Changing your name is a significant life event, whether it's due to marriage, divorce, numerology, or simply personal preference. However, ensuring this change is legally recognized across all your official documents, especially your Aadhaar Card, can often feel like navigating a complex maze. The key to a smooth and recognized update is the Gazette Notification for Name Change in Aadhar Card. This official document is often mandatory, particularly for full name changes or if you've reached your update limit.
This blog will guide you through why the Gazette is crucial, the complete Name Change Process in Aadhar Card using this legal proof, and how to get your name published in the Gazette of India.
The Gazette Notification for Name Change is an official public document published by the Department of Publication under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. It serves as irrefutable legal proof that you have officially and legally changed your name.
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) requires this document in specific scenarios for the Name Change Process in Aadhar Card:
For a Full Name Change: If you are changing your first name and/or last name completely (beyond a simple surname change after marriage, though sometimes even that may require it).
When Update Limits are Exceeded: UIDAI typically permits a name update only twice. If you need a third or subsequent change, the Gazette for Name Change in Aadhar Card becomes a mandatory legal requirement for an exception request.
Essentially, the Gazette for Name change validates your identity change nationwide, making the update process for your Aadhaar card and other documents straightforward and legally compliant.
An affidavit and a newspaper advertisement are initial steps in legally changing your name, but the publication in the Central Gazette provides the final, official recognition. The Name Change in Gazette process ensures that your old name and your new name are officially recorded by the government, a crucial step for maintaining consistency across all your vital documents like your Passport, PAN Card, and Bank Accounts.
Before you can update your Aadhaar card, you must complete the steps to get your name published in the Gazette. This entire process can take several weeks but establishes the legal foundation for your new identity.
The first step is to prepare a legal affidavit. This document, notarized by a notary public, must clearly state:
Your Old Name
Your New Name
Your Current Address
The Reason for the Name Change (e.g., marriage, numerology, spelling correction)
You must publish an advertisement regarding your name change in newspaper: one local language daily (published in your state). This serves as a public declaration.
Once the affidavit and newspaper ads are ready, you compile a file and submit your application for the Gazette Notification for Name Change. The required documents typically include:
The notarized Name Change Affidavit.
Original newspaper clippings of the advertisements.
Prescribed proforma/application form.
A CD/DVD containing the soft copy (MS Word) of the matter to be published.
Two passport-sized photographs.
Copy of ID proof (e.g., old Aadhaar, PAN, Passport).
The prescribed fee receipt
You can submit this file in person or via registered post/courier to the Department of Publication, Delhi.
For major changes requiring a Gazette Notification, the update cannot be performed completely through the Online Name Change service of UIDAI. You must visit a nearby Aadhaar Seva Kendra or an authorized Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centre.
Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra: Book an appointment or visit the centre with all required documents.
Fill the Update Form: Obtain and accurately fill out the Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Form.
Submit Documents: Submit your filled form along with the mandatory document set. For a full name change or exception handling, this must include:
Your existing Aadhaar Card copy.
The original/copy of the Gazette Notification for Name Change.
An old Proof of Identity (POI) document that mentions your name as it was previously.
Biometric Verification: Complete the necessary biometric verification.
Pay Fee and Get URN: Pay the nominal update fee (currently ₹50) and receive an acknowledgement slip with a URN (Update Request Number). This URN allows you to track your update status online.
The UIDAI will verify the details against the official Gazette for Name Change, and upon successful verification, your new name will be updated on your Aadhaar card.
The journey to an updated Aadhaar card, while requiring diligence, is made legally secure and official by the Gazette Notification for Name Change in Aadhar Card. While the preliminary steps like the affidavit and newspaper ads are vital, the publication of your new name in the Gazette for Name change provides the definitive legal evidence required by UIDAI, especially for critical or multiple updates. By following the process of obtaining your Gazette Notification for Name Change, you ensure your identity is consistently recognized across every official platform.
Don't let the thought of paperwork deter you from updating your primary identity proof. Start the Gazette process today to ensure a legally recognized Name Change Process in Aadhar Card.
The first step to initiate the Gazette for Name Change process is preparing and notarizing a legal affidavit. This document officially declares your intent to change your name, stating both your old name and your new name along with the specific reason for the change.
No, you cannot. While some preliminary steps for getting the Gazette may involve Online Name Change applications via service providers, the final Name Change Process in Aadhar Card that involves submitting the Gazette Notification for verification must be done offline by visiting a nearby Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
The total time for the Name Change in Gazette process, from preparing the affidavit to receiving the official publication, typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks. After that, the Aadhaar update process itself takes an additional few weeks for verification and card dispatch.
The Gazette for Name change acts as the single, most powerful legal proof of your name change. Once published, you can use this document to update your new name on all other government-issued identity documents like your Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, and driving license, ensuring legal consistency.