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Name Change Online in India - Overview
There could be various reasons for a person's name change. It could be divorce, marriage, numerology, or whatever! However, there are certain legal procedures associated with it and Vakilsearch is the number one legal advisory company to help you through the name change online procedure!
Name Change Procedure in India
Following your decision on a new name, you need take the following actions to formally change your name:
Affidavit for Name Change
The first step is to prepare an affidavit for name change, which will be taken care of by our expert lawyers. The affidavit must have details of your old name, new name, the reason for the name change (marriage, legal, numerological, divorce, correction in existing name, etc.). The affidavit for name change has to be signed by two witnesses and gazetted officer rank along with their stamp.
Placing Advertisement
Newspaper advertisement is a part of the name change procedure. The advertisement goes out in one national or regional newspaper, whichever is suitable. We will place the ad for your name change in the newspaper with all the necessary information.
It’s recommended to retain the copies of the published newspaper for future reference.
Gazette Notification
After submitting an initial name change application, your name will be published in the official national gazette. We will track the publication daily. Once the publication is done, a soft copy of the gazette with the details of the e-publication page will be sent.
Eligibility for Name Change Online Application
Now, who is eligible to change their names or apply for a name change online? Let us see the eligibility for name change application:
- An Indian
- They ought to possess a legitimate government ID
- He or she must have a good reason for the name change
- Incase of name change for minors, they should be accompanied by their parents when visiting a government office.
Who May Apply for a Name Change:
- Either husbands
- Wife
- a relative
- At any point in their lives, anyone can change their name.
Legal Compliance with Name Change Procedure in India
What is the importance of complying with all the legal formalities in a Name Change procedure in India? Let us see the reasons as mentioned below:
Anything that is done legally has a definite value. It is crucial to remember that any change in a person's identification should be done lawfully because technology has been incorporated into so many aspects of our daily lives, especially for identity proof. Our names are listed on a number of documents, including PAN, Aadhaar, bank accounts, transcripts of records, birth certificates, etc., which are used to verify our identities.
Therefore, your identification must be legally validated and changed by the party or officer chosen by the Center/State before making changes to these documents with relation to the name change. People with criminal records can misuse the names of others to save themselves from arrest. So, recording your name in a document is vital to increase transparency and accountability.
Documents Required for Name Change Online
- An affidavit on a stamp paper
- The original newspaper with the name change advertisement
- The prescribed proforma in printed format, duly signed by the applicant and two witnesses
- Two passport-size photographs
- Photocopies of valid ID proof ( PAN card, Aadhaar card, or passport)
- A CD with a soft copy of the application in .docx format duly filled
- A letter stating that the content in the hard and soft copy of the application is true
- A request letter along with the registration fee to the authority.
Sample Name Change Affidavit
A name change affidavit contains details on the new legal names, their present legal name, the cause for the name change, and a statement confirming that the change is not being done for malicious or illegal purposes. Here is a sample of a name change affidavit for your reference.
Types of Name Change Affidavit
Affidavits for name changes must be published in newspapers and the Indian Gazette. Your former name or maiden name, your new name, your current residence, your age, and the cause for the name change must all be entered on this affidavit form. Here are some of the Name change affidavits that are widely used:
Affidavit for Change of Name After Marriage
If you want to alter your name after marriage, use this affidavit. A completed application must be provided along with a copy of the marriage license and pictures of the applicant and their spouse.
Affidavit for Change of Name On the Passport
The affidavit is used when a person needs to change their name on a passport because of a typo or when they get married and change their last name. The steps are the same as for a name change.
Affidavit for Change of Name for Minors
This affidavit needs to be filled every time a minor changes their name. The affidavit must be presented by the parents or guardians. The other steps don't change.
Reasons For Name Change in India
There are several reasons why people in India may choose to change their name legally. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Marriage: Women often change their surname after marriage to adopt their spouse's surname
- Divorce: After a divorce, some people may choose to change their name to distance themselves from their former spouse
- Adoption: Adopted children may change their name to reflect their new family name
- Religious Conversion: People may change their name after converting to a different religion
- Personal Reasons: Some people may simply prefer a different name and wish to change it legally.
Benefits of Name Change
There are several benefits to changing one's name legally in India, such as:
- Identity: A name change can help to establish a new identity or to reflect one's true identity
- Professional Advancement: A name change can also be useful for professional advancement or to create a more distinctive and memorable brand
- Legal Recognition: A legally changed name is recognized by the government and can be used on official documents such as passports, driving licenses
- Personal Satisfaction: A name change can provide a sense of personal satisfaction and empowerment.
Rules Involved In Legal Name Changing
In India, legal name changing requires certain rules to be followed. The rules are as follows:
- Submitting an Affidavit: A person seeking to change their name must submit an affidavit in the prescribed format to a judicial magistrate or a notary public
- Newspaper Publication: After the affidavit is submitted, it needs to be published in at least two local newspapers (one in the local language and one in English) and a copy of the publication needs to be submitted to the government gazette
- Government Gazette Publication: After publishing in newspapers, the affidavit will be published in the government gazette
- Applying for new documents: Once the name is changed legally, a person must apply for new documents such as passport, driving license, Aadhar card, etc.
Affidavit Format for Name Change
[Name of Affiant]
[Address of Affiant]
[City, State Zip Code]
[Date]
AFFIDAVIT OF NAME CHANGE
I, [Name of Affiant], solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury that:
- I am over the age of eighteen (18) and am competent to make this affidavit
- My current legal name is [Current Legal Name], which is reflected on all of my legal documents, including my birth certificate, passport, driver's license, and social security card
- I desire to change my legal name to [New Legal Name]
- The reason for my name change is [Reason for Name Change]
- I have been commonly known as [New Legal Name] for [Length of Time] years
- I am not changing my name for any fraudulent purpose and am not seeking to avoid any debts, legal obligations, or responsibilities by changing my name
- I request that my new legal name, [New Legal Name], be recognised by all government agencies, financial institutions, and other organisations.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
[Signature of Affiant]
[Printed Name of Affiant]
Why Vakilsearch?
At Vakilsearch, our team of experts take the burden of the complicated procedure off you when you change your name in India.
- We draft the name change affidavit
- We ensure that the newspaper publication is done
- We inform you when the gazette notification is published
- The name change procedure is 100% online
- Our experts guide you throughout the name change procedure
- Our support team will answer all your queries.
The Name Change Glossary
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written statement of fact voluntarily made by a person.
National Gazette
A national gazette is a public journal and an authorised legal document of the Government of India that prints official notices from the government.
Gazetted Officers
Gazetted officers are executive/managerial level ranked public servants in India who are authorised to issue official stamps.