It is a customary thing for a woman in India to change her Last Name (surname) to her husband’s surname after she gets married to him. Therefore, it is a very common procedure. You can also change your First Name if you wish to. You just need to follow the below steps to complete that procedure.

Steps of How To Legally Change Your Name In India

How To Legally Change Your Name In India

Step 1 – Make an Affidavit

You have to make an affidavit regarding the change in your name from your local notary. You have to specify the reason for doing so. The reason might be marriage, related to astrology or any numerological reasons or anything else.

You have the option to change your last name or your first name or your entire name. You need to mention that in your affidavit clearly.

Step 2 – Newspaper Announcement

Announce on the newspaper that you have changed your old name to your new name (mention your old and new names categorically). Put in your signature and fill in all your information that is needed correctly and publish it in the local newspaper.

You can choose to publish it on 2 newspapers (no need to publish it on the front page). You should preserve a copy of this edition because you might need it in future. It is better if you store a hard copy as well as the soft copy.

Step 3 – Gazette Notification

To get your name published in the Official Gazette of your respective state, you need to follow the below steps:

  1. You have to visit the local Government Press or the local Government department which mobilizes the Gazette notification.
  2. You should get 2 copies of ‘Deed Changing Surname Form’. Fill this form according to the instructions given very carefully.
  3. It will be a good thing if you could get the contact of the person of the department who will be handling your application for your Gazette Notification.

Verification

For this verification process, you have to submit the documents given below to the Secretary, Department of Commerce & Transport (Commerce), Name of Your State.

  1. A letter to the Secretary, to request him/her to allow you to change your name.
  2. Your ‘Deed Changing Surname Form’.
  3. 2 copies of your name change statement that you published in the newspaper.
  4. An Attested copy of your Name Change Affidavit.
  5. A print out of your statement on a plain paper which you will need to publish in your official Gazette. (It can be same as your Newspaper Statement).
  6. Lastly, a copy of your proof of identity like a driving license, PAN card, Aadhaar card, etc.

Remember:

  • You should put all these documents in an A4 size envelope and send it to the address of Secretary as mentioned above.
  • Make sure to get a copy of everything for your future reference.
  • You should get a reply letter from the Secretary in a week’s time after the due verification.
  • Get a copy of this letter (keep it with you for future) and visit the government department again which mobilizes the Gazette Notification and follow the steps as given below:
  1. Give them this reply letter so that they could match it with the order that they received from the Secretariat of your state.
  2. Pay the required amount for the publication. The amount depends on the type of publication you’re going with.
  • Once the official Gazette publishes your statement, the process of your name change is completed successfully. You have now made your new name official.

For further queries or suggestions, please leave a comment below.

Share post with: