A gazette name change is the strongest legal proof that you have changed your name in India. You swear an affidavit, publish the change in two newspapers and then have it notified in Part IV of the Gazette of India by the Department of Publication in Delhi (or in your state gazette). Banks, the passport office, UIDAI and the income tax department accept it. This guide covers when you need it, the documents, the fee and each step.
Quick answer
Three steps: a notarised name change affidavit, advertisements in two newspapers (one English, one in the local language), and an application to the Department of Publication for notification in Part IV of the Gazette of India.
Fee: a gazette fee commonly reported at about ₹1,100–₹1,500 for an adult (higher for minors), paid online on Bharatkosh, plus newspaper and notary charges. Check the current fee on egazette.gov.in before paying.
Time: usually two to six weeks, depending on how the application is submitted. The published gazette can be downloaded free from egazette.gov.in.
What is a gazette name change?
India has no single law on changing one’s name. In practice, a person adopts a new name by declaring it on affidavit, giving public notice in newspapers and publishing it in an official gazette. The Gazette of India is published by the Department of Publication under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Part IV carries notices by private persons, including name changes. Each state also publishes its own gazette.
When do you need a gazette name change?
- A complete change of first name or surname for personal, religious or other reasons.
- Correcting a name that differs across school, Aadhaar, PAN and passport records.
- A change of surname after divorce, or reverting to a maiden name.
- Government employees changing their name in service records.
- Applying for a passport with a changed name, where the passport office asks for a gazette.
After marriage, a gazette name change is usually not needed: a marriage certificate is enough to change your surname on Aadhaar, PAN and passport. A gazette helps only if records still do not match.
Documents for a gazette name change
- A name change affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper, signed before a notary or magistrate, giving the old name, new name, reason and address.
- Full original pages of two newspapers carrying your name change advertisement.
- The Department of Publication’s application proforma, signed by you and two witnesses.
- Self-attested copy of identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport or voter ID) and passport-size photos.
- A soft copy of the notice text in the format the department asks for.
- The Bharatkosh fee receipt.
- For minors: the birth certificate and the parents’ identity proofs; the parent or guardian signs.
Gazette name change step by step
- Swear the affidavit. Prepare the name change affidavit with your old and new names exactly as you want them recorded, and get it notarised.
- Publish newspaper ads. Publish a short notice in one English daily and one local-language daily circulating where you live. Keep the full original pages.
- Download the proforma. Get the current application format and instructions from the Department of Publication or egazette.gov.in, and have it signed by two witnesses.
- Pay the fee. Pay on Bharatkosh (bharatkosh.gov.in) under the Department of Publication and keep the receipt.
- Submit the application. Send the proforma, affidavit, newspapers, ID copies, photos, soft copy and receipt to the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi, by post or in person, as the current instructions require.
- Download the gazette. Once published, search for your name on egazette.gov.in and download the digitally signed copy. Then update your documents.
Gazette name change fees and timelines
| Item | Usual amount or time |
|---|---|
| Gazette of India fee, adult | Commonly about ₹1,100–₹1,500 (check egazette.gov.in) |
| Gazette of India fee, minor | Higher than for adults (check egazette.gov.in) |
| Two newspaper advertisements | About ₹800–₹5,000, depending on the papers |
| Stamp paper and notary | A few hundred rupees |
| Time to publication | Usually two to six weeks |
| Copy of the published gazette | Free download from egazette.gov.in |
These fees are widely reported and may change; check the Department of Publication’s current instructions before paying.
Central gazette or state gazette?
Most states also publish name changes in the state gazette, sometimes faster and online. A state gazette is generally accepted by offices within that state. For a passport, central government service or use across India and abroad, the Gazette of India is the safer choice.
After your gazette name change: update your documents
- Aadhaar: update the name at an Aadhaar centre or online with the gazette as proof. Aadhaar allows only two name changes in a lifetime.
- PAN: file a PAN card correction with the gazette.
- Passport: apply for re-issue with change in particulars; see our passport application guide.
- Bank, demat, insurance and employer records: submit the gazette with a request letter.
