Quick answer
If you live in Punjab and want to change your name through a Gazette notification, you should first identify the correct government procedure for your situation. For an ordinary individual application, the Central Gazette of India is the route to check first. Punjab also publishes its own Government Gazette, with a documented name-change procedure for serving government employees.
The Gazette of India, Part IV is published through the Government of India’s Department of Publication, which provides official guidelines for individual name-change notices. Punjab’s published departmental service document describes a separate procedure for government employees who need a name-change notification. These procedures should not be confused.
This guide explains the Central Gazette process, the documents listed in the official adult application guidelines, government publication fees, submission requirements, and the steps to take after publication.
Which Gazette Should You Use for a Name Change in Punjab?
For an ordinary individual name-change application, consult the Department of Publication’s Central Gazette guidelines first. Punjab’s published state service document specifically describes a procedure for government employees; we could not confirm an equivalent general public application route from official Punjab sources.
Gazette of India for individual name changes
The Department of Publication publishes individual name-change notices in Part IV of the Gazette of India. Its official adult/major guideline explains the undertaking, newspaper notice, prescribed application material, supporting documents, fee, and submission procedure.
Official resources:
Use the current instructions published by the Department of Publication before preparing or submitting your application.
Punjab Government Gazette for government employees
Punjab has its own Government Gazette. The Punjab Department of Printing and Stationery’s published service document describes a name-change notification procedure for government employees.
According to that document, a government employee must complete the prescribed formalities, obtain approval from the parent department, and submit the required documents for publication through the state department’s procedure.
The document lists a fee of ₹160, but it was published in 2020. Confirm the current fee, submission location, and operational requirements directly with the department before relying on that amount.
Source: Punjab Government — Services Provided by the Printing and Stationery Department.
Is the Chandigarh e-Gazette the same as the Punjab Gazette?
No. Punjab and Chandigarh have separate administrative arrangements and publication systems. A Chandigarh-specific application procedure should not automatically be treated as the correct route for a person whose residence and application fall under Punjab.
Check the applicable authority’s eligibility requirements before submitting documents or paying a fee. For how the two systems differ in general, see Central Gazette vs State Gazette.
How to Change Your Name Through the Gazette in Punjab
For an adult applying through the Central Gazette, the Department of Publication’s published guideline requires an undertaking, a newspaper notice, prescribed printing material, supporting documents, and the applicable publication fee.
Step 1: Confirm the exact name you want to use
Decide the spelling and format of your proposed name before preparing the application.
Check the old name, new name, residential address, and the relevant family details against your supporting documents. Keep the information consistent throughout the undertaking, newspaper notice, prescribed proforma, and request letter.
Step 2: Prepare the undertaking and prescribed application material
The Central Gazette adult/major guideline specifies an undertaking signed by the applicant that identifies the old and new names and includes the required personal and address details.
Do not assume that a notarised affidavit is a universal substitute for the prescribed undertaking. The applicable document requirements depend on the procedure and the applicant’s circumstances.
Step 3: Publish the newspaper notice
The Department of Publication’s published adult/major guideline states that the name change should be advertised in one daily local leading newspaper. The notice must include the applicant’s father’s or husband’s name and residential address.
The guideline requires the original newspaper to be forwarded with the application. Keep the original newspaper page containing the notice and verify all personal details before publication.
This is the requirement stated in the published Central Gazette adult guideline. Do not automatically apply it to a different government procedure or special category.
Step 4: Prepare the supporting documents
The Department of Publication’s published adult/major guideline lists the following documents:
- A signed undertaking.
- The original newspaper containing the notice.
- The prescribed proforma in duplicate, typed and signed by the applicant and two witnesses.
- An electronic copy of the printing material in the prescribed format.
- Two self-attested passport-size photographs.
- A self-attested photocopy of identity proof.
- A signed certificate confirming that the hard copy and electronic copy contain the same material.
- A request letter with the applicable fee.
The published guideline specifies a CD containing the electronic printing material. Because this instruction may reflect an older submission format, confirm with the Department of Publication whether a physical CD is still required before preparing the application.
Source: Official Adult/Major Name-Change Guidelines.
Step 5: Pay the applicable government publication fee
The Department of Publication’s rate-revision order dated 19 September 2023 lists the following charges for notices in the Gazette of India, Part IV:
| Application category | Published government fee |
|---|---|
| Adult/major name change | ₹1,100 |
| Minor name change | ₹1,700 |
| Name change for an Indian applicant living abroad | ₹3,500 |
Source: Department of Publication — Revised Gazette Rates.
These amounts are from the published 2023 rate order. Verify the applicable fee and payment instructions with the Department before making payment. Newspaper advertising, document preparation, postage, and optional private assistance are separate expenses.
Step 6: Submit the application through the permitted channel
The published Central Gazette adult guideline identifies the Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054, as the submission authority.
The guideline states that applications may be submitted personally or sent by post/courier. It also expressly states that applications submitted through agents or advocates are not accepted.
This means a private service may help you understand or prepare the paperwork, but you must follow the government’s own rules for submitting the application. Do not assume that paying an agent means the agent can file the application on your behalf.
Confirm the latest submission address and requirements before sending original documents. The published guideline also warns that submitted documents are not returned.
Step 7: Find the published Gazette notification
After submission, check the official Gazette of India for the published notice. Submission alone does not prove that publication has occurred.
The Department of Publication’s published instructions explain how to search the weekly Gazette, select Part IV, locate the relevant publication period, download the PDF, and search for the old or new name.
