{"id":809,"date":"2026-08-06T14:25:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taxaj.com/learn\/name-change-procedure\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T11:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T05:40:23","slug":"name-change-procedure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taxaj.com/learn\/name-change-procedure\/","title":{"rendered":"Name Change Procedure in India \u2014 Affidavit, Newspaper & Gazette"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legally changing your name<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Step 1 \u2014 Affidavit<\/h2>\n

Prepare a name-change affidavit<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Step 2 \u2014 Newspaper publication<\/h2>\n

Publish a name-change advertisement<\/strong> in at least two newspapers \u2014 one English and one in the regional\/local language \u2014 announcing that you have changed your name from the old to the new. Keep the original newspaper cuttings; they are proof of public notice.<\/p>\n

Step 3 \u2014 Gazette notification<\/h2>\n

Apply for publication of the name change in the Official Gazette<\/strong> (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<\/strong> of the name change and is accepted by banks, passport, PAN and other authorities.<\/p>\n

Documents typically required<\/h2>\n