Name Change of Minor in India: Complete Guide

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Unlock a Brighter Future for Your Child with a Legal Name Change - Transform Your Child's Identity Today!

Changing a minor’s name in India is a fully legal and common process when done correctly. Whether you want to correct a spelling mistake, add a surname, change after divorce, support gender affirmation, or simply give your child a name you love, this guide covers every step, document, fee, sample, and state-specific rule

Reasons Parents Change a Minor’s Name

Correction of spelling or clerical errors in birth certificate
Cultural, religious, or numerological preference
Adding or changing surname after remarriage, divorce, or adoption
Gender identity affirmation
Avoiding stigma or discrimination linked to the original name
Honouring family members or fresh start after major life events

Courts and Registrars accept all the above provided the change is in the best interest of the child.

Types of Name Change Possible for Minors in India

First name only
Surname only
Complete name (first + surname)
Combining parents’ names
Legalising a nickname

People Also Read: How to Legally Change Your Name

Legal Framework & Eligibility for Name Change of Minor in India

Minor = below 18 years (Indian Majority Act, 1875)
Both parents’ consent is normally required
Single parent or guardian can apply with court permission in cases of abandonment, sole custody, death, or untraceability of the other parent
No upper or lower age limit within 18 years

Step-by-Step Procedure for Name Change of Minor in India

Step 1 – Draft & Notarize the Affidavit (Undertaking)

Use ₹10–50 stamp paper
Mention old name, new name, child’s date of birth & age, full residential address, reason, and guardian details
Get it notarized (₹50–250)

Step 2 – Newspaper Publication

Publish in one leading daily newspaper (English or regional language)
Many parents publish in two for extra safety, not mandatory
Keep the full original newspaper page

Step 3 – Prepare Gazette Documents (Central Gazette – Part IV)

Submit the following to Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054 OR online at egazette.gov.in:

Request letter + ₹1,700 fee (₹5,100 for NRIs living abroad) via bharatkosh.gov.in
Original newspaper (full page)
Prescribed proforma in duplicate (typed, signed by guardian + 2 witnesses) → specimen given below
CD containing only the print matter in MS-Word (no witness portion; type guardian name instead of signature)
Certificate declaring hard copy and soft copy are identical
Two self-attested passport-size photos each of guardian and child
Self-attested photo ID & address proof of guardian
Notarized affidavit

Documents must not be older than 1 year | All originals are non-returnable

Step 4 – Gazette Publication

Processing time: 2–4 weeks
100% digital, download from egazette.gov.in (no hard copy sent)
Search method: Weekly Gazette → Part IV → Saturday to Saturday dates → Ctrl+F your child’s old/new name

Step 5 – Update Birth Certificate

Apply at local Registrar of Births & Deaths or online via crsorgi.gov.in / state portal
For babies under 1 year or minor spelling corrections → no Gazette needed in most states
For major changes → submit Gazette + affidavit + IDs
Fee: ₹50–500 | Time: 7–30 days

Step 6 – Update Other Documents

Aadhaar → uidai.gov.in Passport → passportindia.gov.in (re-issue) School → submit Gazette + updated birth certificate

People Also Read: Name Change of Adult After Divorce

Ready for a Name Change of your Minor Child? We Can Help! - Professional Name Change Services: Let Us Simplify the Process for You.

Sample of Central Gazette Notification

Sample of Templates for Name Change of Minor in India (Ready-to-Use)

1. Affidavit for Minor Name Change (English)

AFFIDAVIT

I, [Full Name of Father/Mother/Guardian], son/daughter/wife of [Father’s/Husband’s Name], aged __ years, residing at [Full Residential Address], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath as under:

1. That I am the biological father/mother/legal guardian of minor child namely [Old Full Name of Child], aged __ years, born on [Date of Birth] at [Place of Birth].

2. That the said minor child is presently known by the name [Old Full Name] as appearing in his/her Birth Certificate/Aadhaar/School records.

3. That for the betterment and welfare of the minor child, I have decided to change the name of my minor child from [Old Full Name] to [New Full Name].

4. That henceforth the minor child shall be known as [New Full Name] for all purposes and intentions.

5. That the above name change is being done with my free will and consent and there is no fraud, misrepresentation or coercion.

6. That no legal proceedings are pending against the minor child or myself in respect of the said name change.

7. I undertake to update all official documents accordingly.

DEPONENT

VERIFICATION
I, the above-named deponent, do hereby verify that the contents of paras 1 to 7 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Verified at [City] on this __ day of __________, 2025.

