Quick answer
If you want to publish a name change in an official Gazette in West Bengal, the Kolkata Gazette Part II provides a state-level route for eligible applicants. The West Bengal Government’s published guidelines specifically cover changes of name and surname and explain the required documents, application process, publication charges and post-submission procedure.
For an eligible adult domiciled in West Bengal, the basic process is:
Prepare the affidavit → publish the required newspaper advertisement → prepare the supporting documents → submit the Kolkata Gazette Part II application → pay the prescribed charge → complete any correction requested during scrutiny → download the published Gazette notification.
The West Bengal Government guideline states that a notification is issued within 7 days of submission when the documents are found to be in order. The same guideline lists a ₹1,100 printing charge for publication of a change of name, while also stating that charges are subject to change through government notifications.
This guide explains the Gazette name change process in West Bengal, including eligibility, documents, affidavit requirements, newspaper advertisement, fees, processing time, Kolkata Gazette versus Gazette of India, and what to do after publication.
Quick Answer: How Does Gazette Name Change Work in West Bengal?
A standard Kolkata Gazette Part II name-change application involves several connected documents and steps.
- Prepare the required name-change affidavit.
- Get the affidavit attested by the prescribed authority.
- Publish the required newspaper advertisement.
- Prepare your photo ID and photographs.
- Complete the online Kolkata Gazette Part II application.
- Pay the applicable publication charge through the prescribed payment system.
- Respond if the application receives a document-shortfall or correction request.
- Download the Gazette notification after publication.
- Use the published notification when applying to update other records that still contain your previous name.
The West Bengal guideline identifies Kolkata Gazette Part II as the state publication route and states that it is published by Saraswaty Press Limited, a Government of West Bengal enterprise. The guideline also states that the applicant remains responsible for the information submitted in the application.
What Is a Gazette Name Change in West Bengal?
A Gazette name change is the publication of a name-change notification in an official government Gazette.
The Kolkata Gazette Part II guideline allows eligible applicants to notify a change of name or surname, along with certain other categories such as religion and gender.
The Gazette publication creates an official published record of the notification. It does not automatically rewrite every record held by banks, government departments, educational institutions or other organisations.
After Gazette publication, you may still need to apply separately to the relevant authority to update records containing your previous name.
Example
Suppose your existing name is Amit Kumar and your approved new name is Amit Roy.
The Gazette notification records the change from the existing name to the new name. You can then use the Gazette notification as supporting documentation when requesting applicable record changes from other authorities.
Who Can Apply for Name Change Through the Kolkata Gazette?
The West Bengal Government guideline states that a person who has attained 18 years of age or above and is domiciled in West Bengal can apply for the applicable Kolkata Gazette Part II notification.
The guideline also contains separate provisions for certain West Bengal Government employees and other categories.
For a standard adult applicant, the key eligibility condition is:
Age: 18 years or above
Residence status: Domicile of West Bengal
The exact requirements can differ for special cases, so applicants should verify the category applicable to their situation before submitting documents.
What Types of Name Changes Are Covered?
The Kolkata Gazette Part II guideline expressly identifies the following relevant notification categories:
- Change of name
- Change of surname
- Deletion of surname
- Reversion to maiden name in specified circumstances
- Change of religion
- Change of gender
The surname provisions specifically refer to circumstances involving divorce, separation and death of the husband.
The applicable supporting documents depend on the type of change.
For example, the guideline requires additional documentation for certain surname changes involving divorce, separation or death of a husband.
Kolkata Gazette Part II vs Gazette of India
West Bengal residents can encounter two different Gazette processes:
- Kolkata Gazette Part II — Government of West Bengal
- Gazette of India Part IV — Government of India
They are separate government publication routes with different procedures.
| Factor | Kolkata Gazette Part II | Gazette of India Part IV |
|---|---|---|
| Government level | West Bengal Government | Government of India |
| Publication | Kolkata Gazette Part II | Gazette of India Part IV |
| Adult eligibility | West Bengal domicile, 18+ under the state guideline | Adult name-change route under Central Government guidelines |
| Application method | Online process | Documents submitted to the Department of Publication |
| Affidavit/undertaking | State-prescribed requirements | Central Government prescribed requirements |
| Newspaper requirement | Required as part of the state application | One daily local leading newspaper is specified in the central guideline |
| Final publication | Kolkata Gazette Part II | Gazette of India Part IV |
Which route should you use?
Use the Gazette route that matches your eligibility and the documentation requirement for the purpose for which you need the notification.
Do not assume that a State Gazette and Gazette of India notification have identical acceptance requirements at every organisation.
