Gazette name change in Delhi for an adult is handled through the Central Government’s Gazette of India Part IV procedure. The Department of Publication’s adult/major guideline requires a newspaper notice, an undertaking, prescribed Gazette proforma, witnesses, photographs, identity proof, a hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate, a request letter and the applicable fee. The completed application is submitted to the Department of Publication in Civil Lines, Delhi, according to the published procedure.
The important distinction is that Gazette publication and updating your other records are separate steps. After publication, you may need to update Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, education, employment and other records separately.
Gazette Name Change in Delhi: Quick Answer
For an adult/major, the Central Gazette name-change route is Gazette of India Part IV.
The basic process is:
- Confirm the correct name-change category.
- Prepare the required undertaking and Gazette documents.
- Publish the required notice in a daily local leading newspaper.
- Keep the original newspaper.
- Prepare the prescribed Gazette proforma in the required format.
- Prepare the required photographs, ID proof, soft copy and matching certificate.
- Pay the applicable government fee.
- Submit the application according to the Department’s published procedure.
- Wait for the Gazette of India Part IV publication.
- Find and download the published notification from the e-Gazette system.
- Use the Gazette notification when updating your other records.
The Department of Publication maintains separate procedures for different categories, so the adult checklist should not automatically be applied to minors, Central Government employees, name-and-gender changes, adoption cases or other special situations.
What Is a Gazette Name Change?
A Gazette name change is the publication of a person’s name-change notice in an official government Gazette.
For the Central Government adult/major route, the relevant publication is Gazette of India Part IV.
The publication connects the applicant’s previous name with the new name stated in the notification.
Example
Existing name: Rahul Kumar
New name: Rahul Sharma
The Gazette notification records the change from Rahul Kumar to Rahul Sharma according to the prescribed publication process.
The Gazette publication itself does not automatically replace the old name in every database or document.
After publication, each relevant authority can have its own procedure for updating its records.
Is Gazette Name Change Mandatory for Every Name Change?
No. The applicable procedure depends on the type and purpose of the name change.
The Department of Publication publishes separate guidance for different situations, including:
- Adult/major name change
- Minor name change
- Adopting a different surname
- Adopting a maiden surname
- Change of religion
- Adoption of a child
- Change of name and gender
- Central Government employees
- Public notices
- Indians living abroad
The Department’s own document index separates these procedures rather than treating every name change as one universal application.
Practical implication: Before preparing your documents, identify the guideline that matches your situation.
Gazette of India vs Delhi Gazette: Which One Do You Need?
Living in Delhi does not automatically mean you need a Delhi Gazette publication.
For the standard Central Government adult/major individual name-change procedure discussed in this guide, the Department of Publication’s guideline relates to Gazette of India Part IV.
| Point | Gazette of India | Delhi Gazette |
|---|---|---|
| Government level | Central Government | Government of NCT of Delhi |
| Adult Central Gazette name-change route | Gazette of India Part IV | Not the procedure covered by the Central adult guideline |
| Authority relevant to Central Gazette process | Department of Publication | Depends on the Delhi Gazette matter |
| Where Central application is handled | Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi | Depends on the relevant Delhi Gazette procedure |
The practical rule
If your requirement is an individual adult name change through the Central Gazette, start with the Department of Publication’s Change of Name – Adult/Major guideline rather than a generic “Delhi Gazette” checklist.
For a wider comparison, see our guide to Central Gazette vs State Gazette.
Who Can Apply for Gazette Name Change in Delhi?
An adult/major can use the Central Gazette adult procedure when the person’s situation falls within that guideline.
Common reasons for a name change can include:
- Changing a first name
- Changing a surname
- Changing a full name
- Correcting a name-related issue
- Adding a surname
- Removing a surname
- Reverting to a previous surname
- Certain marriage-related name changes
- Certain religion-related name changes
However, the Department has separate guidance for several special categories.
If the applicant is a minor
Use the Department’s minor-specific guideline rather than the adult/major checklist. The Department lists the minor procedure separately.
If the applicant is a Central Government employee
Additional requirements can apply. The Department separately provides a deed for Central Government employees.
