Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Legal Name Change?
Sometimes people wish to be addressed by a name different from their current name. Following are some common reasons for a name change.
A desire for a fancy new name
Correction of spelling in the current name
Change of religion
Change of Gender
After Marriage
After Divorce
Astronomical reasons
Though informally you can request your relatives and friends to address you by a new name, you need to get your name changed through a legal process to reflect the change in all your identity cards, educational, and other important documents.
A desire for a fancy new name
Correction of spelling in the current name
Change of religion
Change of Gender
After Marriage
After Divorce
Astronomical reasons
Though informally you can request your relatives and friends to address you by a new name, you need to get your name changed through a legal process to reflect the change in all your identity cards, educational, and other important documents.
Documents Required to Change a Legal Name in India
1. An affidavit for the name change
2. Newspaper publication
3. A deed of name change
4. Request letter to the secretariat
5. Name change statement
6. Reply letter from the secretariat
7. Publication money receipt
8. Gazette notification
Name Change Procedure for Minors
Make an Affidavit
Publish Name Change in Newspaper
Undertake Gazette Publication
Publish Name Change in Newspaper
Undertake Gazette Publication
When Do I Need To Change Name On Passport After Marriage
In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in his address at the Indian merchant’s Chamber’s Ladies wing that women need not change their names in the passports anymore after marriage. This invited multiple responses from the public, who claimed that even prior to this announcement there was no such mandatory requirement. On the issue of online name change, the instructions booklet of the passport application form on the Passport Seva website says, ‘This will be applicable to an applicant who has even marginally changed the name or a female who has changed her name or surname after marriage’.
This means that if a woman kept her maiden name, nothing changes in the passport application process.
This means that if a woman kept her maiden name, nothing changes in the passport application process.