What is a Name Change Affidavit?
A name change affidavit (naam parivartan shapat patra) is a legally sworn declaration in which an individual formally states that they have changed their name from an old name to a new name, of their own free will, and with no fraudulent or criminal intent.
This affidavit is the first and most important document in the name change process in India. It acts as proof that the name change is voluntary and is recognized by government departments, banks, educational institutions, passport offices, and the Gazette of India.
Note: A name change affidavit does not automatically change your name in government records. It is one document — you will still need to apply separately to each authority (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Bank, etc.).
When Do You Need a Name Change Affidavit?
You will typically require a name change affidavit in the following situations:
- After marriage (wife changing surname or adding husband's name)
- After divorce or remarriage
- For spelling correction in your existing name
- For a complete name change due to personal, religious, or astrological reasons
- For updating name in Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
- For school/college certificates or degree name correction
- For bank account, insurance, or property document updates
- For publishing the name change in the Official Gazette of India
- For immigration, visa, or overseas education applications
Documents Required for Name Change Affidavit
Before you begin, keep the following documents ready:
- Aadhaar Card (old & new, if available)
- PAN Card
- Birth Certificate
- Passport-size photographs (2 copies)
- Address proof (Electricity bill / Ration card / Rent agreement)
- Old name documents (10th/12th marksheet, degree, etc.)
- Marriage certificate (in case of name change after marriage)
- Non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50 / ₹100)
- Two witnesses with valid ID proof
- Notary Public for attestation
Name Change Affidavit Format — What It Contains
A standard name change affidavit format typically includes the following information:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| New Name | The name you want to adopt |
| Old Name | Your previous legal name |
| Father's Name | For identity verification |
| Address | Complete residential address with PIN |
| Date of Birth | As per Aadhaar / birth certificate |
| Occupation | Job, business, student, etc. |
| Declaration | Sworn statement of voluntary name change |
| Place & Date | Where and when the affidavit is signed |
| Signature | Deponent + two witnesses |
| Notary Verification | Notary stamp, registration number & seal |
How to Make a Name Change Affidavit — Step by Step
- Fill the online form on AffidavitFormat.com with your new name, old name, father's name, address, date of birth, and other personal details.
- Choose your language — Hindi, English, or bilingual (Dwibhashi).
- Select the stamp paper value for your state — usually ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper.
- Click Preview to review the affidavit. Make sure all spellings, dates, and details are correct.
- Print the affidavit on the selected stamp paper. If you don't have stamp paper, print on plain paper and purchase e-stamp paper from the SHCIL portal.
- Sign in front of a Notary Public along with two witnesses. The notary will verify your identity, attest the affidavit, and apply their official seal.
- Publish in newspapers (optional) — for major official name changes, publish a name change notice in two local newspapers (one Hindi, one English).
- Apply for Gazette notification (optional) — for permanent legal record, apply to the Department of Publication, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Submit to concerned authorities — Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Bank, School, etc. — along with the notarized affidavit and supporting documents.
Where to Submit a Name Change Affidavit?
After notarization, the name change affidavit is submitted to the following authorities:
| Authority | Purpose |
|---|---|
| UIDAI (Aadhaar) | Name update in Aadhaar card |
| Income Tax Dept (PAN) | Name update in PAN card |
| Regional Passport Office | Name update in Passport |
| Election Commission (Voter ID) | Name update in Voter ID |
| RTO (Driving License) | Name update in DL |
| Bank / Financial Institutions | Name update in account records |
| School / College / University | Name update in educational certificates |
| Dept. of Publication (Gazette) | Official Gazette notification |
| Regional Passport Office / Embassies | Visa / immigration purposes |
Important Points to Remember
- Always use the correct spelling of your old and new name — mistakes can cause rejection.
- The date of birth must match your Aadhaar / birth certificate.
- Use the correct stamp paper value as per your state's rules. Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, and other states have different requirements.
- Never sign the affidavit before reaching the notary — the signature must be witnessed.
- Keep multiple notarized copies — you will need them for Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Bank, and other departments.
- Do not conceal any previous name change — it may lead to rejection or legal issues.
Legal Tip: If you are changing your name after marriage, you can use a Marriage Certificate as supporting proof. If you are changing your name for other reasons, additional proof like a newspaper publication or Gazette notification strengthens your case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A name change affidavit is a sworn legal declaration in which a person formally declares that they have changed their name from an old name to a new name of their own free will, with no fraudulent or criminal intent.
Yes. A name change affidavit is legally valid in India when it is printed on non-judicial stamp paper, signed by the deponent, and notarized by a Notary Public.
You need a valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport), birth certificate, old name documents, address proof, two passport-size photographs, and non-judicial stamp paper of the applicable value.
Yes, for major official changes (passport, gazette, marriage), it is recommended to publish a name change notice in two local newspapers (one Hindi, one English) after the affidavit is notarized.
The affidavit itself is free on AffidavitFormat.com. You only pay for the non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 to ₹100 depending on the state) and the notary charges (usually ₹50 to ₹200).
Yes. UIDAI accepts a notarized name change affidavit, along with supporting documents, for updating the name in Aadhaar.
A name change affidavit format includes the deponent's details (new name, old name, father's name, address, DOB), a solemn declaration of voluntary name change, place, date, signature, witness signatures, and notary verification.
Yes. Most Indian states require the affidavit to be printed on ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper, depending on the purpose and state rules.
A notarized name change affidavit does not expire, but many government offices prefer it to be issued within 6 to 12 months of submission. It is best to notarize it close to the date of use.
Yes. AffidavitFormat.com provides the name change affidavit in Hindi, English, and bilingual (Dwibhashi) formats, which you can print directly from your browser.
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