If the applicant is changing name and gender
The Department publishes a separate guideline for change of name and gender. Do not automatically use the ordinary adult name-change format.
What Documents Are Required for an Adult Gazette Name Change?
The Department’s adult/major guideline lists a specific set of documents and application materials.
The core checklist includes:
- Undertaking signed by the applicant
- Original newspaper
- Prescribed proforma in duplicate
- Two witnesses
- MS Word soft copy on CD
- Two self-attested passport-size photographs
- Self-attested photo ID
- Certificate confirming the hard and soft copies match
- Request letter
- Applicable fee
The Department maintains the adult/major guideline separately from its other name-change procedures.
For each item in detail, see our documents required for Gazette name change checklist.
1. Undertaking
The adult/major Gazette application requires an undertaking signed by the applicant.
The undertaking contains the relevant name-change information and must be consistent with the other documents.
Use the current Department format rather than copying an old template from a private website.
2. Original Newspaper
The adult/major guideline requires the name change to be advertised in one daily local leading newspaper, with the original newspaper forwarded to the Department.
The notice should contain the information required by the applicable format, including the relevant father/husband information and residential address.
Do you need two newspapers?
The adult Central Gazette guideline does not state a universal requirement for two newspapers.
It specifies one daily local leading newspaper.
This matters because many commercial pages repeat an English-plus-Hindi two-newspaper requirement without distinguishing it from other procedures.
Do not transfer a requirement from another authority, such as a passport process, to the Central Gazette procedure without checking the applicable official guideline.
For notice wording, see our newspaper advertisement formats.
3. Prescribed Gazette Proforma
The prescribed printing matter must be prepared in the format specified by the Department.
For the adult procedure, the material is prepared:
- On plain paper
- By computer typing
- In duplicate
- With the applicant’s signature
- With the required witness information
The proforma is part of the government application, so accuracy matters more than using a visually attractive third-party template.
4. Two Witnesses
The adult/major proforma includes two witnesses.
The witness section contains identifying information such as:
- Name
- Address
- Signature
- Mobile number
Check all witness information before the documents are signed.
5. MS Word Soft Copy
The adult procedure requires a soft copy of the printing matter in MS Word format on CD.
This is a specific requirement in the published procedure.
It is therefore incorrect to assume that the Central adult application is simply an online PDF-upload process.
6. Two Self-Attested Photographs
The adult guideline requires two self-attested passport-size photographs.
Prepare them according to the current instructions and keep spare copies for your records.
7. Self-Attested Photo ID
The application requires a self-attested photo-identity document.
The Department separately publishes a list of acceptable documents for proof of old name and address. Check that list when selecting the document for your application.
8. Hard-Copy/Soft-Copy Matching Certificate
The applicant must certify that the hard-copy and soft-copy material is identical.
Check the two versions line by line before signing the certificate.
A mismatch can create an avoidable documentation problem.
9. Request Letter
The adult application includes a request letter addressed to the Controller of Publications.
Use the applicable current format provided by the Department rather than relying on a generic letter found online.
The Department publishes a specific request-letter format in its document library.
10. Government Fee
The government publication fee is separate from the cost of newspaper publication, document preparation, courier or private assistance.
The Department of Publication’s rate order dated 19 September 2023 lists ₹1,100 for an adult/major and ₹1,700 for a minor. Because government charges can change, verify the amount displayed through the applicable government payment process before making payment.
Is an Affidavit Mandatory for Gazette Name Change?
Do not treat a notarised affidavit as a universal requirement for the Central Gazette adult procedure.
The Department’s published adult/major checklist identifies an undertaking as part of the core application materials.
Some private services, State Gazette procedures and other name-change processes use affidavits.
The correct rule is therefore:
Use the document requirements for the specific Gazette procedure that applies to your case.
Do not assume that an affidavit requirement from another process automatically applies to the Central Gazette adult procedure.
How to Change Your Name Through Gazette in Delhi: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Identify the Correct Name-Change Category
Start by determining whether you are applying as an adult/major, minor, Central Government employee or under another special category.
