Quick answer
A minor child’s name can be changed through the Gazette of India Part IV, and the Department of Publication has a separate procedure for minors. The application is handled by the child’s parent or guardian, rather than using the standard adult name-change procedure.
Newspaper notice → Guardian’s undertaking and proforma → Submission to the Department → Gazette of India Part IV
For the Central Gazette minor procedure, the Department of Publication requires a guardian’s undertaking, an original newspaper page, the prescribed proforma in duplicate with two witnesses, a soft copy of the printing matter, photographs, a hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate, a request letter and the applicable publication fee.
This guide explains the Gazette name change process for a minor child in India, including documents, newspaper publication, submission, publication, downloading the Gazette and what to do after publication.
Important: Government procedures, fees and submission instructions can change. Verify the current requirements with the Department of Publication before submitting an application.
Quick Answer: How Does Gazette Name Change for a Minor Work?
A parent or guardian prepares the minor’s Gazette application and follows the Department of Publication’s specific Guidelines for Change of Name for Minor. The Central procedure covers a child’s name change and the addition or deletion of a surname in Gazette of India Part IV.
The main stages are:
- Confirm that a Gazette name change is appropriate.
- Publish the required notice in one daily leading newspaper.
- Prepare the guardian’s undertaking.
- Complete the prescribed minor-name-change proforma.
- Obtain signatures from two witnesses.
- Prepare the required MS Word soft copy.
- Prepare photographs and photo ID.
- Prepare the request letter and applicable fee.
- Submit the application personally or by post/courier.
- Check the eGazette portal after publication.
The Department’s official minor guideline is the primary source for these Central Gazette requirements.
What Is a Gazette Name Change for a Minor?
A Gazette name change for a minor is the publication of a notice concerning the child’s name in Gazette of India Part IV through the Department of Publication.
The Department’s specific minor guideline covers:
- Change of a minor child’s name
- Addition of a child’s surname
- Deletion of a child’s surname
- Publication in Gazette of India Part IV
- Notification by the child’s father or mother
- Submission by the guardian under the prescribed procedure
The Gazette procedure for a minor is therefore different from the Department’s separate procedure for an adult or major.
Central Gazette vs Adult Gazette Procedure
Do not use an adult Gazette checklist for a minor without checking the minor-specific guideline.
The Department of Publication maintains separate guidelines for Change of Name – Minor and Change of Name – Adult / Major. The adult procedure is covered in our Gazette name change process guide.
Who Can Apply for a Minor’s Gazette Name Change?
The child’s father or mother can notify the name change under the Department of Publication’s minor guideline. The documentation is prepared and signed by the guardian rather than by the minor child.
The prescribed minor proforma identifies the guardian and states the child’s existing name, age and proposed new name.
The proforma also contains spaces for two witnesses, including their:
- Signature
- Full name
- Address
- Mobile number
Does the Child Sign the Gazette Application?
The Department’s minor specimen is written from the guardian’s perspective and contains a Signature of Guardian section.
The minor-name-change proforma is therefore not the same as an adult applicant’s proforma.
When Can a Parent Consider a Minor Name Change?
A parent may need a formal name-change procedure when the child’s name itself is being changed, such as:
- Changing the child’s first name
- Changing the child’s surname
- Adding a surname
- Removing a surname
- Changing the child’s complete name
- Resolving a significant name discrepancy where a formal name change is appropriate
However, a document containing an error does not automatically mean that a Gazette name change is required.
If the problem is a correction to an existing birth, school or other official record, first check whether the authority that issued that record has its own correction procedure.
Name change and record correction are not necessarily the same process.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change of a Minor
For the Central Gazette minor procedure, the Department of Publication’s published guideline lists these core requirements:
| Requirement | Central Minor Gazette Procedure |
|---|---|
| Guardian undertaking | Required |
| Original newspaper | Required |
| Prescribed proforma | Required in duplicate |
| Two witnesses | Required on the proforma |
| Soft copy | Required |
| Guardian photographs | Required |
| Child photograph | Required |
| Hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate | Required |
| Request letter | Required |
| Applicable publication fee | Required |
| Photo ID | Required |
| Document age | Documents must not be older than one year |
The exact requirements for special circumstances can differ. Divorce, adoption, custody and other legal situations should be checked against the applicable procedure rather than automatically treated as ordinary minor name changes.
For the adult checklist and other case types, see documents required for Gazette name change.
1. Guardian’s Undertaking
The guardian must submit an undertaking containing the required particulars.
The Department’s guideline specifies that the undertaking should include the applicant’s particulars, residential address and the child’s age.
