Legal Name Change AffidavitGazette notification format
Legal Name Change Affidavit Format for Gazette Notification
Affidavit · Last reviewed September 2026
This is a reference format, not legal advice. This affidavit is one step of the name change process, not the whole thing - you'll also need a newspaper publication and Gazette notification. Wording and stamp paper value vary by state.
When You Need This
Changing your name for any reason - not necessarily due to marriage - typically starts with this affidavit, followed by a newspaper announcement and publication in the Gazette of India or your State Gazette. This is different from a marriage-specific name/surname change affidavit.
Enter Your Details
Answer a few quick questions and we'll generate a properly worded affidavit below - typed straight into the document, no leftover "[your name]"-style instructions when you print.
Click anywhere in the document above to fine-tune the wording before printing - the notary's date and place are left blank on purpose.
Buy non-judicial stamp paper of the value required by your notary - this varies by state.
Sign it in front of a Notary Public - do not sign it beforehand.
Publish a name change notice in at least one local/national newspaper.
Apply for Gazette publication (via the e-Gazette portal or offline) attaching this affidavit and the newspaper cutting.
Once the Gazette notification is issued, use it to update your name on Aadhaar, PAN, bank accounts, and other records.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The standard process is (1) sign this affidavit before a Notary Public, (2) publish a notice in a local/national newspaper, and (3) apply for publication in the Gazette of India (or your State Gazette). Only after the Gazette notification is issued is your name change considered complete for most official purposes.
A marriage-related name change affidavit specifically ties the change to your marriage (usually a change of surname). This format is for changing your name for any reason - a spelling preference, dropping/adding a middle name, religious conversion, or any personal reason not connected to marriage - so the wording and gazette process differ slightly.
Yes - Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, educational certificates, and any other official record should all be updated to your new name, usually by submitting a copy of your Gazette notification (and this affidavit) to each issuing authority separately. There's no single portal that updates all of them at once.
This varies depending on whether you apply online through the e-Gazette portal or offline, and the volume of applications being processed - it can range from a few weeks to a couple of months. Check the current processing time on the Department of Publication's e-Gazette website.
A minor's name change typically needs to be sworn by the parent/guardian on the child's behalf, with both parents' consent where applicable, and the wording adjusted accordingly. If you're changing a minor's name, have a local advocate review the wording before you notarize it.