Gazette Name Change in Nagaland: Process, Documents, Fees & Online Application

Quick Answer: How Does Gazette Name Change Work in Nagaland?

The Central Gazette process is not a completely online application process. The government fee can be paid through the prescribed online payment system, and the published Gazette can be downloaded from eGazette, but the completed application is submitted personally or sent by post/courier to the Department of Publication in Delhi.

For the adult/major route, the Department’s published rate schedule (rate order dated 19 September 2023) lists ₹1,100 per case for a Change of Name Notice in Gazette of India Part IV. Because government fees can be revised, verify the current applicable amount before making payment.

Gazette Name Change in Nagaland: Important Facts

Particular	Details
Main authority	Department of Publication, Government of India
Gazette	Gazette of India, Part IV
Applicant category covered here	Adult / Major
Minimum age	18 years
Newspaper requirement	One daily local leading newspaper under the adult/major guideline
Prescribed application	Typed proforma in duplicate
Witnesses	Two witnesses
Soft copy	MS Word print matter on CD
Photographs	Two self-attested passport-size photographs
ID proof	Self-attested photo ID
Submission	Personally or by post/courier
Submission address	Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054
Gazette download	eGazette of India
Adult/major published rate	₹1,100 per case; verify the current payable amount

The Department of Publication maintains a dedicated Change of Name/Public Notices section containing separate guidelines for adults, minors, religion changes, surname changes and other categories.

What Is Gazette Name Change?

A Gazette name change is the publication of an individual’s name-change notice in the Gazette of India. For adult/major name changes, the relevant publication is generally in Part IV, which contains advertisements and notices issued by private individuals and private bodies.

The Gazette publication creates an official government publication record of the name change. However, Gazette publication does not automatically update every separate record. After publication, the applicant normally needs to approach the relevant authority or institution to update records such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank records, educational records or employment records.

Example: If an applicant changes the name from “Amit Kumar” to “Amit Kumar Sharma,” the Gazette publication records the change. The applicant may then need to submit the Gazette notification separately when requesting updates to other identity or institutional records.

Is There a Separate Gazette Name Change Process for Nagaland?

For the Central Gazette of India adult/major route, a person residing in Nagaland follows the Department of Publication’s Central Government procedure rather than a separate Nagaland-specific version of the Central Gazette process.

The relevant authority is the Department of Publication, Government of India, and the application is addressed to the Controller of Publications in Civil Lines, Delhi. The Department’s adult guideline does not create a separate Central Gazette filing office in Kohima, Dimapur or another Nagaland city.

Gazette of India and a State Gazette are not interchangeable terms. Before preparing an application, confirm which Gazette route is required for your specific purpose.

What Is the Gazette Name Change Process in Nagaland?

Choose the final name → publish the required newspaper notice → prepare the undertaking and prescribed proforma → prepare the soft copy → attach photographs and ID → pay the applicable fee → submit the complete file → wait for publication → download the Gazette notification.

Step 1: Finalise Your New Name

Decide the exact spelling, spacing, initials and surname before preparing the application. The old name and new name should remain consistent across the undertaking, newspaper notice, prescribed proforma, soft copy and supporting documents.

Example: If the new name is “Riya Sharma,” do not use “Riya S. Sharma” in one document and “Riya Sharma” in another unless the applicable format specifically requires it.

Step 2: Publish the Name Change in a Newspaper

The official adult/major guideline states that the change of name should be advertised in one of the daily local leading newspapers, mentioning the applicant’s father’s/husband’s name and residential address. The original newspaper is then forwarded to the Department of Publication.

One newspaper vs two: Several private websites describe a two-newspaper process involving an English newspaper and a regional-language newspaper. However, the official adult/major Department of Publication guideline specifies one daily local leading newspaper, so “two newspapers are always mandatory” is not an official Central Gazette adult requirement.

Step 3: Prepare the Undertaking

An undertaking is a signed declaration by the applicant confirming the old name, new name and relevant personal details. The official adult/major guideline requires the undertaking to contain the applicant’s old and new name, father’s/husband’s name and residential address, along with a declaration that the stated facts are true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief.

Is a notarised affidavit mandatory? Not universally for the Central Gazette adult/major publication. The official guideline lists an undertaking among the required documents. Many private websites use the term “affidavit” as part of their broader name-change workflow. If another authority, employer or local process separately requires an affidavit, follow that authority’s requirements. See also Name change affidavit in India.

