How to change your name Legally in Ahmedabad?

How can one become eligible to change names in Ahmedabad?

Under the Indian Constitution, a person has been provided with Equal Rights. Therefore in consonance with the Indian Constitution, a person irrespective of their age is allowed to change their name. It is very important for changing the name in Ahmedabad that he/she should hold the below-mentioned with themselves:

1. A valid proof of address located in Ahmedabad, 
2. They should hold a valid Government ID of Ahmedabad, and
3. Most importantly, they should have a valid reason for changing their name
4. In the case of minor children, it is required that the child should visit the Government office along with their parents.

What are the circumstances under which a change of name can be sought?

There are some common circumstances for which a name change can be sought. These are discussed as:

1. Spelling Errors: A person may go for a name change if there are any spelling mistakes in their name.
2. Change in the name: If the whole name of an individual has been changed due to any reason it could be astrological, stars, change of religion, change of gender, change in nationality, dissatisfaction with the current name, etc. may apply to have their name changed. 
3. Marriage: It can be usually seen in India that the woman carries her husband's name after marriage so there is a high possibility of changing the name or surname after marriage. 
4. Divorce: As above we have discussed the need for a change in the name due to marriage, divorce is also a kind of separation and therefore requires the name to be changed. 
5. Adoption: It is a process whereby a child is adopted from some other family hence the need for change in the surname of the child is required in such a circumstance. 

Therefore, these are some of the circumstances in which a person can seek to change their name. However, the list is not exhaustive but only illustrative. 

What are the documents required to change names in Ahmedabad?

If you are thinking of changing your name soon in Ahmedabad then you are required to keep with yourself the below-mentioned list of documents:

1. Government ID Proof- Identity Documents are the proof a person carries with them to explain that they are the valid citizens of a particular state and the country. 
2. Photographs- The other proof that a person requires at every stage of the legal procedure in India is to attest to passport-size photographs of them. Therefore, changing of name also requires the passport-size photograph of the applicant. 
3. Miscellaneous Documents- These miscellaneous documents consist of those documents which are required as a reason for changing the names. It could be a marriage certificate, divorce deeds, adoption agreement, documents relating to change of sex, religion etc. 

These are the documents that a person should keep with themselves for changing their name in Ahmedabad. 

What is the legal procedure for changing names in Ahmedabad?

Affidavit

The first step in the process of changing the name in Ahmedabad is to submit the Affidavit to the local notary specifying the old name, father’s name, full residential address of the applicant, current name, and the declaration that the statements are true and accurate to the best knowledge of the applicant. 

Format of an Affidavit

I, ________, SON/DAUGHTER of______RESIDENT OF_____ do solemnly hereby declare and affirm that:

1. That I am a Citizen of India
2. That in the ____(name of document) bears the name of mine as____(incorrect)
3. That my correct name as per the ____(name of document) is ____(correct name)
4. That I request the concerned authorities to rectify my _____ (incorrect name) in the ______(incorrect document) as _______(correct name)
5. That I am enclosing a self-attested ____ document as a proof of my correct name. 
6. That my above statements are true and accurate. 

                                                                                         DEPONENT

VERIFICATION

Verified at____on this day of ____ that the contents of the above affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and nothing material has been concealed therefrom.

 DEPONENT

Publication in the newspaper

After notarizing the affidavit the applicant is required to publish the advertisement of their name change in one Regional Hindi Newspaper and in one English newspaper. Some of the common details to be incorporated in the newspaper publication are:

1. Both the names of the applicant
2. Father’s Name
3. Age of the Applicant
4. Residential Address
5. Date of the Affidavit and
6. Notarty who attests to the affidavit

Format of Newspaper Advertisement

I, XYZ resident of 32B Sector 20 Susnt Lok Nagpur- 122009 have changed my name from XYZ to ABC vide affidavit dated 25-03-2023 sworn before Notary R.X YXA

Publishing the Name in the Official Gazette of Ahmedabad:

The last step in the process of the name change is to publish the new name of the applicant in the Official Gazette of Ahmedabad. For this, the applicant is required to approach the controller of publication of a government press by sending the fees in the form of a Demand Draft and other documents to publish the changed name. The list of documents is as follows:

1. Two self-attested passport photographs
2. Two copies of ID Proof
3. Letter requesting publication
4. Duly attested Affidavit
5. Original Newspaper where the advertisement printed
6. A prescribed performa with the signature of the applicant and two witnesses
7. A C.D. which contains the soft copy of the contents along with a declaration that the hard copy and soft copy are one and the same.
8. Soft Copy should be signed by the applicant with their old name and two witness signatures. 

Conclusion

Therefore, this is the process of changing a person’s name in Ahmedabad. This whole process might be tedious for you, but at  Lawtendo, we are there to help you around the process. We are just a click away from you!