Before signing, check:
- Guardian’s name
- Guardian’s address
- Child’s existing name
- Child’s age
- Proposed new name
- Spelling throughout the application
2. Original Newspaper
The Department’s minor guideline requires the child’s name change to be notified in one of the daily leading newspapers.
The newspaper notice must identify the applicant and provide the required information, including:
- Applicant’s name
- Father’s name or husband’s name, where applicable
- Residential address
- Child’s age
The Department requires the full newspaper page containing the notification to be submitted.
Do not replace the required full page with only a cropped advertisement image. For notice wording, see our newspaper advertisement formats.
3. Prescribed Minor Gazette Proforma
The Department provides a specific specimen form for a minor’s name change.
The proforma must be:
- Computer typed
- Prepared on plain paper
- Submitted in duplicate
- Signed by the minor’s guardian
- Signed by two witnesses
The specimen identifies:
- Guardian
- Minor child
- Child’s age
- Existing name
- Proposed name
- Two witnesses
Use the minor-specific proforma rather than modifying an adult Gazette form without checking the official instructions.
4. Two Witnesses
The prescribed minor proforma contains two witness sections.
Each witness section provides space for:
- Signature
- Full name
- Address
- Mobile number
Complete both witness sections before submission.
5. Soft Copy on CD
The Department’s minor guideline contains a specific technical instruction that is easy to miss.
The application requires a CD containing the printing matter in MS Word format.
The CD should contain the printing matter:
- Without the witness portion
- In MS Word format
- With the guardian’s name typed in place of the signature
Do not substitute a PDF or another format unless the Department’s current instructions say so.
6. Photographs
The Department’s guideline distinguishes between personal submission and postal submission.
For personal submission, the guideline states that the applicant should bring:
- Two self-attested passport-size photographs of the applicant/guardian
- One passport-size photograph of the minor child
For an application sent by post, the guideline specifies:
- Two passport-size photographs of the minor’s guardian
- One passport-size photograph of the child
- Copy of photo ID proof
Follow the Department’s current instructions at the time of submission.
7. Hard-Copy and Soft-Copy Matching Certificate
The applicant must provide a certificate declaring that the contents of the hard copy and soft copy are similar.
The Department states that the applicant is responsible for any mismatch or loss in transit.
Before sending the application, compare the hard copy and soft copy line by line.
Check particularly:
Guardian name → Child’s old name → Child’s new name → Child’s age → Address
8. Request Letter and Applicable Fee
The application must include the request letter and the requisite current publication fee.
The Department of Publication’s rate order dated 19 September 2023 lists ₹1,700 for each minor change-of-name notice in Gazette of India Part IV, and ₹5,100 for a minor applying from abroad. See the Department’s Gazette rates page.
The Department’s older minor guideline shows the same ₹1,700 figure, dated to 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017. If you find a different amount on another website, rely on the Department’s current rate order.
The Department provides Gazette rate and payment information through its official website and links to the Bharatkosh/NTRP payment procedure. Verify the amount on the day you pay.
9. Photo ID Proof
The Department’s guideline requires applications to be supported by self-attested photo ID proof of the applicants.
Prepare the applicable photo ID according to the current submission instructions.
10. Document Age Requirement
The Department’s minor guideline states that the documents submitted for the application must not be older than one year.
This is an important requirement to check before dispatching the application.
Do not assume that an old newspaper publication or old supporting document will automatically satisfy the current submission requirement.
Gazette Name Change for a Minor: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Confirm That You Need a Gazette Name Change
First determine whether the child’s situation involves:
- A genuine name change
- Addition of a surname
- Deletion of a surname
- A simple record correction
- Divorce-related circumstances
- Adoption-related circumstances
- Another special legal situation
If an existing document simply contains an error, check the correction procedure of the issuing authority before starting a Gazette name-change application.
Step 2: Finalise the Child’s New Name
Choose the exact spelling of the proposed name before preparing the documents.
For example:
Existing name: Aarav Kumar
Proposed name: Aarav Sharma
Use the same spelling everywhere.
A difference between the newspaper, undertaking, proforma or soft copy can create a document-consistency problem.
Step 3: Publish the Newspaper Notice
Publish the required notice in one daily leading newspaper according to the Central minor guideline.
Keep the complete newspaper page containing the notice.
The Department specifically requires the full page rather than only a newspaper clipping.
Step 4: Prepare the Guardian’s Undertaking
Complete the undertaking with the required guardian and child information.
Check:
- Guardian’s name
- Guardian’s address
- Child’s name
- Child’s age
- Proposed new name
Step 5: Complete the Minor Gazette Proforma
Prepare the prescribed minor proforma on plain paper.
The Department requires the proforma to be computer typed and submitted in duplicate with the guardian’s signature and two witnesses.
Do not substitute an adult proforma simply because it contains similar wording.