The Department of Publication separately publishes its own adult name-change guidelines for Gazette of India Part IV.
For a wider comparison, see our guide to Central Gazette vs State Gazette.
How to Change Your Name Through the Kolkata Gazette in West Bengal
Step 1: Prepare the Name-Change Affidavit
The name-change affidavit establishes the connection between your existing name and your proposed name.
For a Kolkata Gazette Part II name-change application, the West Bengal guideline requires a scanned copy of the original affidavit duly attested by a First Class Judicial Magistrate.
The affidavit must include the relevant details specified by the guideline, including the father’s or husband’s name and residential address.
Before finalising the affidavit
Check:
- Existing name
- Proposed new name
- Father’s or husband’s name
- Residential address
- Affidavit number
- Attestation details
The spelling of the existing and proposed names should remain consistent throughout the documentation.
Step 2: Publish the Required Newspaper Advertisement
The Kolkata Gazette Part II guideline requires a scanned copy of a recent advertisement on the subject in a daily newspaper as part of the general online application documentation.
The guideline states that the matter should be legible and permits specified languages including:
- Bengali
- English
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Nepali
- Santhali
Keep the published newspaper material after the advertisement appears.
The newspaper document forms part of the application record.
For notice wording, see our newspaper advertisement formats.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents
For a standard name-change application, the West Bengal guideline specifies the following general documents:
- Recent newspaper advertisement
- Photo identity proof
- Two passport-size photographs
- Name-change affidavit
- Any additional documents applicable to the applicant category
The guideline identifies Aadhaar Card, Passport and Driving Licence as examples of acceptable photo ID proof.
For special surname-change cases, additional documents may apply.
For example, the guideline refers to:
- Competent-court decree/order for divorce or separation
- Death certificate in the case of death of the husband
Do not use the standard checklist for a special case without checking the additional-document requirements.
Kolkata Gazette Name Change Documents Checklist
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Name-change affidavit | Declares the proposed name change |
| First Class Judicial Magistrate attestation | Required for the prescribed name-change affidavit |
| Recent newspaper advertisement | Required application document |
| Photo ID | Establishes applicant identity |
| Two passport-size photographs | Required under the published state guideline |
| Additional supporting documents | Required for applicable special categories |
Before uploading the documents
Check that:
- Your old name is spelled consistently.
- Your proposed new name is spelled consistently.
- Your address is accurate.
- Your parent/spouse information is accurate.
- Your affidavit contains the required information.
- Your newspaper advertisement reflects the intended change.
- Scanned documents are clear and readable.
Step 4: Submit the Kolkata Gazette Part II Application Online
The West Bengal guideline provides for an online application process for Kolkata Gazette Part II.
The applicant uploads the prescribed documents through the designated portal and completes the applicable undertaking.
Before pressing submit, compare the information across your:
Affidavit → Newspaper Advertisement → Identity Proof → Online Application → Undertaking
The names and identifying details should be consistent.
Step 5: Pay the Gazette Publication Charge
The published West Bengal Government guideline lists the following printing charge for a change of name:
Change of name: ₹1,100
The guideline states that the payment is made in advance through the GRIPS Portal.
This is the Gazette publication/printing charge specified in the government guideline. It is not the total cost of the entire name-change process.
Additional expenses may arise from:
- Affidavit preparation
- Newspaper publication
- Document preparation
- Scanning or photocopying
- Professional assistance, if used
- Updating other records
Important: The West Bengal guideline explicitly states that charges are subject to change through government notifications. Verify the applicable charge before making payment.
Step 6: Application Scrutiny
After the application is submitted, the documents are scrutinised by the designated team.
The West Bengal guideline states that if the documents are found to be in order, the notification will be issued within the stated processing period.
If a document shortfall or correction is identified, the applicant receives an SMS alert on the registered mobile number and can rectify or amend the application online.
This makes document accuracy important before submission.
Step 7: Gazette Publication
After the application passes scrutiny, the notification is published in the Kolkata Gazette Part II.
The West Bengal Government guideline states:
If the submitted documents are found to be in order, the notification will be issued within 7 days of submission.
The seven-day period should be understood as the processing period stated in the government guideline for an application whose documents are in order.
It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every subsequent record, such as Aadhaar, PAN or bank records, will be updated within seven days.
Step 8: Download the Gazette Notification
After publication, the applicant is informed through the registered mobile number according to the West Bengal guideline.
The guideline directs applicants to download the soft copy of the Gazette from wbgazettepart2.in.
Save the published notification securely.