Step 4: Prepare the Prescribed Gazette Proforma

The Department’s adult/major guideline requires the prescribed printing matter to be:

• Computer typed.
• Prepared on separate plain paper.
• Signed by the applicant using the old name.
• Signed with two witnesses.
• Prepared in duplicate.
• Accompanied by the required soft copy.

The official specimen begins with the applicant declaring the old name and stating the new name that the applicant will use thereafter. The spelling in the proforma should match the spelling used throughout the application.

Step 5: Prepare the Soft Copy

The official adult/major guideline requires a CD containing the printing matter in MS Word, excluding the witness portion, with the applicant’s old name typed in the signature position. The applicant must also provide a signed certificate confirming that the contents of the hard copy and soft copy are similar.

Step 6: Attach Photographs and Identity Proof

The official adult/major guideline requires two self-attested passport-size photographs and self-attested photo ID proof. Before submission, check the old name spelling, new name spelling, residential address, father’s/husband’s name where applicable, signature, photograph and ID details.

Step 7: Pay the Applicable Gazette Publication Fee

The Department’s published rate schedule (rate order dated 19 September 2023) lists the following Gazette of India Part IV rates:

Notice type	Published rate
Change of Name Notice — Adult/Major	₹1,100 per case
Change of Name Notice — Minor	₹1,700 per case
Public Notice	₹1,400 per case
Adoption Notice	₹1,700 per case
Change of Religion	₹1,700 per case
Indian living abroad — Adult/Major	₹3,500 per case
Indian living abroad — Minor	₹5,100 per case

Government fees can be revised, so verify the applicable current rate before payment. See the Department’s Gazette rates page.

The Gazette publication fee is only one possible component of the overall cost. The total expense may also include newspaper advertisement charges, notary or affidavit expenses where separately applicable, postage or courier, photocopy/printing costs and optional private documentation assistance. A private service fee is not the same as the Government Gazette publication fee.

Step 8: Submit the Application

The official guideline states that the required documents, publication charges, forwarding letter and photo ID should be addressed to:

Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054

The application may be submitted personally or sent by post/courier. The guideline also states that applications submitted through agents or advocates are not permissible channels.

The Department states that documents submitted with the application are not returned, including original documents or photocopies. Keep complete copies of everything before submission. The guideline also states that the documents should not be older than one year.

Step 9: Government Scrutiny and Gazette Publication

After a complete application is received, the request is sent for notification to the relevant Government of India Press. The Department states that it is not responsible for printing delays at the concerned Press.

Publication is not automatic merely because an application has been sent. The Controller of Publications reserves the right to reject material that is incomplete, vague, unlawful or misleading, so treat document consistency and completeness as a critical part of the process.

Step 10: Download the Gazette Notification Online

After publication, the Gazette can be obtained through the eGazette of India website:

1. Search the Gazette.
2. Select Weekly Gazette.
3. Select Part IV.
4. Select the relevant Saturday/date range.
5. Download the relevant PDF.
6. Use Ctrl + F to search the old or new name.
7. Download and retain the complete Gazette issue.

The Department states that the downloaded Gazette copy does not require certification from the Department.

Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in Nagaland

Document	Requirement
Undertaking	Signed by applicant
Original newspaper	Required
Prescribed proforma	Typed, in duplicate
Witnesses	Two witnesses
MS Word soft copy	Supplied on CD
Passport photographs	Two self-attested photographs
Photo ID	Self-attested copy
Hard/soft copy certificate	Signed by applicant
Request letter	Required
Government publication fee	Applicable fee

Special categories such as minors, Central Government employees, Indians living abroad, religion changes and other surname-related cases can have different requirements. For a fuller checklist, read Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in India.

Gazette Name Change for Government Employees in Nagaland

The Department’s adult/major guideline states that Central Government employees may submit a deed for change of name according to the applicable Ministry of Home Affairs Office Memorandum. A Government employee should therefore check both the applicable employment/service-rule procedure and the Department of Publication Gazette procedure.

Gazette Name Change for Indians Living Abroad

The adult/major guideline states that an Indian living abroad should submit the required deed attested by the respective Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission, in original. The rate schedule lists a separate adult/major rate (₹3,500) for Indians living abroad. See Gazette name change for NRIs.

