Quick answer
If you want to legally publish an adult name change from Manipur in the Gazette, the relevant individual name-change publication is generally the Gazette of India Part IV, handled by the Department of Publication, Government of India. The official adult guideline applies to people aged 18 years and above and requires a newspaper notice, undertaking, prescribed proforma, identity proof, photographs, witnesses, fee and other supporting documents.
Important: The Gazette of Manipur and the Gazette of India are different publication systems. The Government of Manipur publishes State Government orders, notifications, rules and other State Gazette material through its Directorate of Printing & Stationery. The individual adult name-change guideline published by the Department of Publication specifically refers to Gazette of India Part IV.
Quick Answer: How Do I Change My Name Through the Gazette in Manipur?
For an adult name change, the process is:
- Decide the old and new name.
- Publish the required name-change advertisement in a daily local leading newspaper.
- Prepare the undertaking showing the old name, new name, father’s/husband’s name and residential address.
- Complete the prescribed Gazette proforma with the applicant’s signature and two witnesses.
- Prepare the required photographs and self-attested identity proof.
- Prepare the required soft-copy material and hard-copy/soft-copy similarity certificate.
- Pay the applicable Gazette publication fee.
- Submit the complete application to the Department of Publication personally or by post/courier.
- After publication, download the Gazette of India Part IV entry from the official e-Gazette system.
- Use the published Gazette along with other supporting documents when updating records such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank records or employment records, subject to the requirements of each authority.
What Is Gazette Name Change in Manipur?
Gazette name change means publishing an official public notice of a person’s change of name in a Gazette publication.
For an adult or major, the Department of Publication provides specific guidelines for publishing a change of name, addition of surname or deletion of surname in Gazette of India Part IV. The official guideline states that the procedure applies to a person who has attained 18 years of age.
A Gazette publication creates an official government publication record of the name-change notice. It can then be used as supporting documentation when different government departments, institutions, employers, banks or other organisations require evidence of the change.
The Gazette publication itself does not automatically update every identity or financial record. Each authority has its own procedure for changing the name in its records.
Gazette of India vs Gazette of Manipur: Which One Is Required?
This is one of the most important distinctions for applicants in Manipur.
| Gazette | Purpose | Relevance to individual adult name change |
|---|---|---|
| Gazette of India Part IV | Publication of individual notices such as adult name-change notices | Relevant route under the Department of Publication’s adult name-change guideline |
| Gazette of Manipur | Publication of Government of Manipur orders, notifications, rules and other State Government material | Not the same process as the individual Gazette of India name-change procedure |
The Government of Manipur states that its State Gazettes contain Government of Manipur orders, notifications, memoranda, Acts and rules. The State Gazette is now published electronically, with e-Gazettes from 1 August 2025 available through the State’s e-Gazette system.
For an adult individual seeking publication of a name change, the Department of Publication’s official guideline specifically identifies Gazette of India Part IV as the publication route.
Practical takeaway: If you are searching for “Gazette name change in Manipur,” do not assume that you need to apply through the Manipur State Gazette. First identify whether your requirement is an individual Gazette of India Part IV name-change publication.
Who Can Apply for Gazette Name Change in Manipur?
An adult who has attained 18 years of age can apply for publication of a name change in Gazette of India Part IV under the Department of Publication’s adult/major guideline.
The official guideline covers changes such as:
- Change of first name
- Change of full name
- Addition of surname
- Deletion of surname
- Other adult name changes covered by the prescribed Gazette procedure
Special procedures or additional requirements can apply to minors, changes involving religion, adoption, gender and certain surname-related situations. The Department of Publication maintains separate guidelines for several of these categories.
What Documents Are Required for Gazette Name Change?
The official adult/major guideline lists the following documents and materials for publication in Gazette of India Part IV:
| Document / Requirement | What is required |
|---|---|
| Undertaking | Signed by the applicant and containing relevant old/new name details |
| Newspaper | Original newspaper carrying the required name-change advertisement |
| Prescribed proforma | Typed in duplicate and signed by applicant and two witnesses |
| Soft copy | Required Gazette print matter in the prescribed format |
| Photographs | Two self-attested passport-size photographs |
| ID proof | Self-attested copy of photo identity proof |
| Similarity certificate | Applicant’s signed declaration that hard copy and soft copy are identical |
| Request letter | Forwarding/request letter |
| Gazette fee | Applicable publication charge |
The Department also states that documents submitted for the application must not be older than one year.
The Gazette application is not simply a newspaper advertisement plus an online form. The official adult guideline contains several document-format requirements, including the prescribed proforma, two witnesses and a hard-copy/soft-copy similarity certificate. For a fuller checklist, read Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in India.