DEPONENT

नाबालिग के नाम परिवर्तन के लिए शपथ-पत्र (हिंदी)

शपथ-पत्र

मैं [अभिभावक का पूरा नाम] पुत्र/पुत्री/पत्नी [पिता/पति का नाम] निवासी [पूरा आवासीय पता, पिन कोड सहित], आयु __ वर्ष, शपथपूर्वक निम्नलिखित घोषणा करता/करती हूँ:

1. कि मैं नाबालिग बच्चे/बच्ची [बच्चे का पुराना पूरा नाम] का जैविक पिता/माता/कानूनी अभिभावक हूँ, जिसकी जन्म तिथि [जन्म तिथि] है तथा जिसका जन्म [जन्म स्थान] में हुआ था।

2. कि उक्त नाबालिग बच्चा/बच्ची वर्तमान में [पुराना पूरा नाम] के नाम से जाना जाता है, जो उसके/उसकी जन्म प्रमाण-पत्र/आधार कार्ड/स्कूल रिकॉर्ड में दर्ज है।

3. कि नाबालिग के कल्याण एवं उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए मैंने उसके/उसकी नाम [पुराना पूरा नाम] से बदलकर [नया पूरा नाम] करने का निर्णय लिया है।

4. कि अब से उक्त नाबालिग बच्चा/बच्ची सभी उद्देश्यों एवं इरादों के लिए [नया पूरा नाम] के नाम से ही जाना जाएगा।

5. कि यह नाम परिवर्तन मेरी स्वतंत्र इच्छा, पूर्ण सहमति एवं बिना किसी दबाव, धोखाधड़ी या जबरदस्ती के किया जा रहा है।

6. कि नाबालिग बच्चे या मेरे विरुद्ध इस नाम परिवर्तन के संबंध में कोई कानूनी कार्यवाही लंबित नहीं है।

7. कि मैं सभी सरकारी दस्तावेजों को यथाशीघ्र अपडेट कराने का वचन देता/देती हूँ।

शपथकर्ता

सत्यापन  
मैं उपरोक्त नामित शपथकर्ता सत्यापित करता/करती हूँ कि उपर्युक्त पैरा 1 से 7 तक की सामग्री मेरे ज्ञान एवं विश्वास के अनुसार सत्य एवं सही है।  
स्थान: ___________  
तारीख: ___________, 2025

शपथकर्ता के हस्ताक्षर  
नाम: ____________________  
मोबाइल: _________________

2. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Other Parent

NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE

I, [Full Name of Father/Mother], son/daughter of [Grandfather’s Name], aged __ years, residing at [Full Address], do hereby state on oath:

1. That I am the biological father/mother of minor child [Old Full Name], born on [DOB].

2. That the other parent/legal guardian namely [Name of Applicant Parent] has proposed to change the name of our minor child from [Old Name] to [New Name].

3. That I have no objection whatsoever if the name of my minor child is changed to [New Full Name].

4. That this NOC is being given out of my free will and without any pressure or coercion.

Place: ___________  
Date: ___________  

Signature  
Name: [Full Name]  
Mobile: ___________

3. Newspaper Advertisement Format (Exact Wording Accepted by Gazette Dept.)

PUBLIC NOTICE

My minor son/daughter [Old Full Name], aged __ years, son/daughter of [Father’s Name] & [Mother’s Name], resident of [Full Residential Address], shall henceforth be known as [New Full Name] vide affidavit dated __________ before Notary Public, [City].

[Guardian’s Full Name]  
Father/Mother/Legal Guardian  
Mobile: ___________

(Place this in any leading daily, full page must be submitted)

4. Gazette Proforma – Exact Specimen (Type in MS-Word, submit two copies + CD)

I, [Guardian Full Name] son of/wife of [Father’s/Husband’s Name] residing at [Complete Address with PIN] have changed the name of my minor son/daughter [Old Full Name] aged [Age in years] and he/she shall hereafter be known as [New Full Name].

It is certified that I have complied with other legal requirements in this connection.

Signature of Guardian  
(Full Name of Guardian)

Witness No.1               Witness No.2
Signature: ________        Signature: ________
Name: _____________       Name: _____________
Address: __________       Address: __________
Mobile: ___________        Mobile: ___________

5. Hard Copy / Soft Copy Similarity Certificate

CERTIFICATE

I, [Guardian Full Name], resident of [Full Address], do hereby solemnly declare that:

The contents of the hard copy (printed proforma) and soft copy (submitted in CD in MS-Word format) are exactly identical in every respect and there is no difference whatsoever between the two.

