Name Change Procedure in India — Affidavit, Newspaper & Gazette
Legally changing your name in India follows a well-defined three-step procedure: swear an affidavit, publish a newspaper notice, and notify it in the Official Gazette. This guide walks through the standard process for an individual name change and the documents you’ll need.
Step 1 — Affidavit
Prepare a name-change affidavit on stamp paper stating your old name, new name, reason for the change, and your address, and get it attested by a Notary/Executive Magistrate. Two witnesses are usually required. This is the foundational document for the later steps.
Step 2 — Newspaper publication
Publish a name-change advertisement in at least two newspapers — one English and one in the regional/local language — announcing that you have changed your name from the old to the new. Keep the original newspaper cuttings; they are proof of public notice.
Step 3 — Gazette notification
Apply for publication of the name change in the Official Gazette (state Gazette, or the Gazette of India for central government employees) with the affidavit, newspaper cuttings, a prescribed form and ID/address proof. Once published, the Gazette notification is the strongest legal proof of the name change and is accepted by banks, passport, PAN and other authorities.
Documents typically required
- Name-change affidavit (notarised).
- Newspaper publication cuttings (two papers).
- Prescribed Gazette application form and declaration.
- Identity & address proof (Aadhaar, PAN) and passport-size photographs.
After the change — update your records
Once gazetted, update your name on Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, educational records and employer records so everything is consistent. (Note: changing a company name is a different, MCA-driven process — see our company name change guide.)
Frequently asked questions
What are the steps to legally change your name in India?
Three steps: an affidavit, a newspaper publication, and a Gazette notification.
Is Gazette publication mandatory for a name change?
It is the strongest proof and is required by many authorities; while the affidavit + newspaper steps establish the change, the Gazette notification makes it robust and widely accepted.
How is an individual name change different from a company name change?
An individual change uses affidavit + newspaper + Gazette; a company name change is done through the MCA via a special resolution and Forms MGT-14/INC-24.
Need help with a name change? TAXAJ assists with affidavits, publication and Gazette applications, and company name changes. Get name-change help from TAXAJ →
Related guides: Individual name change · Company name change · Company name change letter format
