Name Change in the Digital Age: Managing Online Presence and Documentation
Date : 18 Jul, 2023
Post By admin
Introduction
In Indian culture a person’s name plays a very important role many people name their children based on their religious beliefs. But the trend has changed now and people want modern names. There are other reasons as well for name change such as in India the tradition is that the bride will change her surname and adds her husband’s surname.
Name change in India
✔️ Prepare an affidavit and get it notarized on stamp paper that proclaims the intention to change your name.
✔️ After filing of the affidavit, you have to advertise your decision to change your name in two newspapers, one local and one national.
✔️ Get your name published in the official Gazette.
Impact of digital era
Decision to change name is an important one, you may opt. to change your name for your personal growth, or if you are getting married, or other reasons. Once you have changed your name after following the due process, then you have to update it at online platforms.
As most of us are on social media and hence it is very important to let your contact know about your new name. Hence, social media is a platform where you can share your new name with your contacts.
Legal and Financial Implications of name change
Name change involves updation of several essential documents and accounts. To ensure a smooth transition, it is significant to understand the implications of name change in India.
Once you have changed your name the next important step is to update all your identification papers with your new name, also update your financial accounts, and records with your new name.
You must also get the insurance policies and contracts updated in your new name. This must be done without fail as the moment your name is changed, you cannot use your old name for legal purposes.
Personal and Professional Identity
Once you change your name it has an impact on both legal aspects and your personal identity. Having a new name is indeed transformative and it is an empowering experience. You must inform your friends, family, and colleagues about your new name. Nowadays, especially the young generation has a very huge online presence. Hence, it is very important for you to keep your peer updated about your new identity i.e. your new name.
Social Media Presence
In this digital world, it is very important to manage your social media presence especially when you have changed your name. You must use your changed name and must update it online. Your social media profile should have your new name and it should be updated accordingly.
Updation of new Name Online
For updating your new name online, you must follow the tips mentioned below for doing it in an easy and smooth manner:
✔️ Create a Detailed Action Plan: Have a well-structured and detailed action plan where you must note down all the social media websites you are active. You must do it promptly without missing a single social media website.
✔️ Focus on Important Accounts and Platforms: Your prime focus should be to identify the important accounts and platforms to update your name. Firstly, you must start with updation of your email accounts, social media profiles, and professional networking sites. You must also take care of your financial accounts and must update your name on online banking, financial accounts, and utility providers.
✔️ Notify Relevant Institutions and Organizations: You must contact the institutions and organizations having your personal information or that affects your daily life. It may include government agencies, healthcare providers, employers, schools, and others. All these institutions and organizations must be informed about your new name.
✔️ Seek Professional Help if Required: If you are facing challenges in name change procedure or updating online then you must seek professional help. Consult with a lawyer who specializes in name changes and he/ she shall give you a tailored advice and guidance. They will assist you legally and help you to get it done speedily.
✔️ Keep Track of Progress and Documentation: You must record your progress and get all your documents updated with the new name. Prepared a detailed note of platforms, accounts, and documents that you have updated and that are yet to be updated. This will be helpful for you to track your progress, and in this manner you won’t miss anything. This is an easy and systematic procedure that you must follow while updating records and documents with your new name.
Conclusion
Updating your name online is a very crucial step in matching your personal identity. This includes embracing your new identity and effectively handling your social media presence. We have discussed certain important tips that shall be helpful for you to update your name on social media platform.
This is a time consuming process and you must do it with patience. Updating your new name online is important to ensure that there is no confusion. This will help your family, friends, and relatives to be updated with your new name.
FAQs
Q1: What can be the valid reasons for name change?
Ans: There may be a number of reasons, it may be due to marriage, divorce, adoption, error in the birth certificate, or you simply wish to change your name as you want a fancy or stylish name.
Q2: What is the procedure to change name?
Ans: ✔️ Prepare an affidavit for change of name
✔️ Publish regarding your name change in two newspapers, one local and one national
✔️ Notify it in the Gazette.
Q3: Why should I update my new name on social media?
Ans: You should do this so that your family, friends, and relatives get aware about your new name. Not only on personal front but you should also update your name in email accounts, online banking accounts, etc. Also, by doing so, you will avoid confusion amongst your known.
Q4: What should be mentioned in the affidavit for name change?
Ans: ✔️ Your complete name (Old and new name both)
✔️ Your Father’s or husband’s name (in case of married women)
✔️ Your complete residential address
✔️ Reasons for name change
✔️ A declaration mentioning the facts provided in the affidavit are true and correct.
Q5: Is Gazette notification for name change a mandate in India?
Ans: It is a mandate for government employees and optional for others. But if you need to update your name in your certificates and identity cards, there you may require a Gazette publication. Hence, it is advisable to get your new name published in the official gazette.
This article was written by Shivangi Dubey, an extremely established lawyer. Shivangi Dubey holds a BSL-LLB degree from ILS Pune & also is a gold medalist in LLM-Business laws from Amity University. With 12 years of experience in the law domain, she has established herself as an expert in her field. Presently, Shivangi works as an Advocate at the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Government of India. Her expertise as well as insights have considerably added to the content of this article.
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