Gazette Name Change for Minors

A minor’s Gazette name-change procedure is not identical to the adult/major process. The Department of Publication maintains a separate guideline for Change of Name – Minor; parents or guardians should use it rather than copying the adult checklist. See Gazette name change for a minor child.

What Happens After Gazette Publication?

After obtaining the Gazette notification, an applicant may need to approach relevant organisations separately, such as:

• Aadhaar authority
• PAN authority
• Passport authority
• Banks
• Insurance providers
• Educational institutions
• Employer or HR department
• Driving licence authority
• Voter records
• Property or other institutional records

Each organisation can have its own documentary requirements. For example, if a person’s Gazette notification records the change from Rahul Das to Rahul D. Sharma, the Gazette can be submitted as supporting documentation, but the receiving authority may still require additional identity documents or forms.

Gazette Name Change in Nagaland: Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming Two Newspapers Are Always Mandatory

The official adult/major guideline says one daily local leading newspaper.

2. Treating an Affidavit as the Official Adult Gazette Requirement

The official adult guideline specifically lists an undertaking. Other processes may require an affidavit, but those requirements should not be merged.

3. Assuming the Entire Process Is Online

Online payment and eGazette download do not mean that the application itself is submitted through an online upload form.

4. Using Different Spellings

The old name and new name should be checked across every document before submission.

5. Sending Originals Without Keeping Copies

The Department states that submitted documents are not returned.

6. Relying on an Old Fee Figure Without Verification

The adult guideline contains a historical ₹1,100 reference for 2016–17, while the Department’s September 2023 rate schedule also lists ₹1,100 for an Adult/Major notice. Verify the current payable amount before payment.

7. Assuming Gazette Publication Automatically Changes All Records

Gazette publication creates the publication record. Other organisations can have separate update procedures.

Gazette Name Change in Nagaland: Final Checklist

Name

• Old name is correct everywhere.
• New name is final.
• Spelling and spacing are consistent.

Newspaper

• Required newspaper notice has been published.
• Original newspaper is available.
• Father’s/husband’s name and residential address are included where required.

Gazette Documents

• Undertaking prepared and signed.
• Prescribed proforma typed.
• Two copies prepared.
• Two witnesses’ details and signatures completed.
• MS Word soft copy prepared.
• Hard-copy/soft-copy similarity certificate prepared.
• Two self-attested photographs attached.
• Self-attested photo ID attached.
• Request letter prepared.
• Applicable publication fee paid.

Submission

• Documents addressed to the Controller of Publications.
• Complete copies retained for personal records.
• Post/courier tracking retained if submitted by post.

After Publication

• Gazette issue downloaded.
• Old/new name checked in the published PDF.
• Gazette copy safely stored.
• Separate record-update applications prepared where required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Central Gazette vs Common Online Advice

Issue	Official adult/major guideline	Common third-party advice
Newspaper	One daily local leading newspaper	Many sites say two newspapers
Gazette document	Signed undertaking	Many sites call an affidavit mandatory
Proforma	Typed, duplicate, two witnesses	Often described differently
Soft copy	MS Word on CD	Some sites mention CD/pen drive interchangeably
Submission	Personally or post/courier	Some sites describe service-provider submission
Online application	Not a complete online filing route	Often marketed as “online name change”
Gazette download	eGazette online	Generally consistent
Adult published rate	₹1,100 per case in published rate schedule	Private service prices vary

Best practice: When a private website conflicts with the official Department of Publication guideline, use the latest applicable government instruction as the primary source.

Final Takeaway

For an adult name change in Nagaland through the Central Gazette of India, the key authority is the Department of Publication, Government of India. The official adult/major process requires a signed undertaking, original newspaper, typed prescribed proforma with two witnesses, MS Word soft copy, photographs, self-attested ID, a hard-copy/soft-copy similarity certificate, request letter and applicable fee. The completed file is submitted personally or by post/courier to the Department of Publication in Civil Lines, Delhi.

The most important practical point is to follow the official adult/major guideline rather than blindly copying common online checklists. After publication, download and preserve the Gazette notification from eGazette of India and use it as supporting documentation when updating other records. If you need help with the paperwork, contact NameChangeDesk.

Official sources

• Department of Publication — Change of Name/Public Notices
• Department of Publication — Gazette rates
• eGazette of India