Use the official website: egazette.gov.in.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in Punjab
For an adult Central Gazette application, the published official checklist is:
| Document | What the guideline specifies |
|---|---|
| Undertaking | Signed by the applicant |
| Newspaper | Original newspaper containing the notice |
| Prescribed proforma | Typed in duplicate, signed by the applicant and two witnesses |
| Electronic printing material | In the prescribed format |
| Photographs | Two self-attested passport-size photographs |
| Identity proof | Self-attested photocopy |
| Matching-copy certificate | Signed confirmation that hard and electronic copies match |
| Request letter | Submitted with the applicable fee |
The checklist above reflects the Department of Publication’s published adult/major guideline. Applicants in special categories must check the corresponding instructions rather than assuming that the adult checklist is sufficient.
The Department maintains separate guidelines for minors, adoption, religion changes, different surnames, and name-and-gender changes. See also our documents required for Gazette name change checklist.
Not sure your documents are right?
Tell us your case and we will reply with the documents and next steps that fit it. One mismatch in a name or address can send an application back.
Private documentation help. Not a government office.
Gazette Name Change Fees in Punjab
The Central Gazette publication fee and the total cost of preparing an application are different.
The Department of Publication’s rate order dated 19 September 2023 lists ₹1,100 for an adult/major name-change notice and ₹1,700 for a minor notice. The same order lists ₹3,500 for a name-change notice for an Indian applicant living abroad.
Additional expenses can include newspaper advertising, document preparation, postage, and optional documentation assistance. These amounts vary and are not government publication fees.
Before paying a private service provider, request a breakdown showing which services are included and which charges are separate.
Can You Apply for Gazette Name Change Online in Punjab?
Do not assume that the entire Central Gazette application can be completed online.
The Department of Publication’s published adult guideline states that the application must be submitted personally or by post/courier. It excludes submission through agents and advocates.
Online government resources can help you find instructions and access published notifications. The Department also provides payment guidance through the government payment system. However, online access to instructions or payment does not mean that the complete application can be submitted through an online form.
Check the current official instructions before deciding how to prepare and submit your application.
How to Download Your Gazette Name-Change Notification
Once the notice has been published, use the official Gazette of India website to locate it.
- Open egazette.gov.in.
- Select the weekly Gazette category.
- Select Part IV.
- Choose the relevant publication period.
- Open the appropriate PDF.
- Search for your old or new name.
- Save the complete published Gazette PDF for your records.
The Department of Publication’s published guideline explains this general search procedure. If the notification cannot be found, check the publication period and application details before assuming that the application has been rejected.
What Should You Do After Gazette Publication?
Gazette publication and updating identity records are separate steps. A Gazette notification does not, by itself, confirm that Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, employer, and educational records have all been updated.
Update Aadhaar
UIDAI maintains separate requirements for Aadhaar updates. Check the current UIDAI instructions to determine which documents are accepted for your particular name change.
Official resource: UIDAI — Enrolment and Updates.
Update PAN
PAN corrections and name updates follow a separate process. Check the applicable authorised PAN service provider’s current instructions and prepare the required supporting documents.
Update your passport
Passport name-change requirements are determined by the applicable Passport Seva instructions. A Ministry of External Affairs memorandum dated April 2026 states that the Gazette of India (Central Government) is an acceptable document for passport name changes alongside the other prescribed documentation.
Official source: Ministry of External Affairs — Passport Name-Change Memorandum.
Check the latest passport requirements for your particular case before applying for re-issue.
Update other records
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to contact your bank, employer, insurer, educational institution, or another organisation that maintains records under your former name. Each organisation may have its own requirements.
Special Cases: Which Procedure Applies?
Name change after marriage
A name change after marriage may require supporting marriage documentation, depending on the record being updated and the applicable procedure. Check the requirements of the relevant authority before preparing your application.
Name change for a minor
Do not use the adult checklist as a substitute for the minor application procedure. The Department of Publication maintains separate guidelines for minors. See Gazette name change for a minor child.
Name change for Punjab government employees
Serving Punjab government employees should consult their parent department and the Punjab Department of Printing and Stationery for the applicable state procedure. Confirm the current fee and submission requirements directly with the department.
Adoption, religion, and other special circumstances
Adoption, changes involving religion or gender, and certain surname changes may have specific requirements. Consult the corresponding official guideline before preparing the application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing the wrong Gazette route: Confirm whether the ordinary Central Gazette process or a specific government-employee procedure applies to you.
- Using inconsistent personal details: Check that the old name, new name, address, and other required details match across the application documents.
- Assuming that every procedure has the same newspaper requirement: Follow the instructions for the particular authority and applicant category.
- Confusing government fees with total expenses: Separate the official publication fee from newspaper advertising and private service charges.
- Submitting an incomplete application: Use the official checklist and confirm any requirements that may have changed since the published guideline was issued.
- Assuming publication automatically updates identity records: Contact each relevant authority and follow its separate update process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Help Preparing Your Name-Change Documents
Preparing a name-change application involves checking the prescribed paperwork, keeping personal details consistent, and understanding the applicable government instructions.
NameChangeDesk can help you understand the documentation process and prepare or check relevant paperwork before submission.
NameChangeDesk is a private documentation-assistance service, not a government publication authority. The official government procedure determines the submission requirements and publication decision. Applicants must follow the permitted submission channel and the Department of Publication’s instructions.
Before proceeding, confirm the scope of any private assistance and the charges involved.
The key to a smoother application is to identify the correct Gazette route, use the current official checklist, and verify the requirements before submitting your documents.
Not sure which process applies to you?
Tell us about your case and we’ll reply with the documents and steps that apply to you.
This article is general information, not legal advice. NameChangeDesk is a private service and is not affiliated with the Government of India or any state authority.