Quick answer
If you want to publish a name-change notification through the Maharashtra Government Gazette in Mumbai, the relevant service is Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two — Name, Age and Religion Change.
Online application → Documents and fee → Weekly Gazette publication → Separate record updates
The Maharashtra Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery & Publications (DGPS), Mumbai provides an online application route for the service. The current DGPS FAQ states that a name-change advertisement is generally published within 15 days after the application is received. The current government fee listed by DGPS is ₹559 for the general category and ₹309 for the reserved category excluding EWS, including applicable taxes.
One point is especially important: Gazette publication does not automatically change your name in Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, educational or other records. The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that publication of a name, religion or date-of-birth change in the Gazette does not by itself give a person the right to have those details changed in government or other records. The relevant record-keeping authority must process the change separately.
This guide explains the Maharashtra Gazette process for Mumbai applicants, required documents, current government fees, publication timeline, minor applications, marriage-related changes, Gazette status and what to do after publication. For the wider state picture, see Gazette name change in Maharashtra.
Quick Answer: How Does Gazette Name Change Work in Mumbai?
For a Maharashtra Gazette name-change notification, you apply through the Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two — Name, Age and Religion Change service operated by the Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery & Publications.
The basic process is:
- Decide the exact name you want to publish.
- Check the applicable Maharashtra Gazette requirements.
- Create or use your online profile on the Maharashtra service portal.
- Upload the required identity and address documents.
- Complete the prescribed name-change application.
- Upload any case-specific legal document, if applicable.
- Pay the applicable government fee.
- Submit the application.
- Wait for the Gazette publication.
- Check and save the electronic Gazette publication.
- Apply separately to the authorities whose records you want to update.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ confirms that the application is made through its website or the Aaple Sarkar portal and that the relevant Part Two service is selected under the Industry, Energy and Labour Department.
What Is a Gazette Name Change?
A Gazette name change is the publication of a name-change advertisement or notification in an official government Gazette.
For Maharashtra applicants, the relevant publication is the Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two — Name, Age and Religion Change. The Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery & Publications manages the service.
The Gazette publication creates an official government publication record of the submitted name-change advertisement.
However, Gazette publication and updating an individual’s other records are separate processes.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ specifically states that publication of a name-change advertisement does not itself give the applicant an automatic right to have the name changed in government or other records.
What does that mean in practice?
If your Gazette publication shows:
Old name: Rahul Sharma
New name: Rohan Sharma
you should not assume that Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts or educational records will automatically change to Rohan Sharma.
You must follow the update procedure of each relevant authority.
Maharashtra Gazette vs Gazette of India
Mumbai applicants may encounter both the Maharashtra Government Gazette and the Gazette of India. They are different publication systems operated by different government authorities.
| Feature | Maharashtra Government Gazette | Gazette of India |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing authority | Maharashtra Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery & Publications | Department of Publication, Government of India |
| Relevant service | Part Two — Name, Age and Religion Change | Central Gazette change-of-name services |
| Application context | Maharashtra Government Gazette service | Gazette of India publication |
| Online information | Maharashtra DGPS / Aaple Sarkar | Department of Publication |
| Requirements | Follow current Maharashtra DGPS requirements | Follow the specific Central Government guideline for the case |
The Maharashtra Government provides a specific online Part Two — Change in Name service. The Government of India’s Department of Publication separately maintains guidelines for adult/major name changes, minors, surname changes, maiden surnames and other categories.
Which Gazette should you use?
There is no safe rule that says every Mumbai applicant must use one Gazette system.
Instead, identify:
- the purpose of your name change;
- the records you need to update;
- the authority requesting the Gazette publication, if applicable;
- whether your case falls within the Maharashtra Gazette service;
- whether a Central Government Gazette publication is specifically required.
Do not choose a Gazette route solely because an unofficial website says that one route is “universally accepted.”
For a fuller comparison, see Central Gazette vs State Gazette.
Is Gazette Publication the Same as Legally Changing Every Record?
