponent's home.
4. A declaration stating that the facts in the affidavit are true and accurate.
5. The deponent's signature is present.

The affidavit needs to be attested by a Judicial Magistrate, Notary Public, or Oaths Commissioner in order for it to be considered legally binding. If the applicant lives overseas, they must give the affidavit to the appropriate body after having it properly attested by the Indian High Commission or Indian Embassy. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a name change deed must be submitted by the applicant if they are a government worker.

Placing of an Advertisement

The next step is to publish a newspaper ad to make known the name change following the creation and certification of the affidavit. It is required that this advertisement appear in a local or national publication. The advertisement should include information such the previous and new names, residence addresses, the name of the attesting authority, the date and location of the affidavit's execution, and the attesting authority's contact information. It's important to save copies of the publications where the advertisement appeared for future use.

Notifying the Gazette of India

Having your new name formally published in the Gazette of India is the last step in the legal name change procedure. You must accomplish this by submitting the required paperwork to the Controller of Publications at the Department of Publication at Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, along with the printing fees and a letter of request. 

You can personally deliver these documents to the Department of Publication or send them by mail, courier, or other means. The materials will be reviewed by a department representative before being sent to the Government of India Press for publishing. The time it takes for the name change advertisement to appear in the Gazette Publication is typically between one and two months.

You can view an electronic version of The Gazette Of India's Digital Directory, which includes the name change notification. The authorities will also mail you a hard copy of the name change notice published in the Official Gazette. Depending on whether you choose a public notice, the price for the Gazette notification might range from Rs. 700 to Rs. 900. Demand draft or cash are both acceptable forms of payment.

Eligibility for Legal Name Change in India

Given below are the eligibility criteria you will need to fulfil to get your name changed legally:

1. You must be a citizen of India and aged 18 years and above.
2. You must possess a legal Government ID.
3. In case of a name change of a minor, the application can be put forward by the parents/guardian.
4. There should be a valid reason behind the change in your name

Below are the following people who can get their name altered:

1. Wife
2. Husband
3. Relatives
4. An individual can get their name changed at any point in their lives

Documents Needed for Name Change Process

Given below are the documents you will need to submit in order to get your name changed legally:

1. An affidavit signed with a stamp.
2. The initial edition of the newspaper where the name-change ad appeared.
3. The applicant's signature and the signatures of two witnesses are on the prescribed proforma in printed form.
4. Two photos the size of a passport.
5. Copies of a valid ID document, such as a passport, Aadhaar card, or PAN card.
6. A CD containing a fully finished, digital copy of the application in.docx format.
7. A letter attesting to the truthfulness of the information in the application's physical copy and electronic version.
8. A letter of request to the appropriate authority, together with the mandatory registration money.

Reasons for Changing Your Name

Given below are the reasons applicable for name change legally: 

1. Women after getting married or divorced.
2. Conversion of religion.
3. Adoption of a child.
4. Change in surname.
5. Change in name according to astrology or numerology.
6. If you don’t like your current name.
7. Gender change.
8. Change in identity.

What Are the Benefits of Legally Changing Your Name?

Some of the benefits of getting your name changed legally are given below:

1. Identity Transformation: Changing one's name might help a person acquire a new identity or become more aligned with their actual selves.

1. Career Enhancement: A name change can also be a strategic move for career progression, creating a more unique and memorable brand.
2. Legal Validity: A name changed legally holds official recognition by the government, making it acceptable on documents like passports and driver's licenses.
3. Personal Fulfillment: A name change can bring a deep sense of personal contentment and empowerment.

Which is a Name Change Application Likely to Be Rejected

However, there are certain conditions under which name change won’t be acceptable:

1. Unless you can demonstrate that you have no intention of deceiving the public, names of notable people.
2. Names that are vulgar or hurtful.
3. Complex names requiring punctuation.

Legal Compliance for Changing Your Name in India

Legally correct acts are very important. In an age where technology is integral to many areas of our everyday lives, especially in identity verification, it is crucial to understand that any change to an individual's identification must comply with the law. Numerous documents, including PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, bank records, academic transcripts, and birth certificates, bear our names and are essential tools for establishing our identification.

Because of this, it is essential that any modifications to these documents, especially name changes, go via the established legal procedure handled by the pertinent federal or state authorities. This strict method is required because people with criminal histories may try to use other people's identities to avoid capture. The promotion of openness and accountability therefore depends on maintaining correct and legally sound records of one's name in official documents.

Name Change Affidavit Types

The types of names change affidavits are given below:

1. Affidavit for Changing Name After Marriage: If you wish to modify your name after marriage you may use this document. You must submit a filled-out application, a copy of the marriage licence, and pictures of the applicant and their spouse to start this process.
2. Affidavit for Passport Name Change: This affidavit is used to change a person's name on a passport, whether it's due to a typo or a name change after marriage. The procedures are the same as for generic name changes.

1. Affidavit for Minor Name Change: This document is necessary when a minor's name changes. The rest of the processes follow the regular name change procedure and must be performed by the parents or guardians.