Getting married is a happy time, and for some, it means changing their name. If you're thinking of changing your name after marriage, there are specific steps you need to follow. This article simplifies the process, outlining the essential steps, required documents, and considerations regarding name change process after marraige.Whether you want to take your spouse's last name or use both names with a hyphen, this is a personal and important decision. Let us help you through the process and share some advice for those starting the exciting journey of changing their name after getting married.
Step 1: Prepare Undertaking/Affidavit
Write a statement confirming your decision to change your name after marriage. This document serves as your official declaration. The affidavit should be prepared on a stamp paper with a denomination of either Rs. 10 or Rs. 20.
Format of affidavit for name change after marriage:
AFFIDAVIT FOR CHANGE OF NAME AFTER MARRAIGE
I, {Applicant Old Name} Daughter of {Applicant Father Name} and wife of {Applicant Husband Name} aged {Age of Applicant} residing at {Address of Applicant} , do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:
- That my Maiden Name is {Applicant Old Name}
- That i got marrried to {Applicant Husband Name} on {Applicant Marraige Date} at {Applicant Marraige place} vide marraige certificate number {Applicant Marraige Certificate Number} dated {Date of issue of Marraige Certificate} , issued by {Certificate Issuing Authority}
- After Marraige My Name is {Applicant New Name}
- That in my Marraige Certificate both names of mine and name of my husband are stated.
- That my AADHAR number is {Aadhar No of Applicant}.
- Which is same before and after Marraige.
I stated that {Applicant Old Name} and {Applicant New Name} is the name of the one and the same person and that is myself.
I am executing this declaration to be submitted to the concerned authorities for the change of my name in membership database.
I hereby state that whatever is stated herein above are true to the best of my knowledge.
{Signature of Applicant}
{Old Name of Applicant}
VERIFICATION:
Verified on this {Date of Affidavit} that the contents of the affidavit are true and correct, nothing material, nothing material has be concealed and no part of it is false.
{Signature of Applicant}
{Old Name of Applicant}
Step 2: Get Affidavit Notarised
After preparing the affidavit in Step 1, make sure to get it notarized by a legal authority or a notary public. This step adds an extra layer of authenticity to your statement.
Step 3: Fill Prescribed Performa for Public Notice
Complete the official prescribed performa, stating your old name and signed only by your old name. Include details of two witnesses along with thier signatures, contact numbers and addresses and submit 2 hardcopies of the same.
Format of Public Notice for name change after marriage:
I Hitherto known as {Applicant Old Name} S/o / D/o/ Transgender of {Applicant Father Name} residing at {Applicant Address} have changed my name and shall hereafter be known as {Applicant New Name}
It is certified that i have complied with other Legal requirements in this connection.
{Signature of Applicant}
{Old Name of Applicant}
Witness No. 1
Signature: {Signature of Witness 1}
Full Name: {Full Name of Witness 1}
Address: {Address of Witness 1}
Mobile No.: {Mobile Number of Witness 1}
Witness No. 2
Signature: {Signature of Witness 2}
Full Name: {Full Name of Witness 2}
Address: {Address of Witness 2}
Mobile No.: {Mobile Number of Witness 2}
Step 4: Place an Advertisement in a Local National Newspaper
Publish an advertisement in a local national newspaper, either in English or Hindi. Ensure it contains details like your old name, gender, father's name, full address, and the new name. This advertisement should be from your side, not from a lawyer, and should appear in the Public Notice section of the newspaper. This advertisement in original must be submitted with other relevant documents.
Format of Public Notice (For Newspaper Publication) for name change after marriage:
I Hitherto known as {Applicant Old Name} S/o / D/o/ Transgender of {Applicant Father Name} residing at {Applicant Address} have changed my name and shall hereafter be known as {Applicant New Name}
It is certified that i have complied with other Legal requirements in this connection.
{Signature of Applicant}
{Old Name of Applicant}
Witness No. 1
Signature: {Signature of Witness 1}
Full Name: {Full Name of Witness 1}
Address: {Address of Witness 1}
Mobile No.: {Mobile Number of Witness 1}
Witness No. 2
Signature: {Signature of Witness 2}
Full Name: {Full Name of Witness 2}
Address: {Address of Witness 2}
Mobile No.: {Mobile Number of Witness 2}
Step 5: Prepare a CD
Create a CD containing the prescribed format for the public notice in MS Word, excluding the witness section mentioning your old name at the end.
Format:
I Hitherto known as {Applicant Old Name} S/o / D/o/ Transgender of {Applicant Father Name residing at {Applicant Address} have changed my name and shall hereafter be known as {Applicant New Name}
It is certified that i have complied with other Legal requirements in this connection.
{Old Name of Applicant}
Step 6: Provide a CD Certificate Signed by the Applicant
Include a certificate, signed using your old name, stating that the contents of the hard copies and soft copy are identical.
Format:
I {Applicant Old Name} S/o / D/o / Transgender of {Applicant Father Name} R/o {Applicant Address}, declares that
- The matter in CD and hardcopy are same and i am responsible for any mismatch.
- I am responsible for the quality of CD.
- That the above statements are true and correct.
{Signature of Applicant}
{Old Name of Applicant}
Step 7: Submit Two Recent Self-Attested Photographs
Attach two recent photographs of yourself, each self-attested.
Step 8: Include a Self-Attested Copy of Photo ID Proof
Submit a self-attested copy of your photo ID proof, such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, or Passport.
Step 9: Provide ID Proof for Witnesses
Include self-attested photocopies of ID proof for the witnesses, such as Aadhar card, Voter ID card, or Passport.
Step 10: Include Marriage Certificate
Submit a copy of your marriage certificate as proof of the name change.
Step 11: Fee Payment
Check with the Department of Publication for the applicable fee and payment instructions. Pay the required fee on Bharatkosh Website.
Step 12: Write a Request Letter
Draft a letter addressed to the Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, mentioning your contact details (telephone number and email). Submit this letter along with all above documents in hardcopy with CD.
Format:
To
The Controller of Publications,
Department on Publications,
Civil lines, Delhi- 110054
Subject: Request for change of Name
Sir/ Ma'am,
I wish to change my name from {Applicant Old Name} to {Applicant New Name}. Kindly note the same in Gazette of India (Part-IV). i have completed all the formalities in all respect. All the required documents and CD are attached with this letter.
Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully
{Signature of the Applicant}
Name of the Applicant. : {Applicant New Name}
Address of the Applicant. : {Address of Applicant}
Mobile Number of Applicant : {Mobile number of Applicant}
E-mail ID of Applicant : {Email Id of Applicant}
Date of Submission to the department : {Date of Submission}
Step 13: Courier Instructions
Courier all the above mentioned documents, including the original CD, to the Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, behind Old Vidhan Sabha, near Vidhan Sabha Metro Station. Once the verification is complete, you will receive your name change certificate (Gazette Notification) within 40-50 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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