Name Change Affidavit Format & Template
Name & Identity · ₹49 · ~6 min · Sign in free, fill the guided form with a live preview, pay to download.
Stamp paper required — non-judicial stamp paper of the value prescribed by your state. You'll receive the draft; e-stamping is done separately per your state's rules.
What is a Name Change Affidavit?
Changing your name in India is a three-step process, and the affidavit is only the first. You swear an affidavit before a notary, publish the change in two newspapers, and — if you are a Central Government employee, or your passport name change is for a reason other than marriage or divorce — get it notified in the Official Gazette. Only then do you go to Aadhaar, PAN, the bank and your employer to update your records.
Indian law places very few restrictions on changing your name. You need to be 18 or over to change your own name, the change must not be for a fraudulent purpose, and that is broadly it. What the authorities want is a clean paper trail linking the old name to the new one — which is exactly what this affidavit starts.
When to use it
- You are adopting a new name and discarding the old one — personal preference, religion, numerology, or a fresh start.
- You are changing your surname after marriage or after divorce.
- You want to correct a spelling that has been wrong in your records for years.
- You are adding or dropping a part of your name — a surname, an initial, a middle name.
- A passport, bank or educational authority has asked you for a name change affidavit before it will update its records.
What you'll need
Keep these details ready — the form asks for them in this order.
Deponent
Current name · Relationship · Father's / Husband's name · Age · Occupation · Address
Change
New name · Reason for change · New name effective from · ID proof in your old name (optional) · State for gazette publication
Verification
Place of signing · Date
How it works
Fill in both names exactly
The old name exactly as it appears on your existing ID, and the new name exactly as you want it to read from now on — including spacing, initials and surname order. Every later document will be copied from this.
State a genuine reason and an effective date
The reason can be as ordinary as personal preference. The effective date is when you begin using the new name; authorities use it to date the changeover.
Preview and download
Check the draft on the right, pay ₹49, download the PDF.
Print on stamp paper and swear it before a notary
Print on non-judicial stamp paper of your state’s value, carry your original ID in the old name, and sign in front of a Notary Public. The notary signs, seals and registers it.
How to make it legally valid
- Non-judicial stamp paper of the value prescribed by your state.
- Sworn in the physical presence of a Notary Public or First Class Magistrate — there is no valid remote notarisation for this in India.
- Notary’s signature, seal and notarial register number on the document.
- You must be 18 or over to change your own name. For a minor, a parent or guardian executes a separate minor name change affidavit.
- The affidavit alone rarely finishes the job — newspaper publication, and Gazette notification where it applies, are what most authorities ask to see next.
Stamp paper. Print the affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper. The value is fixed by your state, not by us — commonly Rs. 10 in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 20 in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Rs. 50 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Rs. 100 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Ask the stamp vendor or your notary for the current value in your state: using a lower denomination than required is the most common reason an affidavit is handed back.
After you sign it
Signing is not the last step for this document. These are what most authorities ask to see next.
Publish in two newspapers
Within a few days of notarisation, place a classified announcing the change in two newspapers circulating where you live: one in the regional official language of your state, one in English. Newspapers have a dedicated section for this and will give you the standard wording. Keep the original clippings with the date and masthead visible — they are what you will submit, not photocopies.
Publish in the Official Gazette, if it applies to you
Gazette notification is mandatory for Central Government employees and Defence personnel, and for a passport name change made for any reason other than marriage or divorce. For everyone else it is optional but strongly recommended, because banks, educational boards and the passport office accept a Gazette copy without further questions. Central Government employees apply to the Department of Publication; others approach the Controller of Publications or Government Press in their state. You will typically need the original affidavit, both newspaper clippings, ID and address proof, photographs and the prescribed fee.
Update your records, oldest first
Start with Aadhaar and PAN, since most other bodies verify against them, then bank accounts, employer and EPFO records, passport, driving licence, insurance policies, property records, and educational certificates. Each has its own form and its own timeline — usually 7 to 30 days. Carry the affidavit, both clippings and the Gazette page (if you have one) to each.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spelling the new name inconsistently between the affidavit, the newspaper advertisement and the Gazette application. All three must match character for character.
