Table Of Contents
- What is a gazette certificate?
- What documents do you require for a name change gazette?
- Government (Bharatkosh) gazette fees
- How to get (apply for) a gazette notification for name change?
- Gazette notification for name change in Aadhaar card
- How to check your name in the gazette?
- How to download your name change gazette notification (PDF)?
- Does the process differ by city or state (Delhi, Bangalore, Haryana, West Bengal)?
- Can I change my surname in India?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A gazette notification for name change is the official government record that legally confirms your change of name across India. Once your new name is published in the Gazette of India, it becomes a permanent, verifiable public record that banks, passport offices, the UIDAI, and other authorities accept as proof of your new identity. It is the final — and most important — step in the legal name change process.
This guide explains what a gazette notification is, the documents required, how to apply, how to download your notification as a PDF, and how to use it to update your name in your Aadhaar card.
Get Your Name Changed Legally →
What is a gazette certificate?
A gazette certificate is an official document issued by the Government of India that publicly records a legal declaration — in this case, your name change. (A gazette notification and a gazette certificate are the same thing.) Because the Gazette is an official government publication, the notification serves as nationwide legal proof that you have changed your name, which is why most institutions ask for it before updating their records.
What documents do you require for a name change gazette?
To publish a name change in the gazette, you need to submit the following:
- A notarised name change affidavit stating your old name, your new name, and the reason for the change.
- A newspaper publication — two advertisements announcing the change, one in a local-language newspaper and one in an English newspaper. Keep 3–4 original copies of each.
- Valid government ID proofs that show your old name.
- Passport-size photographs.
- The completed gazette application in the prescribed format, along with the payment receipt.
Note: the two newspaper ads should appear in a local newspaper and a national/English newspaper — this refers to the choice of newspapers, not to publishing in two different languages.
Once these are submitted, the Department of Publication processes and publishes your notification in the Gazette of India.
Government (Bharatkosh) gazette fees
The amounts below are the government fees paid to the Department of Publication through the Bharatkosh portal. They are separate from any service charge you pay an agency to prepare and file your application:
- ₹1,100 — name change
- ₹1,400 — name correction
- ₹1,700 — name change for a minor
- ₹1,350 — name change after marriage
Government fees can be revised, so confirm the current amount on Bharatkosh before paying.
How to get (apply for) a gazette notification for name change?
Here is how to get your new name published in the gazette, step by step. The full process has three stages, and gazette publication is the last one.
Also Read – Common Mistakes of Name Change Notification in Gazette
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Step 1: Create the name change affidavit
First, prepare a name change affidavit on stamp paper. It must include your old name, your new name, the reason for the change (marriage, correction, numerology, divorce, or personal choice), and details such as your father’s or husband’s name and your address. You can order a ready affidavit online and skip the paperwork. Have the affidavit notarised once it is prepared.
Step 2: Publish in the newspaper
Next, publish the name change advertisement in two newspapers — one in your state’s local-language newspaper and one in an English newspaper. Each ad should clearly state your old name, your new name, your father’s or husband’s name, your age, and your full address. Re-read the advertisement before it runs: a spelling error here can cause problems later. Keep at least 3–4 original copies of each newspaper.
Step 3: Publish in the Gazette of India
Finally, submit your application — affidavit, newspaper copies, ID proofs, and the Bharatkosh fee receipt — to the Department of Publication. Your name change is then published in the Central Gazette of India. Keep the gazette copy safely for future use.
Central vs State Gazette: The Central Gazette is based in Delhi and is recognised nationwide, while each state also maintains its own State Gazette. A Central Gazette notification generally carries wider acceptance and is preferred for Aadhaar and passport updates. If you are unsure which one applies to you — or whether your state offers a state-level option — read our detailed guide: State Gazette vs Central Gazette for name change.
From our experience: Across the name change applications we process at eDrafter, the most common reason a gazette application is delayed or returned is a mismatch between the spelling of the name — or the father’s/husband’s name — on the affidavit, the newspaper ad, and the final application. Keep all three identical, character for character.
