Legal Name Change in India: Complete Gazette Notification Step-by-Step Guide
By Shivam Tiwari, Founder of FormSutra · Updated: September 2026 · 9 min read
The mandatory 3-step statutory pipeline: Notarized Affidavit, Two Newspaper Publications, and Official Gazette of India notification via Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi.
Whether changing your name after marriage, dropping an astrology prefix, altering religion, or fixing a serious spelling discrepancy across educational degrees, an Official Gazette Notification published in The Gazette of India (Part IV) is the supreme statutory proof accepted by Passport Offices, Banks, UIDAI, and Central/State Governments.
Quick facts
| Competent Authority | Department of Publication, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
|---|---|
| Location of Directorate | Civil Lines, Behind Old Secretariat, Delhi - 110054 |
| Statutory 3 Steps | Affidavit -> Newspaper Ads -> Gazette Publication |
| Payment Channel | Non-Tax Receipt Portal (Bharatkosh.gov.in) |
| Processing Duration | 30 to 45 days |
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Execute a Statutory Affidavit of Name Change
Draft an Affidavit of Name Change on ₹10 to ₹100 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper. Clearly state your current old name, father's/husband's name, residential address, your proposed new name, and explicit declaration that you have completely abandoned the old name for all future civic, legal, and educational transactions. Get it signed and sealed by an Oath Commissioner or Notary Public.
Step 2: Publish Name Change Notice in Two Daily Newspapers
Publish a concise legal notice in two prominent daily newspapers circulating in your home district: one in an English daily (e.g., Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express) and one in the regional/vernacular state daily (e.g., Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Loksatta, Daily Thanthi). Preserve at least 3 original full-page newspapers (not just newspaper clippings).
Step 3: Prepare the Official Proforma and Compact Disc (CD)
Download and fill the official Name Change Proforma prescribed by the Controller of Publications. As per official rules, the identical matter must be saved in MS Word format onto a Compact Disc (CD). The applicant must sign both the printed proforma and the CD jacket.
Step 4: Pay Government Publication Fees on Bharatkosh
Visit the central Non-Tax Receipt Portal (bharatkosh.gov.in). Under Ministry 'Housing & Urban Affairs', select 'Controller of Publications' and pay the statutory fee (₹1,100 for civilian adult name change, ₹1,400 for public/abroad notifications). Print the Bharatkosh Transaction Receipt.
Step 5: Dispatch Dossier to Controller of Publications, Delhi
Compile the dossier: Original Notarized Affidavit, 2 original full-page newspapers, CD with MS Word draft, signed Proforma, Bharatkosh fee receipt, 2 passport photos, and self-attested Aadhaar/Voter ID. Submit in person or send via Speed Post to: 'The Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi - 110054'.
Step 6: Download Gazette Part IV Notification
The Department publishes weekly e-Gazettes every Saturday on egazette.gov.in. Under 'Weekly Gazette' -> 'Part IV (Advertisements and Notices by Private Individuals)', search by your name or publication date to download the official gazette copy.
Documents checklist (आवश्यक दस्तावेज)
- Original Notarized Name Change Affidavit (on Non-Judicial Stamp Paper)
- Two Original Full-Page Daily Newspapers (one English, one Vernacular daily)
- Duly filled and signed Official Name Change Proforma (countersigned by 2 witnesses)
- Compact Disc (CD) containing the exact proforma in MS Word (.docx) format
- Bharatkosh Online Fee Payment Challan / Receipt
- Two recent passport-sized color photographs cross-signed by applicant
- Self-attested Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport)
- If changing name of minor: Declaration signed by both parents
Stamp paper rules
The affidavit must be drafted on a ₹10, ₹20, or ₹100 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper (depending on state regulations) and attested with red notary seal and advocate signature.
Official portals
- Department of Publication Official Portal
- The Gazette of India (e-Gazette Repository)
- Bharatkosh Government Payment Portal
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending cut clippings instead of full newspaper page: The Department summarily rejects paper cuttings. You must send the complete original newspaper page showing date and title.
- Mismatched text between CD and printed form: Even a comma difference between the Word file on the CD and the hard copy proforma leads to rejection.
- Missing Bharatkosh receipt: Demand drafts are increasingly phased out; always attach the official Bharatkosh electronic challan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gazette notification necessary for updating name in Passport?
If there is a major name change (complete change of first name or adding a completely new surname not present in parents' records), the Regional Passport Office (RPO) mandatorily insists on the Gazette Notification and two newspaper advertisements under Passport Rules.
Does the government send a hard copy of the Gazette to my home address?
No. Since October 2015, physical printing of the Gazette of India has been discontinued as per the Digital India initiative. All gazettes are published electronically as legal public documents on egazette.gov.in, which is fully valid under Section 8 of the Information Technology Act 2000.