No. Gazette publication does not automatically change every government or private record.
This is one of the most important distinctions in the entire process.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that publication of a name-change advertisement in the Maharashtra Government Gazette does not itself provide an automatic right to change the name in government or other records.
For example, after Gazette publication you may still need to submit separate applications for:
- Aadhaar;
- PAN;
- passport;
- voter records;
- driving licence;
- bank accounts;
- insurance;
- educational records;
- employment records;
- property-related records.
The requirements of each organisation can differ.
Gazette Name Change Process in Mumbai
Step 1: Decide the Exact New Name
Before starting the application, decide the exact spelling and order of the name you want to publish.
Check:
- first name;
- middle name;
- surname;
- spelling;
- spacing;
- initials;
- date of birth where applicable.
This matters because the Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that information submitted through the application cannot be changed after the application process is completed.
Example
If the intended new name is Rohan Kumar Sharma, do not submit Rohan K. Sharma unless the abbreviated version is actually the name you intend to use.
Use one consistent version throughout the application and supporting documents.
Step 2: Check Whether You Need a Name Change or a Record Correction
Not every name discrepancy requires the same process.
Record correction
If your legal name has not changed and one document contains a simple spelling or data-entry error, check whether that document authority provides a correction procedure.
Name-change notification
If you intentionally want to adopt a different name, the applicable Gazette name-change service may be relevant.
The distinction matters because a Gazette application should not automatically be treated as the solution to every spelling discrepancy.
Step 3: Create or Use Your Online Profile
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that applicants can use the Directorate website or register on the Aaple Sarkar portal.
The registration process requires the applicant to provide personal information, upload a photograph, identity proof and residential address proof, and verify the mobile number through OTP.
After registration:
- Select the relevant administrative department.
- Select the Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two service for name, age and religion change.
- Read the instructions for advertisers.
- Complete the prescribed application.
- Upload the required documents.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in Maharashtra
The current Maharashtra DGPS FAQ specifies the following document categories for a name-change advertisement.
Identity proof — any one
The official DGPS list includes:
- PAN Card;
- Passport;
- Aadhaar Card;
- Voter Card.
Residential address proof — any one
The official DGPS list includes:
- Aadhaar Card;
- Ration Card;
- Electricity Bill.
Age proof for a minor
For a minor applicant, the DGPS guidance identifies a birth certificate as age proof for the name-change service.
Case-specific legal documents
The official Maharashtra FAQ also lists specific legal documents for particular circumstances:
| Situation | Document identified by DGPS |
|---|---|
| Middle-name change | Affidavit |
| Name change after marriage | Marriage registration certificate |
| Divorced woman applicant | Court documents and affidavit |
| Adoption-related application | Adoption deed |
Photograph
The current DGPS FAQ specifies a passport-size photograph in JPEG format with:
- file size: 5 KB to 20 KB;
- dimensions: 160 × 210 pixels.
Upload requirements
The DGPS FAQ states that the listed identity, address and applicable legal documents should be provided in JPEG or PDF formats within its stated file-size limits.
Always check the live application interface before uploading because technical requirements can change.
Does Everyone Need an Affidavit for Maharashtra Gazette Name Change?
No. An affidavit is not a universal requirement for every Maharashtra Gazette name-change application.
The current Maharashtra DGPS FAQ specifically identifies an affidavit for a middle-name change and identifies other case-specific legal documents for situations such as marriage, divorce and adoption.
Therefore, the correct approach is to determine which documents apply to your specific type of name change rather than assuming that every applicant must use the same affidavit procedure.
Is Newspaper Advertisement Required for Maharashtra Gazette Name Change?
Do not assume that every Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two name-change application requires a newspaper advertisement.
The current Maharashtra DGPS FAQ’s listed document requirements for the name-change service include identity proof, address proof, applicable age proof, case-specific legal documents and a photograph. The FAQ does not list a newspaper clipping among those standard name-change documents.