This matters because the Department publishes different guidelines for different situations.
Step 2: Finalise Your New Name
Choose the exact spelling and format of the new name before preparing the application.
Check:
- First name
- Middle name
- Surname
- Spacing
- Spelling
- Father’s/husband’s name where applicable
- Residential address
Use the same information across the undertaking, newspaper, proforma and electronic copy.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Undertaking
Prepare and sign the undertaking according to the applicable Department format.
Do not modify the wording casually.
The old name and new name should match the information used throughout the application.
Step 4: Publish the Newspaper Notice
For the standard adult/major Central Gazette route, publish the name-change notice in one daily local leading newspaper.
The Department’s guideline requires the original newspaper to be forwarded with the application.
Keep the complete original newspaper safely.
Do not rely only on:
- Screenshots
- WhatsApp images
- Newspaper website pages
- Cropped digital advertisements
Step 5: Prepare the Gazette Proforma
Complete the prescribed Gazette proforma in duplicate and include the required witness information.
Review every spelling and address detail before signing.
Step 6: Prepare the Soft Copy
Prepare the required MS Word soft copy on CD according to the Department’s instructions.
The soft copy should correspond with the hard-copy material.
Step 7: Add Photos, ID and Certificate
Prepare:
- Two self-attested photographs
- Self-attested photo ID
- Hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate
- Request letter
- Original newspaper
- Undertaking
- Prescribed proforma
- Any additional category-specific documents
Create a complete scanned copy before submission.
Step 8: Pay the Applicable Government Fee
Pay the applicable Gazette publication fee using the current government payment instructions.
The amount should be verified at the time of payment because government fee schedules can change.
The Department’s rate order dated 19 September 2023 lists ₹1,100 for the adult/major category and ₹1,700 for the minor category.
Step 9: Submit the Application
The adult/major guideline provides for submission to the Department of Publication in Civil Lines, Delhi, according to the published submission procedure.
The published guidance identifies the Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, and states that applications are submitted personally or by post/courier rather than through agents or advocates.
Important
Do not confuse a private company’s online documentation assistance with an official online government submission.
Step 10: Government Processing and Publication
A complete application is processed for publication in the Gazette of India Part IV.
The Department of Publication maintains the relevant publication guidelines, while the e-Gazette system provides access to published Gazette material.
The Department’s procedure does not provide a universal guaranteed publication date.
Therefore, avoid treating private-service turnaround promises as government guarantees.
How Long Does Gazette Name Change Take in Delhi?
There is no single government-guaranteed number of days that applies to every adult name-change application.
Commercial websites currently advertise different estimates, including 15–30 days, 30–45 days and 45–60 days.
Those are third-party estimates.
Actual processing can depend on:
- Application completeness
- Document accuracy
- Newspaper notice
- Department processing
- Corrections or deficiencies
- Government Press publication
What should you ask a service provider?
If a company says “Gazette in 15 days,” ask:
Does the 15 days mean document preparation, government submission, publication, or the entire process?
That question separates a service-provider estimate from a government publication timeline.
How Much Does Gazette Name Change Cost in Delhi?
The total cost is higher than the government Gazette publication fee if you use a newspaper, courier or private documentation service.
Government fee
| Applicant category | Fee (Department rate order, 19 September 2023) |
|---|---|
| Adult/Major | ₹1,100 |
| Minor | ₹1,700 |
| Indian applicant living abroad — adult | ₹3,500 |
| Indian applicant living abroad — minor | ₹5,100 |
These figures are from the Department of Publication’s rate order dated 19 September 2023. Verify the applicable amount at the time of payment on the Department’s Gazette rates page.
Other possible costs
Your total expenditure can include:
- Newspaper advertisement
- Printing
- Courier/postage
- Notarial services, where applicable
- Document preparation
- Professional assistance
- Later document-update fees
Government Gazette fee and private service fee are not the same thing.
If a company quotes ₹5,500 or ₹6,500, that is a private service price, not the government Gazette publication fee.
Can You Apply for Gazette Name Change Online?
The adult Central Gazette process should not be described as a completely online application.
