Gazette Notification For Name Change: A Complete Guide

In India, a Gazette Notification is an official publication used to communicate important legal and public information. Issued by the Department of Publication under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Gazette carries notifications related to legal name changes, government appointments, public notices, constitutional amendments, and other statutory matters. It serves as a legal record that can be cited in courts and administrative processes.

Whether you’re planning a name change, correcting a document, or legalizing a change in identity, understanding the Gazette Notification process is vital. Here is everything you need to know about Gazette Notifications Procedure in India, purposes, procedures, documents required, and how to apply both online and offline. So let’s begin.

What Is A Gazette Notification?

A Gazette Notification is an official public document published by the government to formally announce legal changes or government decisions. In the context of a name change, it is the final and legal confirmation that your new name is recognized by the Government gazette of India.

Why Is Gazette Notification Important For Name Change?

Gazette notification acts as the official stamp of approval from the government that declares and accepts your name change. The following are the major reasons that make the gazette notification procedure important:-

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Legal validation

The Gazette is the public journal of the government that acts as the legal proof. Once your name change is published, it becomes a permanent and legally acceptable record across the country for all government and private institutions.

Document Updation

The gazette notification is required to update your name on any official document across the country. This notification is universally accepted proof for a name change and simplifies the whole process.

Public transparency

One of the primary roles of the gazette notification procedure is to maintain public transparency in the process of name change.

Avoiding Identity theft issues

Gazette notification procedure prevents fraud, misinterpretation and identity theft by keeping a record of the latest update.

Who Needs To Publish A Name Change In The Gazette?

The Gazette notification procedure is required by anyone who wants to change or alter their name legally. This procedure can be mandatory for the following:-

Adults: Citizens of India who officially want to change their name or surname for any valid reason must apply for the gazette notification procedure. This name change procedure can be done on documents like a passport, Aadhar card, voter ID, driver’s licence, education certificate, etc.
Minors: Parents who want to change their children’s names can apply for a name change.
Government Employees: Central and State Government employees who need to update or change their names need to publish a name change in gazette notification.
NRIs: For NRIs living outside the country, the name change process requires the gazette online notification procedure as well.

Types Of Gazette – Central Gazette Vs State Gazette

Gazette notification procedure is offered by both the state and Central Government for the citizens of India. The following are the main features of the two gazettes:-

Features	Central Gazette	State Gazette
Authority: Maintaining and publishing the Gazette	Government of India (Department of Publication)	The state government individually
Content	Laws and policies of the Central Government. Appointments at the National level. Important notices and publications for India.	Laws and policies of the state government. State-specific notices for the citizens of the state. Local appointments and issues, including state driving licence, local property records, local property records etc.
Application for name change	Used for name change in National documents like a passport, Aadhar card, birth certificate, PAN, etc. Used by Central Government employees.	Used for state-level documents and local recognition by the public. Used by State Government employees.
Jurisdiction	National level	State level

Eligibility Criteria For Gazette Name Change

Anyone can apply for a Gazette Notification in India, subject to the following conditions:

Indian citizenship is mandatory.
The reason for notification must be legal.
For minors, parents or guardians must apply on their behalf.
In case of a name change after marriage or divorce, proper proof must be provided.

Documents Required For Name Change

To apply for a Gazette Notification, the following documents are typically required:-

Affidavit (Notarized)
Newspaper Advertisement
ID Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport)
Photographs (passport size)
Request Letter
Name Change Application Form (duly signed)
Soft Copy of Matter (for Gazette)
Demand Draft/Online Payment Receipt

Step-By-Step Process For Gazette Notification For Name Change In India

Offline Gazette Process

The following are the officially accepted and legally required step-by-step process for Gazette Name Change:-

Affidavit

The first step of the gazette notification procedure is preparing an affidavit mentioning the reason and intent of changing your name.
Draft the affidavit with a non-judicial stamp paper (Rs 10 or 20) and get it notarised. It must contain your old name, new name and the reason for the name change.

Newspaper Publication

Published advertisement of your name change in any two newspapers ( one English, one in any regional language).
Keep the copies for the newspaper advertisement for further use.

Document preparation

Compile all the documents, including the affidavit, newspaper clippings and your photographs for submission to the Department of Publication.
You will also have to attach a soft copy of the documents in a MS Word document only.
The hard copy and soft copy must be identical in every respect.

Note: The fees for the gazette publication are to be paid in the form of a demand draft in favour of ‘Controller of Publications’.

Submission

You can either visit the office for submission of the documents, or you can send the complete set of documents by post or courier.

Gazette notification

After the processing time, which is around 15 days to 2 months, the name change advertisement will appear in Part IV of the gazette office. After it is published, you can download a copy from the official E-gazette portal.

Gazette Notification Online Name Change Process

Many people opt for the online process as it is more convenient. Here is a step-by-step guide:-

Step 1- Visit the Official Website: Go to the official gazette notification website: www.egazette.nic.in

Step 2- Login or Register: If you are an old applicant, log in to your account. If you are a new applicant, register yourself in the portal and save the registration number and password for further steps.

Step 3- Fill Application Form: Fill the online application form very carefully and look for the option of name change.

Step 4- Upload Required Documents: Upload all the scanned original documents, including newspaper ads and the affidavit, carefully.

Step 5- Make Online Payment: Pay the required fees online through the portal.

Step 6- Submit and Track Application: Apply and keep track of the application on the portal.

