Nationwide guide
How to Change Your Name in India: Step-by-Step Guide
Short Answer
To change your name legally in India: (1) Execute a notarised affidavit on stamp paper. (2) Publish a Gazette notification via the official portal egazette.gov.in (prescribed fee is ₹1,100 for adult name change; source: Department of Publication, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs). It appears in the weekly Part IV Gazette issued every Saturday, typically taking 15–30 working days from verification. (3) Place newspaper ads if your bank or employer requires them. Then update Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence and other IDs using the Gazette and updated documents. Marriage is an exception — a marriage certificate is usually accepted without a Gazette.
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Name Change Guides
Each guide covers documents, steps, fees and links to official portals.
Gazette Notification
Publish an official name change in the Government Gazette. Required for most ID updates. Fee: ₹1,100. Usually takes 15–30 working days.
Open guide: gazette notificationNewspaper Advertisement
Publish your name change in one or two newspapers. Required by some banks and institutions even though it is not a legal requirement.
Open guide: newspaper advertisementAffidavit Generator
Generate a draft affidavit for name change. Print, get it notarised on stamp paper, and use it with the Gazette and ID update applications.
Open guide: affidavit generatorName Change After Marriage
Marriage certificate route: update Aadhaar, PAN, passport and other IDs using your marriage certificate without a Gazette notification in most cases.
Open guide: name change after marriageSurname or Spelling Change
Changing your surname, full name, or correcting a spelling mistake. Requires an affidavit and usually a Gazette notification.
Open guide: surname or spelling changeUpdate Aadhaar
Change your name on your Aadhaar card online or at an Aadhaar centre. Documents, steps and fees explained.
Open guide: update aadhaarUpdate PAN Card
Request a name change on your PAN card via the Protean or UTIITSL portal. Supporting documents needed.
Open guide: update pan cardUpdate Passport
Apply for a re-issue of your passport with the new name. Gazette and marriage certificate requirements explained.
Open guide: update passportUpdate Driving Licence
Apply for a name change on your driving licence at your RTO. Required documents and steps.
Open guide: update driving licenceUpdate Voter ID
Submit a Form 8 correction request to update your name on the electoral roll.
Open guide: update voter idUpdate Bank Accounts
Visit your bank branch with the Gazette notification and updated ID proof to change the name on your accounts.
Open guide: update bank accountsUpdate Insurance Policies
Notify your life, health and vehicle insurance companies about the name change. Documents and process explained.
Open guide: update insurance policiesUpdate Employer and Service Records
Request your employer's HR department to update your name in payroll, EPF, ESI and other service records.
Open guide: update employer and service records