You can prepare many parts of the process digitally:
- Documents
- Newspaper wording
- Gazette proforma
- MS Word soft copy
- Supporting information
- Payment
But the published adult procedure describes submission to the Department through the specified physical submission channels.
Online assistance vs online government filing
Online assistance: A private company helps you prepare and organise your documents remotely.
Online government filing: The government provides a digital application system for the actual submission.
Those are different things.
Where Is the Gazette Office in Delhi?
The Central Gazette name-change application is handled through the Department of Publication at Civil Lines, Delhi.
The published address is:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054
Verify current public-dealing instructions before visiting.
How to Find Your Gazette Name Change Notification Online
Published Gazette notifications can be searched through the official e-Gazette system.
The e-Gazette portal provides a List of Published Gazette with options to search by Gazette category, part/section and year.
Basic search process
- Open the official e-Gazette portal.
- Go to the published Gazette search.
- Select the relevant Gazette category.
- Select the relevant Part/Section.
- Select the publication year/date.
- Open the applicable Gazette issue.
- Search the PDF for your old or new name.
- Save the published PDF for your records.
What Happens After Gazette Publication?
Gazette publication does not automatically update every document that contains your old name.
After publication, you may need to separately update:
- Aadhaar
- PAN
- Passport
- Voter ID
- Driving licence
- Bank accounts
- Insurance
- EPF
- Employer records
- School certificates
- College records
- University records
- Professional certificates
- Property records
Each organisation can have its own document and verification requirements.
The correct sequence
Name-change documentation → Gazette publication → individual record updates
Do not assume that publishing the Gazette completes every downstream update.
Gazette Name Change After Marriage in Delhi
A marriage-related surname change can involve different documentation depending on the situation.
Examples include:
- Taking a spouse’s surname
- Adding a spouse’s surname
- Reverting to a maiden surname
- Reverting to a previous surname
- Changing the full name after marriage
The Department of Publication maintains separate guidance for adopting a different surname and for adopting a maiden surname.
Use the guideline that matches the actual reason for your name change.
Gazette Name Change After Divorce
A name change after divorce should be handled according to the applicable name-change category and supporting documents.
For example, a person reverting to a previous surname can have a different documentary situation from an applicant making an unrelated name change.
The Department also publishes a separate procedure concerning a minor’s name after divorce.
Do not automatically reuse an ordinary adult checklist for every divorce-related case.
Gazette Name Change for a Minor
A minor follows a separate Gazette procedure from an adult/major applicant.
The Department publishes a specific Guidelines for Change of Name – Minor document.
The Department’s rate order lists ₹1,700 for the minor category, but verify the applicable amount before payment.
Gazette Name Change for Central Government Employees
Central Government employees can have additional documentation requirements.
The Department separately publishes a Deed for Central Government Employees and identifies this category in its change-of-name document library.
If you are a Central Government employee, check the employee-specific deed before submitting the ordinary adult application.
Gazette Name and Gender Change
A combined name-and-gender change follows a separate Department of Publication guideline.
The Department explicitly lists Guidelines for Change of Name and Gender separately from the ordinary adult/major name-change guideline.
Therefore, do not simply modify the standard adult name-change application if your case involves both name and gender.
Use the applicable specialised procedure.
Common Gazette Name Change Mistakes
1. Choosing the wrong Gazette
Mistake: Assuming that living in Delhi means you need the Delhi Gazette.
Better approach: Identify whether your case belongs to Gazette of India Part IV or another Gazette procedure.
2. Assuming two newspapers are always mandatory
Mistake: Automatically booking one English and one Hindi advertisement.
Better approach: The Central adult guideline specifies one daily local leading newspaper. Check the specific authority and procedure applicable to your case.
3. Using an outdated checklist
Mistake: Following a blog published several years ago.
Better approach: Use the current Department of Publication guideline and current document formats. The Department maintains separate current categories in its document library.
4. Confusing a private fee with the government fee
Mistake: Assuming a ₹5,000 service package is the government Gazette charge.
Better approach: Separate: government publication fee + newspaper cost + documentation cost + private service fee.