This is important because many third-party websites publish generic instructions saying that applicants must first advertise in one English and one Marathi newspaper.
Treat those instructions with caution: they are not a universal Maharashtra DGPS requirement.
If another authority separately asks for a newspaper publication for a particular purpose, follow that authority’s current requirement.
Maharashtra Gazette Name Change Fees
The current Maharashtra DGPS FAQ lists the following government charges for the Part Two name, age and religion change advertisement service:
| Applicant category | Government fee |
|---|---|
| General category | ₹559, including taxes |
| Reserved category, excluding EWS | ₹309, including taxes |
These figures refer to the government Gazette service. They should not be confused with fees charged by private consultants, lawyers or document-service providers.
Because government charges can be revised, verify the amount displayed by the official application system before making payment.
How Long Does Gazette Name Change Take in Mumbai?
The current Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that the advertisement is generally published within 15 days after the application is received.
The Maharashtra public-service information also lists 15 days as the service-delivery deadline for the online acceptance and publication of advertisements relating to name, religion and date-of-birth changes.
However, 15 days refers to the Gazette service. It does not mean that every identity document will be updated within 15 days.
A practical sequence is:
Gazette application → Gazette publication → separate record-update applications → individual authority processing
Can Maharashtra Gazette Name Change Be Published Immediately?
No.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that immediate publication is not available because the relevant part of the Maharashtra Government Gazette is published weekly.
Therefore, applicants should not treat the Gazette service as an instant or same-day publication service.
How Do I Check My Gazette Name Change Status?
The Maharashtra DGPS website provides a Gazette Status facility for name, date-of-birth and religion changes.
According to the official FAQ, applicants can:
- Open the Gazette Status facility.
- Select the relevant service.
- Enter the application number.
- Locate the publication details.
The DGPS FAQ also explains that applicants can search the electronic Gazette under the relevant Part Two section.
Keep your application number and payment information until the publication has been located.
Is the Maharashtra Gazette Available Electronically?
Yes.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that the relevant Gazette is available electronically. It also states that a separate signature is not required merely because the publication is electronic.
The electronic publication can therefore be retained as part of your name-change documentation.
Save:
- the complete PDF;
- the relevant publication page;
- your application number;
- payment acknowledgement;
- supporting documents.
Gazette Name Change for a Minor in Mumbai
A minor’s application has additional requirements.
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that when the applicant is below 18 years of age, the prescribed notice must be signed by the applicant’s mother or father. The official name-change document requirements also identify a birth certificate as age proof for a minor.
The process should therefore be based on the minor-specific requirements rather than simply copying an adult application.
If the child also needs changes to a birth certificate, school record, Aadhaar or passport, those records must be handled through the respective authority’s procedure.
Gazette Name Change After Marriage
A marriage-related surname change can involve different supporting documentation from an independent personal name change.
For the Maharashtra Gazette Part Two name-change service, the current DGPS FAQ identifies a marriage registration certificate as the relevant legal document for a name change after marriage.
The exact process for updating Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts and other records can still differ by authority.
Therefore:
Marriage-related Gazette publication ≠ automatic update of every document.
Gazette Name Change After Divorce
For a divorced woman applicant, the Maharashtra DGPS FAQ identifies court documents and an affidavit among the applicable legal documents for the name-change advertisement.
The exact documents should be checked against the circumstances of the case and the current application requirements.
Gazette Name Change for Adoption
For an adoption-related application, the Maharashtra DGPS FAQ identifies an adoption deed among the applicable legal documents.
Adoption-related name changes can involve additional requirements when the applicant also needs to update birth, school, identity or other records.
What Happens If the Gazette Application Is Rejected?
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that applicants receive a message on their registered mobile number when the application is accepted or rejected.
If an application is rejected:
- Read the rejection information.
- Identify the underlying issue.
- Correct the relevant information or documentation.
- Follow the current resubmission procedure.
- Retain the new application details.
The official FAQ also states that, where an application is rejected, the refund is generally received in at least 10 to 12 days.