Also read: Common mistakes in name change gazette notifications
Gazette notification for name change in Aadhaar card
Do you need a gazette notification to change your name in your Aadhaar card? It depends on how many times you have already updated it and how big the change is.
UIDAI allows you to update your name on Aadhaar twice using standard supporting documents (such as a PAN card, voter ID, or passport). For a third or further name change — or for a complete first or last name change where you do not have other strong proof — UIDAI requires a gazette notification as legal proof. Minor spelling corrections can often be handled with a regular ID proof and do not always need a gazette.
Once your name is published in the Gazette of India, here is how to update your Aadhaar:
- Download the gazette notification PDF from egazette.gov.in.
- Visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or enrolment/update centre. A full name change cannot be completed entirely online — it requires a centre visit and biometric verification.
- Fill the Aadhaar update form and submit it with the printed gazette copy and a supporting ID proof showing your old name.
- Pay the applicable update fee (₹50 for a demographic update) and collect your URN (Update Request Number) to track the status.
Aadhaar name updates typically take around 30 days, though UIDAI notes that in some cases it can take longer. If your request is rejected because you have exhausted the two-update limit, you can request exception processing through UIDAI’s regional office by calling 1947, attaching your gazette notification and supporting documents.
How to check your name in the gazette?
You can check the status of your name change online on the official e-Gazette portal at egazette.gov.in. Once your notification is published, you can search for and view it there using the publication date and the relevant gazette part.
How to download your name change gazette notification (PDF)?
Once your notification is published, you can download it as a PDF, free of cost, from the official e-Gazette portal. The process is:
- Go to egazette.gov.in and open the search/download section.
- Choose the weekly gazette.
- Select Part IV — this is where name change notifications are published.
- Choose the date range for when your notification was published.
- Open the relevant gazette and download the PDF.
- To locate your name quickly, open the PDF and use Ctrl + F to search for your old or new name.
You can then save the PDF for your records and use it whenever you need to update other documents. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to download a name change gazette notification.
Also read: Top reasons for name change in India
Does the process differ by city or state (Delhi, Bangalore, Haryana, West Bengal)?
The Central Gazette name change process is the same across India. Whether you live in Delhi, Bangalore, Haryana, West Bengal, or anywhere else, your application is filed with the Department of Publication in Delhi, and the resulting Central Gazette notification is valid nationwide. If you are outside Delhi, you can submit your file by speed post or courier — you do not have to travel.
Some states also run their own State Gazette, which can be an option for certain state-level requirements. To see whether your state offers a state gazette and how it compares, read our State Gazette vs Central Gazette guide.
Can i change my surname in India?
Yes. You can change your surname through the same three-step process used for a full name change. Your surname does not change automatically after marriage — you still need to complete the legal procedure to change your surname after marriage:
- Prepare an affidavit for the surname change.
- Publish the change in two newspapers (one local, one English).
- Publish the surname change notification in the Gazette of India.
If you are changing your surname after marriage, you will usually also need to submit your marriage certificate along with the ID proofs of both spouses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the gazette of india?
The Gazette of India is the official public journal of the Government of India, where legal declarations and notifications — including name changes, appointments, and statutory orders — are recorded and published for the entire country.
Is a gazette notification required to change my name in Aadhaar?
UIDAI lets you update your Aadhaar name twice using standard ID proofs. A gazette notification becomes necessary for a third or further change, for a complete first/last name change, or once you have used up your two-update limit. Minor spelling corrections can often be done without a gazette.
How can I get the gazette notification PDF?
Once your notification is published, you can download it as a PDF for free from the official e-Gazette portal at egazette.gov.in, by selecting the relevant week, Part IV, and date range.
Is a gazette notification mandatory for a name change?
For a legally recognised name change that institutions such as passport offices and banks will accept, gazette publication is strongly recommended and often required. The affidavit and newspaper advertisement alone are usually not sufficient on their own.
How long does the gazette name change process take?
The full process — affidavit, newspaper publication, and gazette notification — typically takes a few weeks, depending on the Department of Publication’s processing time.
Can I change only my first name and keep my surname?
Yes. You can change your first name, your surname, or both. The affidavit simply needs to state clearly which part of your name is changing, and from what to what.
