Changing original birth name is very common and a wide glimpse in India. Whatever the reason be, the procedure under the law is the same. The only probable condition for eligibility to change name is that the applicant must be 18 years and above to change their own name.

When To Use Affidavit For Change Of Name?

Reasons for changing name can be many such as personal preference, marriage (women), change of religion, modification or alteration of name due to numerological advice etc. Change of name can also mean addition of a word to the existing name, modification of spelling, change of surname etc. Before you conclude on getting a name change, weigh all pros and cons of doing so.

This affidavit should be used if you are changing your original name to a new name and have discarded the old name. If you need to make an affidavit to state that you have used variations of the same name, or known by two names, please use One and the Same Name Affidavit.

How To Create An Affidavit For Change of Name?

The name change is more or less a three step process that can be finished in little time if followed judiciously. The primary and most important step in the process is the preparation of the affidavit.

Firstly, you need to make an affidavit and swear before a Notary or a Magistrate. Use the simple navigation form and complete the affidavit in less than two minutes on our website. All you have to do is fill in your details like previous/maiden name, reason for change of name, address, age, etc.

You will need to print this on a non-judicial stamp paper of stipulated value.

How To Make It Legally Enforceable And Valid?

Since it may be difficult to get an appointment from a magistrate, you can approach a Notary signature, which is equally valid.

Print the content on a stamp paper of the required value (the Notary will advise you) and get it sealed by a Notary.

Central Govt. employees can submit deed for change of name in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs OM No. 190016/1/87-Estt, dated 12.03.1987 (Deed should be typed on plain paper signed by two witness of the rank of Gazetted officer of the same Department with Rubber stamp ).

In case of Indian living abroad he/she shall submit deed duly attested by the respective Indian Embassy / Indian High Commission.

This is the most crucial phase in the process of changing name. Once the affidavit has been notarized, your job is nearly done.

Publication in Newspapers

After the affidavit is notarized, the next step requires you to immediately publish the change of name in two local newspapers.

• One classified should be in a daily publishing news in local official language of the State.
• The second classified should be published in a local English Newspaper.

You can contact the newspaper office directly in this regard. They generally have an exclusive section dedicated to name change advertisements and can advise you on the format.

Eg: I, Suresh Kumar, S/O Ganesh Bhat born 15/08/1987, residing at 468, C.M.H Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru – 560 038, have changed name as Suresh Kumar Bhat vide affidavit dated 11/12/2014 before Notary Manjula Gurumurthy.

Tip: Since most of the newspaper houses have multi lingual publications in the same State, ask for a package (for classifieds in English & State language) that will help you save money and time.

Publication In The State Gazette

In some States you can get the name change published in the official State gazette.This is not a statutory requirement in some States. For example, In Karnataka, the gazette publication for name change is only applicable to State govt. employees.

You can approach the controller of publication, Govt. press in your State and get details on the procedure. You may be required to produce some vital documents along with the original affidavit to have your the details published in the next gazette issue. Central govt. employees can get in touch with their departmental HR contact for further guidance.

• Speak to them on the phone line to ascertain the documents required. You can also consider visiting them.
• Generally, you will need to provide a copy of the affidavit, copies of newspaper classifieds published, address and id proofs, passport photographs & the applicable fee.
• As per the timelines, you will be notified about the name change publication in the gazette along with a copy of the gazette for reference.

Gazette Publication is mandatory for government employees and optional for others. However, if you need to update your records in banks, brokerages and govt records, they might ask you for a copy of Gazette.

Tips

Apply for name change with various banking institutions, govt. agencies (like voters id, PAN card, passport) for change of name. You may be required to fill a separate dedicated form  along with producing the affidavit, newspaper copies supporting name change. The sooner you update your name with these sources, its better for your future.