Understanding the Reasons for Name Changes in Indian Society

Introduction

The process to change one’s name involves certain legal procedures and it includes submission of relevant documents to the appropriate authorities. It must be noted that to change one’s name needs planning and consideration. It is to be done in a systematic manner by following the procedural requirements. One can change name due to many reasons that can be religious, social, adoption, marriage, divorce, etc.

Name change in India

1. Prepare an affidavit and get it notarized on stamp paper that proclaims the intention to change your name.
2. After filing the affidavit, you have to advertise your decision to change your name in two local newspapers. 
3. Get your name published in the official Gazette.

Reasons for name change in India

1. Choosing a Stylish New Name

It is a common trend in Bollywood where stars change their names to fancy names or easy to remember names. The reason for this is simple they do so or others who choose to change their names as they think that their names are old fashioned, outdated, conventional, or they simply don’t like it. There is also a trend where names of both the parents are combined and then name is changed to make it stylish and unique.

2. Name Change After Divorce

After divorce women prefer to change their name where they wish to remove the surname of their husband or they want to add their father’s surname. However, the procedure is lengthy and varies from one state to another. For name change after divorce, advice from legal expert be sought.

3. Couples Combining Their Surnames

It is also a trend that married couples wish to change their names after marriage as they want to combine their surnames or want to rhyme their names after marriage. One has to follow the legal procedure for changing name.

4. Religious Grounds

People change their names on religious grounds, either they change their religion or marry inter-caste and then want to change their names accordingly. If one intends to change religion in India then it is to be done by following proper legal procedure that also includes publishing a notice in the Central Gazette.

5. Easy to remember 

People want to change their names if it is very tough or hard to pronounce or a very long name that cannot be recalled, etc. They opt for short, fancy, new names that are stylish and easy to pronounce and remember.

6. Gender Change

One who has decided to change gender also tends to change name as per masculine, feminine identity. The name change is preferred if one has changed gender and wishes to maintain an identity.

7. Name Change After Marriage

It is not a mandate for a woman to change her maiden name after marriage, however, it is being done based on Indian traditions that a woman has to add her husband’s surname after marriage. It gives a feeling of cohesion and belonging. A copy of the marriage certificate is required to change name after marriage.

8. Changes Name Due to Astrology or Numerology

Many people think that their name has a great influence and impact on their lives, this is something very significant for them. In India, we have immense faith in astrology and numerology and hence one tends to change or modify names by adding or deleting a word or many words, they wish to alter spelling of their names or they add vowels to their names considering it to be lucky.

9. Foreign Nationality

People who have their roots in different countries tend to opt for changing their name. For instance: Ms. Mary Gupta’s parents could be from two different countries. This gives them a chance to choose their name according to their country they belong to.

10. Adoption

One may prefer to change name when adopted by a family, the name change could include adding a new surname and removing your previous surname, etc.

Central Gazette and its role in legal documentation

It is a publication for recording and publishing the applicant’s change of name in India, in the official Gazette. One must publish name change in the official gazette for being on a safer side.

However, publication of name change in the official gazette of a government employee is a mandate. A few banks have a mandate to submit a gazette notification for updation of KYC records.

Documents required for name change process:

1. You need an affidavit on a stamp paper

2. You need the newspaper with the advertisement given regarding name change;

3. The prescribed proforma is needed in printed format, that must be duly signed by you and it must also be signed by two witnesses;

4. Two passport size photographs

5. Photocopies of valid ID proof including passport or aadhar card or pancard; 

6. A CD is required with a soft copy of the application in .docx format;

7. The original ad that was printed in the newspaper notifying the change in name;

8. A letter is required that contains that the content in the hard and soft copies of the application is credible;

9. Registration fee in form of demand draft to the authority.

After due verification of all the documents mentioned above, your new name shall be published in the official gazette. This will incur a cost of Rs. 1100 to 7500 that shall vary depending on whether you want to receive a public notice or not or whether you are an NRI, etc. The payment can be made via postal/demand draft or cash. The documents are to be sent at the office of Controller of Publication, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-11005.

Name change by celebrity in India: Example

In Bollywood there is a trend to change names and adopt stylish, easy to remember names. There are many stars who have changed their names for various reasons. Saif Ali Khan’s real name is Sajid Ali Khan and it was revealed recently when copy of marriage certificate with Kareena Kapur went viral on the internet.

Conclusion

Ones’ name is a vital part of identity, but still if one is willing to change name for the reasons specified above, it can be done. The only requirement is to change name as per the government-specified name changing process. The legal procedure must be duly followed to change name.

FAQs

Q1: Are there any restrictions to name change?

Name change is not allowed if you want to hide your identity.

Name change is not allowed to avoid your debt, liabilities or escape from legal issues.

The Court will not allow you to change the name to that of a famous personality unless you prove that you have no intention to mislead anyone.

The name should not be obscene or offensive.

Q2: Who can change names in India?

One must be an Indian.

Must have a legitimate government ID.

There has to be a valid reason for the name change.

The applicant should have attained 18 years of age. Minors should be accompanied by their parents while visiting a government agency. 

Q3: Who can apply for name change?

You can do it for yourself

A guardian can apply for a minor

Husband or wife, on behalf of the other.

A family relative 

Q4: What can be valid reasons for name change?

It could be marriage, divorce, gender change, error in birth certificate, religious reasons, adoption, etc.

Q5: What are the major steps to be undertaken to get a name change?

One has to submit an affidavit, get an advertisement in two newspapers notifying the change in name, and then publish it in the Gazette of India.

Finally, 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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