I fully understand that I shall be solely responsible for any mismatch, error or discrepancy found later.

Place: ___________
Date: ___________

Signature of Guardian  
Name: ____________________
Mobile: ___________________

Gazette Fees & Payment

Category	Fee	Payment Portal
Residents of India	₹1,700	bharatkosh.gov.in
Indians living abroad	₹5,100	bharatkosh.gov.in
State Gazette (optional)	₹200–700	Varies by state

State-wise Quick Reference Table

State	Newspaper	Court Needed?	Online Birth Portal	Avg. Total Cost
Maharashtra	1	Rarely (under 5 yrs)	crs.maharashtra.gov.in	₹2,000–3,500
Delhi	1	Only if contested	edistrict.delhi.gov.in	₹2,500–4,000
Karnataka	1	No (non-contested)	sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in	₹2,000–3,000
Tamil Nadu	1	Rarely	crs.tn.gov.in	₹1,800–3,200
Uttar Pradesh	1	Surname changes	e-district.up.gov.in	₹2,500–4,500
West Bengal	1	Only if contested	wbregistration.gov.in	₹2,000–3,500

Special Situations Handled

Without father’s consent → possible with court order (sole custody, abandonment, etc.)
After adoption → include adoption deed
Gender affirmation → courts fast-track with medical certificate
NRI parents → attest documents at Indian Embassy/Consulate

Total Cost & Timeline

Total cost: ₹3,000–7,000 (DIY)
With lawyer/assistance: ₹12,000–25,000
Timeline: 6–12 weeks end-to-end

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Name Change Office Address of Central Government

The government gazette office or Central Gazette office is located in North Delhi and the Official Address is:

Government of India
Department of Publication,
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Civil Lines, Delhi-110054.
Telephone No.: 011-23817823, 23819689
Toll Free No.: 1800-11-3765
Fax No: 011-23817846
Email: acop-dep@nic.in | pub.dep@nic.in

This office handles the official Gazette, where all name change notifications are published. The process involves submitting your application, required documents, and fees to this office for review and publication.

Common Mistakes and Legal Consequences

Even small errors can delay the process by months or make the entire name change invalid. Here are the most frequent pitfalls and their real-world impact:

Mistake	Consequence	How to Avoid
Submitting only affidavit (no Gazette)	Birth certificate, Aadhaar, passport, school refuse to update	Always complete Gazette Part-IV publication
Publishing in two local papers instead of one leading daily	Gazette department rejects the application	Use one widely circulated newspaper (e.g., Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar)
Wrong proforma / missing witnesses / no CD	Application returned unrejected	Use the exact specimen given above + submit CD
Hard copy ≠ soft copy	Application rejected + no refund	Sign the similarity certificate
Documents older than 1 year	Straight rejection	Prepare everything fresh
Not updating birth certificate first	Aadhaar & passport updates get stuck forever	Update birth certificate immediately after Gazette
Skipping court when one parent objects or is untraceable	Other parent can legally challenge later	File a simple petition in family/district court for permission
Using an agent who submits fake newspaper clippings	Risk of fraud charges + permanent blacklisting	Do it yourself or use only verified platforms like ezyLegal

Following the checklist and templates provided above eliminates 99% of rejections.

Let Us Guide You Through the Name Change Process of Your Minor Child - Navigate the Name Change Journey with Confidence- Trust Our Expertise.

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to change your minor’s name legally in India:

Exact Gazette-compliant templates (free download)
Updated 2025 fees (₹1,700 central Gazette)
Step-by-step checklist that eliminates 99% of rejections
State-wise shortcuts and special-situation guidance

95% of parents who follow this guide complete the entire process themselves and save ₹15,000–20,000.

Want it done in 45–60 days with zero risk of rejection?
Let ezyLegal handle the complete process – affidavit → newspaper → Gazette – all online, across every state.

Start your minor’s name change today

Name Change of Minor Services by ezyLegal in Major Cities of India

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Process of Changing the Name of a Minor in India

Q1. What is the legal age for a minor’s name change?

Ans1. Any child under 18; no minimum age, handled by guardians.

Q2. Is consent from both parents mandatory?

Ans2. Typically, yes; courts may waive for sole custody or abandonment with proof.

Q3. What documents are needed?

Ans3. Birth certificate, IDs, affidavit, newspaper page, proforma, CD, hard/soft copy certificate, photos, request letter, fee.