5. Treating a private timeline as a government guarantee
Mistake: Believing “Gazette in 15 days” means the Government Press guarantees publication within 15 days.
Better approach: Ask exactly which stage the advertised timeline covers.
6. Assuming an online service means online government filing
Mistake: Believing a company can complete the entire Central Gazette application digitally.
Better approach: Distinguish private online assistance from the government’s actual submission procedure.
7. Not checking spelling across documents
Mistake: Using one spelling in the newspaper and another in the Gazette proforma.
Better approach: Compare the old name, new name, address and parent/spouse details across every document before submission.
8. Failing to retain copies
Mistake: Sending the original file without keeping a complete record.
Better approach: Scan the entire application package before submission.
Can You Do a Gazette Name Change Yourself?
Yes. An adult applicant can follow the published government procedure without automatically hiring a private agent.
DIY can work well if you:
- Have a straightforward case
- Can follow the official instructions
- Can prepare the required documents
- Can arrange the newspaper publication
- Can organise the submission yourself
Professional documentation assistance can be useful when you want help with:
- Document preparation
- Document checking
- Newspaper notice preparation
- Gazette proforma formatting
- Application organisation
- Identifying missing information
- Understanding the applicable category
The important distinction
A private documentation service can help you prepare your application.
The Department of Publication remains responsible for the government-side processing and publication.
What NameChangeDesk Can Help You With
NameChangeDesk is a private documentation assistance service, not the Department of Publication.
For applicants who want help with the preparation process, NameChangeDesk can assist with:
- Identifying the relevant procedure
- Preparing documentation
- Checking document consistency
- Preparing newspaper notice material
- Preparing Gazette application material
- Reviewing the application package
- Identifying missing information
- Explaining the submission process
- Explaining the next steps after publication
What NameChangeDesk does not control
NameChangeDesk does not control:
- Government acceptance
- Government processing
- Gazette publication
- Government publication timelines
- Updates made by Aadhaar, PAN, passport, banks or other authorities
Adult Gazette Name Change Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting the standard adult/major Central Gazette application.
Applicant information
- Old name confirmed
- New name confirmed
- Spelling checked
- Father’s/husband’s name checked where applicable
- Residential address checked
Gazette application
- Undertaking prepared
- Newspaper notice published
- Original newspaper retained
- Gazette proforma prepared in duplicate
- Two witnesses included
- MS Word soft copy prepared
- CD prepared
- Two self-attested photographs attached
- Self-attested photo ID attached
- Hard-copy/soft-copy matching certificate prepared
- Request letter prepared
- Applicable government fee paid
- Payment receipt retained
Before submission
- Complete file scanned
- All names checked character by character
- Address checked
- Correct Gazette category confirmed
- Current Department guideline checked
- Submission method verified
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway: Gazette Name Change in Delhi
For a standard adult/major Central Gazette name change, the process is based on the Department of Publication’s Gazette of India Part IV procedure.
The core sequence is:
Choose the correct category → prepare the undertaking → publish the newspaper notice → retain the original newspaper → prepare the prescribed proforma → arrange witnesses → prepare the soft copy → add photographs and ID → prepare the matching certificate and request letter → pay the applicable fee → submit the application → wait for publication → download the Gazette notification → update your individual records.
The most important points to remember are:
- Gazette of India Part IV is the relevant Central Gazette publication for the standard adult route.
- The adult guideline specifies one daily local leading newspaper, not a universal two-newspaper requirement.
- The Department publishes different procedures for different name-change situations.
- The adult/major government fee is ₹1,100 under the Department’s 2023 rate order, but verify the current amount before payment.
- A private service fee is different from the government publication fee.
- A private company’s processing estimate is not a government publication guarantee.
- Gazette publication does not automatically update Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank or other records.
- The official e-Gazette system can be used to find published Gazette material.
Before submitting your application, check the latest Department of Publication instructions for your exact category. Government procedures, fees and document requirements can change.
Official sources
- Department of Publication — Change of Name guidelines
- Department of Publication — Gazette rates and payment
- e-Gazette of India
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.