What Should You Do After Gazette Publication?
Gazette publication is not the final step if your objective is to have your new name reflected across multiple records.
Create a list of every record that still contains your old name.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
| Record | Next action |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Follow UIDAI’s applicable update procedure |
| PAN | Follow the applicable PAN correction/update procedure |
| Passport | Follow the Passport Seva name-change requirements |
| Bank account | Follow the bank’s KYC/name-update process |
| Driving licence | Follow the relevant transport authority process |
| Voter record | Follow the applicable election-record update process |
| Education records | Follow the institution/board/university process |
| Employment records | Follow the employer’s HR/documentation process |
| Insurance | Follow the insurer’s name-update process |
The important point is that the Gazette publication is supporting documentation, not an automatic system-wide update. Maharashtra DGPS explicitly makes this distinction.
Gazette Name Change vs Simple Document Correction
Before paying for a Gazette service, determine what problem you are actually trying to solve.
Example 1: Simple spelling error
Your correct name is Rahul Sharma, but one document says Rahul Sharam because of a data-entry error.
In this situation, first check whether the authority that issued that document provides a correction mechanism.
Example 2: Intentional name change
Your existing name is Rahul Sharma and you intentionally want to adopt Rohan Sharma.
That is a materially different situation and may require a formal name-change notification and subsequent updates.
The distinction can save time and unnecessary documentation. See also Is a Gazette notification mandatory for name change?
Common Mistakes in Gazette Name Change Applications
1. Entering the wrong new name
The Maharashtra DGPS FAQ states that submitted information cannot be changed after the application process is completed.
Check the spelling before final submission.
2. Assuming an affidavit is always mandatory
The official Maharashtra requirements identify affidavits for particular situations rather than establishing one universal affidavit requirement for every case.
3. Assuming newspaper advertisements are always mandatory
The current DGPS name-change document list does not include newspaper clippings as a standard document.
4. Confusing Maharashtra Gazette with Gazette of India
They are separate government publication systems.
5. Assuming Gazette publication changes Aadhaar automatically
It does not. The relevant authority must process the update separately.
6. Using an outdated fee
The current DGPS FAQ lists ₹559 and ₹309 for the specified categories. Verify the live government fee before payment.
7. Treating 15 days as the time required to update every document
The 15-day figure relates to the Maharashtra Gazette service, not every subsequent identity-record update.
Gazette Name Change in Mumbai: Complete Checklist
Before submitting your Maharashtra Gazette name-change application, check:
- Exact new name finalized
- Old name checked for accuracy
- Identity proof ready
- Address proof ready
- Photograph meets the current technical requirements
- Birth certificate ready if applying for a minor
- Marriage certificate ready if applicable
- Affidavit ready if applicable to the case
- Court documents ready if applicable
- Adoption deed ready if applicable
- Application information checked carefully
- Current government fee verified
- Payment acknowledgement saved
- Application number saved
- Gazette publication checked after processing
- Gazette PDF safely stored
- Separate record-update applications identified
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway
For a Gazette name change in Mumbai, the first step is to identify whether the Maharashtra Government Gazette Part Two — Name, Age and Religion Change service applies to your case.
The current Maharashtra DGPS process is available online. The government currently lists a 15-day general publication timeframe, a ₹559 general-category fee, and a ₹309 reserved-category fee excluding EWS.
The process can be summarized as:
Choose the correct service → prepare the applicable documents → submit accurate information → pay the government fee → wait for publication → locate the e-Gazette → save the publication → update individual records separately.
The most important limitation is equally clear: Gazette publication does not automatically change every government or private record. Each relevant authority can have its own name-update procedure.
Because Gazette procedures, fees and online-service requirements can change, verify the current information on the official Maharashtra DGPS portal before submitting an application.
Official sources
- Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery & Publications, Maharashtra
- Aaple Sarkar portal
- National Government Services Portal — Maharashtra Gazette Part 2 for change in name
- Department of Publication — Change of Name guidelines (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.