Q4. How long does the process take?

Ans4. 1-3 months; Gazette: 2-4 weeks.

Q5. Can a minor pick their name?

Ans5. Minors suggest preferences; guardians decide based on welfare.

Q6. What’s the court’s role?

Ans6. Approves contested changes, ensuring child’s best interests.

Q7. Is newspaper publication mandatory?

Ans7. Yes, one leading daily suffices; two often used for broader acceptance.

Q8. Can the change be challenged?

Ans8. Yes, during newspaper publication; courts resolve objections.

Q9. Is an affidavit enough?

Ans9. No; requires newspaper ad, proforma, and Gazette.

Q10. How to update school records?

Ans10. Submit Gazette, court order, updated birth certificate; takes 1-2 weeks.

Q11. Can I change without father’s consent post-divorce?

Ans11. Yes, via court petition proving best interests (e.g., sole custody).

Q12. Is Gazette mandatory for birth certificate changes?

Ans12. Not for infants under 1 year or minor corrections; required for major changes.

Q13. How to add a surname to a blank birth certificate?

Ans13. Follow Gazette process; update via Registrar with affidavit.

Q14. How to publish Gazette notification?

Ans14. Submit docs, proforma, and fee to egazette.gov.in or Delhi office.

Q15. What if birth certificate and Aadhaar names differ?

Ans15. Update birth first with Gazette, then Aadhaar.

Q16. How many times can a minor’s name change?

Ans16. No limit; each requires full process.

Q17. Can surname change post-adoption?

Ans17. Yes; include adoption deed in affidavit.

Q18. Is court needed for religious conversion name change?

Ans18. Often yes; include conversion certificate.

Q19. What fees for state vs. central Gazette?

Ans19. State: ₹200-500; Central: ₹1,700 (₹5,100 for NRIs).

Q20. Can minors under 7 skip publication?

Ans20. Possible in some states for privacy; confirm with Registrar.

Q21. How to update passport?

Ans21. Apply for reissue on passportindia.gov.in with Gazette; 30-45 days.

Q22. What if Gazette application is rejected?

Ans22. Correct errors (e.g., incomplete proforma) and resubmit; ensure compliance.

Q23. Are documents returned after submission?

Ans23. No; all documents are non-returnable, so keep copies.

Q24. How to handle NRIs for minor name change?

Ans24. Attest docs via Indian Embassy; submit to Gazette office. Mandatory birth cert for post-2023 births.

Q25. Does name change affect caste certificates?

Ans25. No, if surname doesn’t alter caste indicators; verify with authority.

Q26. Can I change for numerology/astrology?

Ans26. Yes, if justified in affidavit as child-focused.

Q27. What if delays occur in Gazette publication?

Ans27. Department isn’t liable for Press delays; track via egazette.gov.in.

Q28. नाबालिग का नाम कैसे बदलें?

Ans28. शपथ पत्र बनवाएं, एक समाचार पत्र में प्रकाशन करें, प्रोफार्मा और सीडी के साथ गजट कार्यालय में जमा करें। 1-3 माह लगते हैं।

Q29. How to get free affidavit format for minor name change?

Ans29. Download from ezyLegal: Includes English/Hindi versions with witness placeholders. Notarize post-customization.

Q30. What are 2025 Gazette fees for minor name change?

Ans30. ₹1,700 central (₹5,100 NRIs); pay via bharatkosh.gov.in. No hard copies, digital only.

Q31. Minor name change without court in Maharashtra?

Ans31. Yes, for non-contested; affidavit + Gazette suffices. Use crs.maharashtra.gov.in for birth sync.

Q32. Sample NOC for name change without father’s consent?

Ans32. Download ezyLegal template: Declares no objection; attach to court petition if needed.

Q33. How to change minor name online in Tamil Nadu 2025?

Ans33. Via crs.tn.gov.in: Upload affidavit/proforma; Gazette via egazette.gov.in. 10-day processing.

Q34. Does minor name change need Aadhaar update first?

Ans34. No; update post-Gazette. UIDAI accepts birth cert for minors under 18.

Name Change of Minor Services by ezyLegal in Major States of India

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Adv. Parineeti GN

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Parineeti GN is a legal consultant who prioritises ethical and professional conduct. She graduated with (B.A. and LL.B) from the K.L.E. Society Law College. With more than 8 years of experience in handling legal cases independently. She has the potential to understand and explain complicated legal words in simple terms to clients.

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