Step 6: Prepare the MS Word Soft Copy
Prepare the printing matter in the required MS Word format.
For the CD:
- Include the printing matter
- Exclude the witness portion
- Type the guardian’s name in place of the signature
- Check the hard copy against the soft copy
Step 7: Prepare Photographs and Photo ID
Prepare the photographs required under the applicable submission method.
Also prepare the required self-attested photo ID proof.
Step 8: Prepare the Matching Certificate
Sign the certificate confirming that the hard copy and soft copy contain similar content.
Perform the comparison before signing the certificate.
Step 9: Prepare the Request Letter and Fee
Prepare the forwarding/request letter addressed to the Controller of Publications.
Verify the current publication fee and payment instructions before payment. The Department’s rate order dated 19 September 2023 lists ₹1,700 for a minor’s notice.
Step 10: Submit the Application
The Department’s published minor guideline directs the application to:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054
The guideline states that applications may be:
- Submitted personally
- Sent by post
- Sent by courier
It also states that applications through other channels, including agents and advocates, are not permissible under that procedure.
Keep a complete copy of everything you submit before dispatching the file.
Step 11: Wait for Publication
After a complete application is received, the Department states that the request is sent for notification to the relevant Government of India Press.
The Department also states that it is not responsible for delays in printing by the concerned Press.
For that reason, treat any fixed “30-day” or “45-day” publication promise as an estimate, not an official government timeline.
How to Find a Minor Name Change in the Gazette
The Department’s older minor guideline explains the Gazette search process as:
- Search the Gazette.
- Select Weekly Gazette.
- Select Part IV.
- Select the relevant Saturday/date range.
- Download the required PDF.
- Use the PDF search function to find the old or new name.
- Download and retain the complete Gazette issue.
The Department’s current eGazette portal is available at egazette.gov.in.
The older guideline refers to egazette.nic.in, but the current official eGazette service is hosted at egazette.gov.in.
What should you check in the published Gazette?
Check:
- Child’s old name
- Child’s new name
- Guardian information where applicable
- Publication date
- Gazette issue
- Part IV
- Page/reference information
Save the complete PDF rather than relying only on a screenshot.
How Long Does a Minor Gazette Name Change Take?
There is no fixed, guaranteed processing period for a minor’s Gazette name change.
The Department states that after the application is completed in all respects, the request is sent to the respective Government of India Press for notification. The Department also states that it is not responsible for delays in printing by the concerned Press.
Processing can therefore depend on:
- Completeness of the application
- Accuracy of the submitted documents
- Newspaper compliance
- Hard-copy/soft-copy consistency
- Payment
- Department processing
- Government Press publication
For typical estimates, see Gazette name change fees and timeline.
How Much Does Gazette Name Change for a Minor Cost?
The total cost can include several separate expenses:
| Cost category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Government publication fee | Gazette publication |
| Newspaper cost | Required newspaper notice |
| Document preparation | Printing and preparation |
| Photographs | Required photographs |
| Post/courier | Sending the application |
| Professional assistance | Optional private service |
Is the Gazette fee ₹1,700?
Yes, under the Department of Publication’s rate order dated 19 September 2023, which lists ₹1,700 for each minor change-of-name notice (and ₹5,100 for a minor applying from abroad). The Department’s older minor guideline shows the same figure for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.
Verify the current Gazette rate and payment instructions through the Department of Publication before paying.
Do not confuse the government publication fee with a private service fee. They are separate charges.
Central Gazette vs State Gazette for a Minor
The Central Gazette procedure described on this page is specifically the Gazette of India Part IV procedure administered by the Department of Publication.
A State Gazette can have its own:
- Authority
- Application form
- Document requirements
- Fees
- Newspaper rules
- Submission procedure
- Publication process
The Central Gazette minor checklist is therefore not a universal checklist for every State Gazette in India.
If you are considering a State Gazette, verify the rules of the relevant State authority. See Central Gazette vs State Gazette and our state pages.
Minor Name Change After Divorce
A minor name change connected with divorce or parental circumstances may require a different procedure.
The Department of Publication separately lists Guidelines for Public Notice of change of name of minor after divorce.
If the proposed change involves:
- Divorce
- Separation
- Custody
- A change involving parental details
- A surname dispute
- Court proceedings
check the applicable special procedure before submitting an ordinary minor name-change application.
Where parental rights are disputed, legal advice may also be appropriate.
Minor Name Change After Adoption
Adoption-related name changes should not automatically be treated as ordinary minor name changes.
The Department of Publication separately lists Guidelines for Adoption of Child.
If the child’s proposed name change is connected with adoption, check the adoption documentation and the applicable Gazette procedure before filing.
What Happens After the Gazette Is Published?
