Looking for Gazette name change fees? Here is a breakdown of the total cost that can incur during the process of Gazette notification.
Updating your social media profile or using a new name isn’t enough to change your name legally in India. You must complete an affidavit, publish newspaper advertisements, and obtain a Gazette notification to use it officially.
Gazette Name Change Fees
You must also pay Gazette name change fees to obtain a Gazette notification.
Although the Name Change Gazette Fees are official fees for a Gazette publication, there are other forms of charges for changing your name. We’ll explore the types of Gazette publication fees & its complete cost today.
Name Change Gazette Fees: Government Charges
The government fees depend on the application’s category. Common categories for Gazette notification and their fees are:
| Types of name change | Fees |
| Adult name change Gazette fees | ₹1,100 |
| Minor name change Gazette fees | ₹1,700 |
| Name correction Gazette fees | ₹1,400 |
| Surname change after marriage (D/o & W/o) | ₹1,350 |
These amounts are not a substitute for the official fee schedule. Gazette rate information and payment guidance can be obtained from the Department of Publication. BharatKosh should be used for depositing government fees.
Gazette name change Fees: Other Expenses
The government fees are not enough to complete the Gazette notification process. Applicants may also need to pay these charges:
1. Affidavit and Notary Charges
Your existing name, proposed name, address, and reason for the change should be present in the name change affidavit. Stamp paper and notarisation expenses may cost you around ₹300 to ₹1,00 based on your location & requirements.
2. Newspaper Advertisement Charges
A name change advertisement is usually needed for Gazette Name Change. The applicant must publish the Name change Ad in any leading local daily newspaper. Its cost would range from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 based on the newspaper & advertisement size.
3. Printing, Photographs and Courier
There’s also a separate cost for photocopies, passport-size photographs, printing, digital document preparation, and courier charges. These expenses may differ based on the application method and documents required.
4. Gazette file drafting (Professional Fees)
The expert who will draft your Gazette file including your main matter, request letter, witnesses proforma, CD and CD certificate will charge you around Rs. 3,000 – 5,000.
You may draft it at your own with the help of formats given on the Internet, but a minor error can make your file and efforts rejected by the Department and you will end up receiving an objection letter. So, it’s always recommended to get help from an expert or lawyer for the whole process till publication.
Total Gazette Name Change Fees
A self-managed application may cost around ₹5,400–₹10,100 for a standard adult name change when the government charges, affidavit expenses, newspaper advertisements, and basic document preparation are included.
Some professional services also cost around ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 or even more. The services included, the type of application, and the provider’s charges play an important role in deciding the final Gazette Name Change Fees.
| Expenses | Approx cost |
| Government gazette fee | ₹1,100 for an adult |
| Affidavit | ₹300 to ₹1000 |
| Newspaper ads | ₹1000 to ₹3000 |
| Professional Fees | ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 |
TOTAL Name Change Gazette Fees for an Adult: Rs. 5400 to 10,00 Approximate.
These numbers are only planning estimates. They aren’t guaranteed quotations. This is therefore you should verify the exact government fees & other expenses before starting the process.
Types of Name Change Gazette Fees
The Gazette Name Change Fees might differ based on your situation. Common Gazette types are:
- Adult name change: It requires ₹1100 to change a full name, correct a spelling, or adopt a different surname.
- Minor’s name change: Parents or legal guardians generally submit an application for children. It costs around ₹1700 in government fees only because there are separate charges for other processes.
- Surname change after marriage: A marriage-related document is generally needed to change your surname after marriage. For this gazette notification, govt. fee is Rs 1350 (Rs.250 is extra becuase you will be adding two names Daughter of and Wife of in the matter).
Additional Rs. 250 Extra Each for below additions
- Adding more than 1 name in the matter.
- Adding 2 addresses in the matter.
- Adding line “I have changed only my name not religion”.
- Adding ‘Daughter of’ and ‘Wife of’ in the matter.
Read Also,
How to change name in Aadhar card without proof?
How to add Surname in Passport? Without Proof
How to Apply for a Gazette Name Change?
There are three main stages for Gazette Name Change:
- You must initially draft an affidavit with your old name, new name, address, and reason for the change.
- The applicant must then publish the name change advertisement in the newspaper and keep the original copy. Its cutting won’t work for this purpose.
- Complete the prescribed proforma and attach the supporting documents at last. You must then submit the application based on the Department of Publication’s current guidelines after paying the government fees.
Separate official guidance for adult name changes, minor applications, and other categories are available on the official Department of Publication website.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Several weeks may be needed to complete the entire process. Although the affidavit and newspaper publication may often be completed instantly, Gazette processing depends on the department’s workload, document accuracy, and the applicable process.
Around 30 to 45 days are required for Gazette publication. You should only treat this as a planning estimate instead of the guaranteed deadline.
Should You Hire a Professional Name Change Service?
You can even submit your documents & application if you know the exact requirements. Professional help can however be useful for affidavit wording, newspaper advertisements, application forms, or document preparation.
A legal professional can help you with:
- Drafting and notarising the affidavit
- Newspaper advertisement
- Application & supporting documents preparation
- Understanding government payment requirements
- Sharing updates
A professional name change service can only help you with file drafting or preparing your name change documents. You must submit your application by post or personally yourself.
FAQs to Gazette name change fees
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions by applicants related to Name change gazette fees;
What is the government fee for a Gazette name change?
₹1,100 is the Gazette name change fee for an adult name change and ₹1,700 for a minor. It would always be best to verify the applicable amount through the current official payment instructions.
Is the Gazette fee the same as the total name change cost?
No, it is separate from the affidavit, newspaper, printing, courier, and professional service charges.
Where can I check the official Gazette fee?
You must visit the Department of Publication website for Gazette rates and application guidelines.
Conclusion
The government publication charge isn’t enough for Gazette Name Change Fees. There’s also an additional cost for affidavit preparation, newspaper advertisements, printing, and other documentation.
You must confirm the current fee, prepare accurate documents, and follow the official process before starting the process. Reliable professional guidance to know the exact steps and fees for a Gazette Name Change.