For whatever reason, sometimes the need arises for a person to change his or her name. In India this is possible, but the process requires several steps including publication in a local newspaper.
Begin by determining the First Class Magistrate's office that has jurisdiction where you live and filing an application there. They will attest to your affidavit. Alternatively, you can have your affidavit attested by a notary or oath commissioner. Indians living abroad must go through this process through the Indian embassy or the Indian High Commission.
On a blank sheet of paper, type out details including your current name, the new name you wish to use, your father's or husband's name and address, and finally your employer's name. Sign this in the presence of two witnesses, who also must sign the document, called a proforma.
Now advertise in a daily local newspaper. You must include your intention to change your name as well as your father's or husband's name or address. Keep an original of this advertisement after it is published.
The attested affidavit, proforma, original advertisement and two passport photographs must be taken or sent to the Gazette of India Part IV at Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-54. The documents may not be more than one year old. Fees are Rs. 700 for publication of name change only and Rs. 900 for public notice. Advertising change of name for those living abroad is Rs. 2300, which includes air mail charges. Acquire copies of the gazette where your name change is published and use them as proof of your name change when necessary.
Extra consideration is required with passports. If you carry a passport with a name that no longer is your legal name, you still must submit newspaper advertisements.
Newspaper advertisements are needed for a change of your name as it appears on your passport, so they are required even though the "old” name that appears on other legal documents has been changed.
Please note that if the applicant carries a passport with a name which is not considered as the applicant's "real" name, the applicant would still be required to submit newspaper advertisements. Newspaper advertisements are required for a change of name as it appears in the passport and it is required even though the previously held name, which appears on other legal documents, is being changed.
Begin by determining the First Class Magistrate's office that has jurisdiction where you live and filing an application there. They will attest to your affidavit. Alternatively, you can have your affidavit attested by a notary or oath commissioner. Indians living abroad must go through this process through the Indian embassy or the Indian High Commission.
On a blank sheet of paper, type out details including your current name, the new name you wish to use, your father's or husband's name and address, and finally your employer's name. Sign this in the presence of two witnesses, who also must sign the document, called a proforma.
Now advertise in a daily local newspaper. You must include your intention to change your name as well as your father's or husband's name or address. Keep an original of this advertisement after it is published.
The attested affidavit, proforma, original advertisement and two passport photographs must be taken or sent to the Gazette of India Part IV at Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-54. The documents may not be more than one year old. Fees are Rs. 700 for publication of name change only and Rs. 900 for public notice. Advertising change of name for those living abroad is Rs. 2300, which includes air mail charges. Acquire copies of the gazette where your name change is published and use them as proof of your name change when necessary.
Extra consideration is required with passports. If you carry a passport with a name that no longer is your legal name, you still must submit newspaper advertisements.
Newspaper advertisements are needed for a change of your name as it appears on your passport, so they are required even though the "old” name that appears on other legal documents has been changed.
Please note that if the applicant carries a passport with a name which is not considered as the applicant's "real" name, the applicant would still be required to submit newspaper advertisements. Newspaper advertisements are required for a change of name as it appears in the passport and it is required even though the previously held name, which appears on other legal documents, is being changed.