- Publishing in two English newspapers. One must be in the regional official language of your state.
- Keeping photocopies instead of the original newspaper clippings. Authorities want the originals, with the date and masthead.
- Assuming the affidavit alone is enough for a passport name change. For reasons other than marriage or divorce, the Passport Office asks for Gazette notification.
- Using this affidavit for a minor. A child’s name is changed by a parent or guardian through a separate affidavit.
- Changing your name while a court case or a loan default is pending without telling the court and the lender. That is how an ordinary name change starts to look like evasion.
Frequently asked questions
Is a name change affidavit enough on its own?
Rarely. The affidavit is the foundational document, but for a passport, educational certificates or most government ID updates you will also need newspaper publication, and Gazette notification where it applies to you. The combination of affidavit, clippings and Gazette is what authorities treat as conclusive.
Is Gazette notification mandatory?
It is mandatory for Central Government employees and Defence personnel, and for passport name changes made for any reason other than marriage or divorce. For everyone else it is optional, but it is the strongest evidence available and is accepted without argument by banks, boards and the passport office.
Do I have to publish in the newspaper?
No central law compels it for every name change, but in practice it is essential: passport offices, banks, educational boards and Aadhaar centres routinely ask for the clippings. Publication also gives public notice, which protects you against someone later disputing the change.
Which two newspapers should I use?
One publishing in the official regional language of your state and one in English, both circulating in the area where you live. Most newspaper houses run multilingual editions and will quote you a combined package for both, which is usually cheaper than booking them separately.
What stamp paper value do I need?
Set by your state — commonly Rs. 10 in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 20 in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Rs. 50 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Rs. 100 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Confirm the current value with the stamp vendor or your notary.
How long does the whole process take?
The affidavit takes an hour or two once you reach the notary. Newspaper publication takes one to seven days. Gazette notification, where pursued, typically takes two to four weeks after submission. Updating each record afterwards takes another 7 to 30 days per authority.
Can I change my name to anything I like?
Almost. Indian law imposes few limits: you cannot adopt a name that is obscene or offensive, or one taken to impersonate a known public figure, and the change must not be intended to evade creditors, litigation or criminal liability.
How do I update Aadhaar and PAN after the name change?
For Aadhaar, use the UIDAI online portal or an enrolment centre with the notarised affidavit and supporting documents — UIDAI accepts a notarised name change affidavit as valid supporting proof. For PAN, file a correction request through NSDL or UTIITSL with the affidavit, clippings and Gazette page where available; the revised card is usually issued in 15 to 20 working days.
What is the difference between a name change and a name correction affidavit?
A name change affidavit is for adopting a genuinely different name. A name correction, or One and the Same Person affidavit, is for a spelling error or a variation — "Vijay" against "Vijay Kumar" — where you are not adopting a new name at all. Using the wrong one means redoing the process.
Can I change my name more than once?
There is no legal limit, but each change needs the full process again, and repeated changes attract scrutiny and tangle your records. Every change should have a genuine, stated reason.
Can I start using the new name immediately after notarisation?
For everyday purposes, yes — the affidavit records the date the new name takes effect. For formal transactions with a bank, government office or at an airport, you need that institution’s records updated first, which means completing their process.
What happens to my property, contracts and loans?
Your rights and obligations are unaffected by a name change. Notify every bank, lender, employer and counterparty with a copy of the affidavit. Property records should be updated by a formal endorsement or supplementary deed — take legal advice on that one, as it touches title.
Can a name change affidavit be challenged?
Yes. If a court finds the change was made to evade debt, litigation or criminal liability, it can be set aside, and a third party whose interests are harmed can challenge it in a civil court. This is why the affidavit states plainly that the change is not for any fraudulent purpose.
Ready to prepare your Name Change Affidavit?
₹49 · live preview before you pay
This is a self-help template for common situations — it is not legal advice and LawMitran is not a law firm. Need help with your name change affidavit? Find a documentation lawyer · Legal documents FAQs.