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Step-by-Step Gazette Name Change Process in Manipur
Step 1: Decide the New Name
Clearly determine the exact old name and new name before preparing the documents. Use the same spelling of the proposed new name throughout the newspaper notice, undertaking, Gazette proforma and supporting documents.
Example:
Old Name: Rahul Kumar Singh
New Name: Rahul Singh
Avoid unnecessary spelling differences between documents because the Department requires the applicant to certify that the hard-copy and soft-copy material is identical.
Step 2: Publish the Name-Change Advertisement
The official adult guideline requires the name change to be advertised in one of the daily local leading newspapers.
The advertisement should include the applicant’s father’s or husband’s name and residential address as specified by the guideline. The original newspaper is then submitted to the Department of Publication.
Some private websites describe the process as requiring two newspapers. The official adult guideline specifies one daily local leading newspaper.
Step 3: Prepare the Undertaking
The applicant must prepare and sign an undertaking containing relevant personal information, including:
- Old name
- New name
- Father’s or husband’s name
- Residential address
- Declaration that the information provided is true and correct
Step 4: Complete the Gazette Proforma
The prescribed printing matter must be typed on plain paper and completed according to the Department’s specimen.
The adult guideline requires the document to be signed by the applicant in the old name and witnessed by two witnesses. The proforma is submitted in duplicate together with the required soft copy.
The official specimen follows the structure: Old name → relationship details → occupation/employment details → residential address → new name → declaration → applicant’s old-name signature → two witnesses.
Step 5: Prepare Photographs and Identity Proof
The adult guideline requires two self-attested passport-size photographs and self-attested photo ID proof. Check the application carefully before submission to ensure that both are included.
Step 6: Prepare the Soft Copy and Similarity Certificate
The official adult procedure requires a soft copy of the prescribed printing material.
The guideline specifically describes the soft copy as containing the print matter without the witness portion and requires the old name to be typed in the place of the signature. The applicant must also provide a signed certificate confirming that the hard copy and soft copy are similar.
This is an important technical requirement that is often missed in simplified online guides.
Step 7: Pay the Gazette Publication Fee
The Department of Publication’s rate-revision order dated 19 September 2023 lists the following rate for an adult/major change-of-name notice in Gazette of India Part IV: ₹1,100 per case.
The rate order states that the revised rates were effective from 14 June 2021. The Department’s adult guideline also refers to payment through the NTRP/Bharatkosh system.
Important: The ₹1,100 figure refers to the Gazette publication charge listed in the Department’s rate order. Other expenses, such as newspaper publication or document preparation, can be separate.
Step 8: Submit the Application
The completed documents, publication charge, forwarding/request letter and photo ID proof should be addressed to:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054
The adult guideline states that applications may be submitted personally or sent by post. It also states that applications submitted by post/courier are entertained and that agents or advocates are not an alternative submission channel under this guideline.
Step 9: Wait for Gazette Publication
After the application is received complete in all respects, the Department states that the request is sent to the respective Government of India Press for notification.
The Department also specifically states that it is not responsible for delays in printing by the concerned Press, so applicants should not expect a fixed publication timeline.
Step 10: Download the Published Gazette
The Gazette of India is published electronically.
The official adult guideline instructs applicants to search the Gazette, select the weekly Gazette, choose Part IV, select the relevant date range, download the PDF and use the search function to find the old or new name. The guideline states that the downloaded Gazette copy does not require further certification from the Department.
Official Gazette of India portal
Can You Apply for Gazette Name Change Online From Manipur?
Not as a completely online end-to-end application under the adult guideline.
The Gazette is electronically published and the Department provides an online Gazette search/download system. However, the adult name-change guideline requires the applicant’s documents to be submitted personally or sent by post/courier to the Department of Publication.
A more accurate description is: The Gazette is e-published, while the adult application requires document submission according to the Department of Publication’s prescribed procedure.
What Is the Gazette Name Change Fee in Manipur?
For an adult/major change-of-name notice in Gazette of India Part IV, the Department of Publication’s rate order lists ₹1,100 per case.
However, the total amount you spend on the complete name-change process can be higher because the Gazette charge is not necessarily the only expense. Possible additional costs include:
- Newspaper advertisement
- Photographs
- Document preparation
- Post/courier charges
- Professional assistance, if independently chosen
The official Gazette publication rate should therefore not be confused with the total cost of completing every step of a name change. See Gazette name change fees and timeline.
How Long Does Gazette Name Change Take?
There is no fixed publication timeline guaranteed by the official adult guideline.
The Department states that after receiving a complete application, the request is sent to the respective Government of India Press. The Department also states that it is not responsible for delays in printing by the concerned Press.
Therefore, websites promising a guaranteed number of days should not be treated as an official government processing commitment.
What Happens After Gazette Name Change?