Step 7- Gazette Publication: After the processing time, your request will be approved, and the name change will be published in the gazette.

Gazette Notification Procedure For Minors

Following is the step-by-step process for the gazette notification procedure for a name change online notification for minors:

Step 1- Prepare Affidavit for Minor: Prepare an affidavit for a minor and add the old name, the new name, the parent’s name and the reason for the name change.

Step 2- Publish Newspaper Advertisement: Get the advertisement for this name change published in any two local newspapers (one English, one in any regional language). Save these newspaper notifications.

Step 3- Compile Required Documents: Compile all the documents, including the affidavit, newspaper clippings, the minor’s birth certificate and the parents’ ID. A soft copy containing the documents with a declaration certificate is also required.

Step 4- Submit Application: Submit the whole set of documents and application in person or by courier.

Step 5- Gazette Publication & Download: After the processing time, the name change will be published in Part IV of the Gazette. Download the E-gazette copy from the official portal and take a printout.

Gazette Notification Procedure For NRIs

Following is the step-by-step process for the gazette notification procedure for a name change notification for NRIs:-

Prepare Affidavit for Name Change: Prepare the affidavit for name change. It must be attested by the Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission of the country where you live.
Publish Newspaper Advertisements: Publish the name change advertisement in any two newspapers. One of them must be in the country you are living in, and the other in India. The advertisement must have your old name, new name and Indian address.
Gather All Documents: Compile all the documents, including the affidavit, newspaper notifications, and passport, along with a soft copy of the documents.
Submit by Courier: Submit the documents by registered or International courier to the office of the Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, Delhi.
Gazette Publication & Download: After the processing period, your name will be published in part IV of the Gazette of India. Download the official Gazette copy from the official portal.

Format Of Affidavit For Gazette Name Change

Following is the format for the affidavit to be notarised in he gazette notification procedure that has to be followed precisely:-

I, ( old name ) S/o or D/o (Father’s Name), age (X) years, resident of (Address), do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:-

That l am presently a Citizen of India.
That my name, as per the record, is (Old Name)
That I have changed my name to (New Name) on ( date of Change of Name)
I am getting a public notice published to this effect in the newspaper.
I state that ( Old Name) and (New Name) are the names of the same person, and that is myself.

I am executing this declaration to be submitted to the concerned authorities for the change of name.

I hereby state that whatever is stated above is true to the best of my knowledge. Solemnly affirmed at (address of affidavit) on (Date)

(Signature)
(Name)

VERIFICATION:
Verified on this (Date) that the contents of the affidavit are true and correct, nothing material, nothing material has been concealed, and no part of it is false.

(signature)
(Name)

Sample Gazette Name Change Advertisement Format

A sample of Change of Name Advertisements in the newspaper has to be in the following precise format:

It is for general information that I (Old Name) S/o or D/o (Father’s Name) Age (x)Years, residing at (Address), declare that I ( reason) vide (Affidavit Number) dated (date). Further, I have changed my name and shall hereafter be known as ( new name).

It is certified that I have complied with other legal requirements in this connection.

(Name)

( Signature)

Fees For Gazette Notification Procedure

The Gazette name change cost procedure can vary according to many dynamic factors. The following is an important breakdown to understand it:-

Fee Component	Category	Expense
Affidavit	Stamp paper cost.	Rs 10-20
Newspaper Advertisement	One English newspaperOne regional language newspaper.	Rs 1000- 3000
Gazette Notification	For adults Minors Minor name change after divorce After divorce	Rs 1100 ( standard fees)Rs 1700Rs 3350 Rs 2750

Note: These fees have to be paid via Indian Postal Order or a demand draft addressed to the Controller of Publication

How Long Does Gazette Notification Take?

Your gazette notification procedure for name change can take up to 25 to 45 working days for completion. Delays can occur due to the following possible reasons:-

Incomplete or incorrect submissions of the document
Public holidays
Procedural workload or backlogs
Technical issues with the CD

It is advised to the applicants that they keep a track of their application if there is no update visible online after 30 working days.

How To Get A Copy Of The Gazette Change Name Legally?

After the completion of the gazette notification procedure, getting a copy is important, and the following are the steps for that:-

Visit the official website: https://egazette.nic.in. Log in with your ID and password.
Click on a weekly gazette option on the dashboard.
Search and select the relevant publication date for your notification.
Look up your new name and search for your entry. You might also use your former name to search.
Download the notification and take a printout.

Conclusion

A Gazette Notification is a vital legal tool that formalizes changes in your personal or organizational identity. From name changes to gender identity updates, it ensures your new details are legally valid and recognized across all government and private records. By following the correct procedures and submitting the required documents, you can smoothly complete the Gazette Notification procedure.

Read More:-

Name Change in Aadhaar Card

Name Change After Marriage in India

Facing Issues Due to Name Mismatch in 10th or 12th Certificates?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Gazette Notification mandatory for a name change?

Yes, it is mandatory for legal name change recognition and for updating government documents.

How long does it take to publish in the Gazette?

Typically 15 to 45 days, depending on workload and mode of application.

Can I apply for Gazette Notification online?

Yes, you can apply online via https://egazette.nic.in.

Can minors apply for Gazette Notification?

Yes, but the application must be made by a parent or legal guardian.

Is it compulsory to publish a newspaper advertisement?

Yes, publishing in two newspapers (one regional and one English) is a standard requirement.

What if there is a mistake in the Gazette?

You will need to reapply with a correction affidavit and supporting documents.