- Educational certificates: boards and universities have their own procedures; many need the gazette plus an affidavit.
- Birth certificate: a voluntary name change is usually noted, not corrected; see our birth certificate correction guide.
Gazette name change for common situations
After marriage
A gazette name change is not compulsory after marriage. A marriage certificate is usually enough to change your surname on Aadhaar, PAN, passport and bank records. Many people still choose a gazette name change when the new name differs from the marriage certificate, or when an employer or foreign embassy asks for it.
Spelling corrections
For a small spelling difference (for example “Mohd” and “Mohammad”), an affidavit is often enough for most offices. A gazette name change is safer when the difference is large, when you need the name in a passport, or when one office refuses the affidavit.
Change of religion or minors
A name change because of a change of religion needs extra documents, usually a religion change affidavit and a certificate from the religious institution. For a minor, a parent or guardian signs the application and affidavit, and the minor fee applies.
Using your gazette name change everywhere
Once the gazette is published, download it free from egazette.gov.in and keep several printed copies. Then update your records in this order, so each office can see the earlier ones already changed: Aadhaar, PAN, bank accounts, passport, voter ID, driving licence, and finally employer, insurance and investment records. Each office may ask for the gazette copy, the newspaper ads and your affidavit together.
Gazette name change checklist
- Name change affidavit on stamp paper, signed and notarised.
- Two newspaper ads (one English, one local language), full original pages.
- Application proforma signed by you and two witnesses, with their details.
- Self-attested ID proof and two passport-size photographs.
- Soft copy of the matter in the format the Department of Publication asks for.
- Bharatkosh fee receipt.
- Any extra document for your case: marriage certificate, divorce decree, religion change certificate, or a parent’s consent for a minor.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Different spellings of the new name in the affidavit, newspapers and application.
- Publishing in only one newspaper, or in papers that do not circulate where you live.
- Sending photocopies of newspapers instead of the full original pages.
- Paying agents who promise a gazette in a few days; the department has no fast-track.
- Changing the name in the gazette but not updating Aadhaar, PAN and bank records.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a gazette name change take?
Usually two to six weeks from when the Department of Publication receives a complete application.
Can I apply for a gazette name change online?
Fees are paid online on Bharatkosh and the gazette is published online, but practice has varied: some applicants now complete the process online, while others are still asked to send the signed application and original documents to Delhi. Follow the current instructions on egazette.gov.in.
Is a gazette name change compulsory after marriage?
No. A marriage certificate is usually enough to change a surname after marriage.
Can parents do a gazette name change for a minor?
Yes. A parent or guardian applies on the minor’s behalf; the fee is higher and the birth certificate is needed.
Is an affidavit alone enough to change my name?
An affidavit plus newspaper ads is accepted by some offices, but many, including passport offices, prefer a gazette name change.
How much does a gazette name change cost?
The gazette fee is commonly reported at about ₹1,100–₹1,500 for an adult, paid on Bharatkosh. Newspaper ads and notary charges are extra. Check egazette.gov.in for the current fee before paying.
Is a gazette name change valid in all states?
Yes. A notification in the Gazette of India is accepted across India. A state gazette notification is also widely accepted, but the central gazette is safer for a passport or use abroad.
Can I change my name more than once through the gazette?
Yes, but each change needs a fresh affidavit, newspaper ads and gazette notification, and offices may question repeated changes. Choose your new name carefully the first time.
Can I use my new name before the gazette name change is published?
You can start using it after the affidavit and newspaper ads, but many offices, including the passport office, will update records only once the gazette notification is published.
Is a state gazette name change enough for a passport?
The passport office generally accepts a state gazette notification, but a Gazette of India notification is accepted everywhere and is safer if you also need the name change abroad.
Where can I get a ready-to-use name change affidavit for the gazette?
Use CIVL’s name change affidavit format. It is written for gazette, Aadhaar, PAN and passport use.
CIVL format
Start with the right affidavit
The affidavit is the base of every gazette name change. Use CIVL’s name change affidavit format, or Ask CIVL if your case is unusual.