Gazette publication creates the official publication record, but it does not automatically change the name in every database. After receiving the Gazette publication, you may need to separately update records such as:
- Aadhaar
- PAN
- Passport
- Bank account
- Driving licence
- Voter records
- Employer records
- Educational records
- Insurance records
- Property or financial records
The exact supporting documents and procedure depend on the organisation maintaining each record. The Gazette should be treated as supporting evidence of the name change, not as an automatic instruction to every authority to change its database.
Gazette Name Change After Marriage in Manipur
A name change after marriage can involve additional documentation, depending on the record being updated and the authority involved.
For a Gazette publication, applicants should follow the applicable Department of Publication guideline rather than assuming that a marriage certificate alone automatically completes the Gazette process. The Department of Publication separately provides guidance for situations such as adopting a maiden surname and adopting a different surname.
Gazette Name Change for a Minor in Manipur
The adult/major procedure should not simply be used for a child. The Department of Publication maintains a separate Guidelines for Change of Name – Minor document, and the adult guideline specifically applies to a person aged 18 years or above. See Gazette name change for a minor child.
Gazette Name Change for Central Government Employees
The Department states that Central Government employees may submit a Deed for Change of Name in accordance with Ministry of Home Affairs O.M. 190016/1/87-Estt. dated 12 March 1987. The employee should therefore check the applicable departmental procedure before using the standard public applicant route.
Gazette Name Change for Indians Living Abroad
The adult guideline also contains a separate provision for Indians living abroad. It states that the deed should be attested by the relevant Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission and submitted in original to the Department. The official rate order separately lists ₹3,500 for an adult/major change-of-name notice from an Indian abroad. See Gazette name change for NRIs.
Gazette Name Change vs Name Correction
A name change means a person intentionally adopts a different name, such as changing the first name, adding a surname or removing a surname. A name correction generally refers to fixing an error or mismatch in an existing record.
The two situations should not automatically be treated as identical. A correction to Aadhaar, PAN, passport, educational records or another document may have its own correction procedure and may not always require the same Gazette process.
Common Mistakes in Gazette Name Change Applications
1. Applying to the wrong Gazette
The Gazette of Manipur and Gazette of India Part IV are different systems. The adult individual name-change guideline points to Gazette of India Part IV.
2. Using different spellings
The old and new names should be consistent across the newspaper notice, undertaking, proforma and supporting documents.
3. Missing the two witnesses
The prescribed adult proforma requires two witnesses.
4. Forgetting the original newspaper
The adult guideline specifically requires the original newspaper to be submitted.
5. Treating the process as completely online
The Gazette is e-published, but the adult application still requires document submission according to the official guideline.
6. Assuming a guaranteed processing time
The Department does not provide a guaranteed publication timeline in the adult guideline and notes that printing delays may occur at the concerned Press.
7. Ignoring document age
The official guideline states that submitted documents must not be older than one year.
Gazette Name Change Checklist for Manipur
Before sending the application, check the following:
- Old name confirmed
- New name confirmed
- Newspaper advertisement published
- Original newspaper available
- Undertaking prepared and signed
- Gazette proforma typed
- Applicant signature added in old name where required
- Two witnesses’ details and signatures added
- Two passport-size photographs attached
- Self-attested photo ID attached
- Soft copy prepared in the required format
- Hard-copy/soft-copy similarity certificate prepared
- Request/forwarding letter prepared
- Applicable Gazette fee paid
- Documents checked for consistency
- Documents are not older than one year
- Application submitted personally or through the permitted postal/courier route
- Gazette publication downloaded after publication
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources for Gazette Name Change in Manipur
For the most reliable information, applicants should prioritise government sources rather than relying only on private service-provider websites.
- Department of Publication — Change of Name/Public Notices — the adult/major guideline along with separate guidelines for minors, religion, adoption, surname and other categories.
- Department of Publication — Gazette rates — the rate order listing ₹1,100 for an adult/major change-of-name notice.
- Government of Manipur — Directorate of Printing & Stationery — the State Gazette system and its digitally signed e-Gazettes.
- e-Gazette of India
Final Takeaway
For an adult living in Manipur, a Gazette-based name change should not be confused with publication in the Gazette of Manipur. The official adult name-change procedure published by the Department of Publication refers to Gazette of India Part IV and requires a newspaper notice, undertaking, prescribed proforma with two witnesses, photographs, identity proof, soft-copy material, similarity certificate, request letter and applicable fee.
The Department’s published rate order lists ₹1,100 per case for an adult/major change-of-name notice. The Gazette is electronically published, but the application itself is not a completely online process because the required documents must be submitted personally or through the permitted postal/courier route.
The safest approach is to use the latest official Department of Publication guidelines and verify the applicable requirements before submitting the application. If you need help with the paperwork, contact NameChangeDesk.
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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.