Gazette publication records the notification in the Gazette, but it does not mean that every separate government, educational or private record is automatically updated.
After publication, you may need to approach the authority responsible for each record.
| Record | What to check after Gazette publication |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Current UIDAI name-update requirements |
| Passport | Current Passport Seva requirements |
| School records | School and education-board procedure |
| Birth certificate | Birth-registration authority’s correction/amendment procedure |
| Bank records | Bank’s minor-account/KYC requirements |
| Insurance | Insurer’s name-update procedure |
| Other records | Requirements of the relevant authority |
The Gazette should therefore be treated as one part of the broader document-update process.
Gazette publication does not automatically change Aadhaar, a birth certificate, school records or a passport.
Common Mistakes Parents Should Avoid
1. Using an Adult Gazette Checklist
The Department has a separate guideline for minors.
Fix: Use the minor-specific procedure.
2. Publishing in Two Newspapers When the Central Minor Guideline Says One
The Central minor guideline specifies one daily leading newspaper.
Fix: Follow the applicable official procedure rather than copying a two-newspaper requirement from another website or State process.
3. Forgetting the Child’s Age
The minor procedure specifically uses the child’s age in the newspaper notice and application.
Fix: Check the child’s age everywhere before submission.
4. Submitting Only a Newspaper Clipping
The Department requires the full newspaper page containing the notification.
Fix: Retain and submit the complete required page.
5. Using the Wrong Proforma
An adult name-change proforma is not automatically the correct form for a minor.
Fix: Use the prescribed minor specimen.
6. Forgetting the Witnesses
The minor proforma requires two witnesses.
Fix: Complete both witness sections before submission.
7. Preparing the Soft Copy Incorrectly
The Department’s minor guideline specifies an MS Word CD containing the printing matter without the witness portion, with the guardian’s name typed in place of the signature.
Fix: Follow the prescribed technical format.
8. Hard Copy and Soft Copy Do Not Match
The applicant must certify that the hard and soft copies are similar.
Fix: Compare both versions before signing the certificate.
9. Using an Outdated Fee
Fee figures on other websites are often old or include private service charges.
Fix: Check the Department’s current rate order (₹1,700 for a minor in the order dated 19 September 2023) before payment.
10. Ignoring the One-Year Document Rule
The Department’s minor guideline states that submitted documents must not be older than one year.
Fix: Check document dates before sending the application.
11. Sending Original Documents Without Keeping Copies
The Department states that submitted documents are not returned.
Fix: Scan or photocopy the complete submission before dispatch.
12. Assuming Gazette Publication Updates Every Record
Gazette publication and subsequent record updates are separate steps.
Fix: Contact each relevant authority after publication.
If an application has already been returned, see Gazette name change rejected: reasons and fixes.
Minor Gazette Name Change Checklist
Before Starting
- Confirm whether the situation is a name change or a record correction
- Confirm the child’s existing name
- Confirm the exact proposed name
- Check whether divorce/adoption/custody creates a special procedure
- Confirm the applicable Gazette route
Gazette Application
- Guardian’s undertaking
- Original newspaper
- Full newspaper page
- Prescribed minor proforma
- Two copies of the proforma
- Two witnesses
- MS Word soft copy
- CD prepared according to the prescribed format
- Hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate
- Guardian photographs
- Child photograph
- Self-attested photo ID
- Request letter
- Current applicable publication fee
- Documents checked for the one-year age requirement
Final Pre-Submission Check
- Old name is identical everywhere
- New name is identical everywhere
- Child’s age is correct
- Guardian’s details are consistent
- Address is consistent
- Newspaper notice is correct
- Proforma is computer typed
- Two witnesses are included
- Hard copy matches soft copy
- Complete application has been scanned/copied
After Publication
- Locate the Gazette on the official eGazette portal
- Check old name
- Check new name
- Check publication details
- Save the complete Gazette PDF
- Begin updating relevant records
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help With a Minor Name Change Gazette Application?
A minor name-change application requires consistency across the newspaper notice, guardian undertaking, Gazette proforma, soft copy and supporting documents.
If you use a private document-preparation service, verify that the service is clearly identified as a private service and not as a government department.
Important: NameChangeDesk is a private service and information platform. It is not the Department of Publication, the Government of India or any other government authority. Government fees, procedures, acceptance and publication decisions remain with the relevant government authorities.
Official sources
For the Central Gazette minor procedure, use the Department of Publication, Government of India as the primary source. Government procedures and fees can change, so verify the current guideline, rates, payment and submission instructions before applying.
- Department of Publication — Change of Name guidelines (including minors)
- Department of Publication — Gazette rates
- eGazette portal
- Bharatkosh (Non-Tax Receipt Portal)
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.