Keep the Gazette notification together with:
- Name-change affidavit
- Newspaper advertisement
- Identity proof used for the application
- Payment receipt
- Other supporting documents
This creates a complete record of your name-change documentation.
How Much Does Gazette Name Change Cost in West Bengal?
The West Bengal Government’s published Kolkata Gazette Part II guideline lists a ₹1,100 printing charge for publication of a change of name.
The same guideline lists ₹1,100 for the publication of a surname change.
However, the total amount you spend can be higher because Gazette publication is only one part of the overall process.
| Cost component | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Gazette printing charge | Government publication charge |
| Affidavit | Preparation and attestation-related expenses |
| Newspaper | Advertisement/publication expense |
| Document preparation | Printing, scanning or photocopying |
| Professional assistance | Optional service cost |
| Record updates | Depends on the relevant authority |
The government guideline also states that Gazette charges can change through subsequent notifications.
How Long Does Gazette Name Change Take in West Bengal?
The Kolkata Gazette Part II guideline states that the notification will be issued within 7 days of application submission if the documents are found to be in order.
The complete name-change journey can take longer because it includes several separate stages:
Affidavit → Newspaper Advertisement → Gazette Application → Document Scrutiny → Gazette Publication → Download → Other Record Updates
The seven-day figure therefore refers to the Gazette notification stage described by the West Bengal Government, not necessarily the entire process of changing your name across every document.
What Is the Kolkata Gazette Name-Change Affidavit Format?
The West Bengal Gazette guideline provides a prescribed undertaking for a change of name.
The undertaking connects:
Applicant → Existing Name → New Name → Affidavit → Residential Address → Identity of Old and New Name
The published undertaking includes a declaration that the existing and new names belong to the same person.
A simplified example of the structure is:
I, [Existing Name], son/daughter/wife of [Parent or Spouse Name], residing at [Address], have changed my name from [Existing Name] to [New Name] vide Affidavit No. [Number] sworn before [Prescribed Authority]. Henceforth, I shall be known as [New Name] instead of [Existing Name].
This example explains the structure only.
Use the current official undertaking and affidavit requirements when preparing the actual application.
Do not assume that an online sample automatically satisfies the government’s current requirements.
What Should the Newspaper Advertisement Contain?
The newspaper advertisement should accurately communicate the intended name change.
The important details should be checked against the rest of your documentation.
Before publication, verify:
- Existing name
- New name
- Father’s or husband’s name where applicable
- Residential address where required
- Spelling
- Other identifying information required by the applicable format
The most important practical rule is consistency.
If the affidavit uses one spelling and the newspaper advertisement uses another, the documentation can become inconsistent and may require correction.
What Happens After Gazette Publication?
Gazette publication does not automatically update every document containing your previous name.
After receiving the Gazette notification, make a list of the records that still contain your old name.
Depending on your circumstances, these can include:
Government records
- Aadhaar
- PAN
- Passport
- Voter ID
- Driving Licence
Financial records
- Bank accounts
- Insurance policies
- Investment accounts
- Loan records
Employment records
- Employer records
- Payroll records
- HR documentation
Education records
- School records
- College records
- University records
- Other educational documents
Each organisation can have its own process.
The Gazette notification should therefore be treated as part of your supporting documentation rather than as an automatic instruction to every database to change your name.
Gazette of India Name Change for West Bengal Residents
A West Bengal resident may also encounter the Gazette of India Part IV adult name-change process.
The Central Government’s Department of Publication publishes separate guidelines for this route.
The adult guideline specifies documents including:
- Undertaking signed by the applicant
- Original newspaper
- Prescribed proforma in duplicate
- Signatures of two witnesses
- Soft-copy material in the prescribed format
- Two self-attested passport-size photographs
- Self-attested photo ID
- Request letter
- Applicable publication fee
The Central Government guideline also states that the name change must be advertised in one daily local leading newspaper and that the original newspaper should be forwarded to the Department of Publication.
It directs completed documents to the Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054.
The Central Government guideline also states that the submitted documents must not be older than one year.
These requirements are separate from the Kolkata Gazette Part II process, so applicants should not mix the two document checklists.
Our Gazette name change process guide covers the Central route step by step.
Kolkata Gazette or Gazette of India: Which One Should You Choose?
The correct Gazette route depends on the applicant’s eligibility and the documentation requirement for the purpose of the name change.
Kolkata Gazette Part II may be relevant when:
- You are an eligible West Bengal domicile.
- You meet the state Gazette eligibility requirements.
- The required notification can be made through the West Bengal Gazette route.
Gazette of India may be relevant when:
- The Central Government route is specifically applicable to your situation.
- You are using the central adult name-change procedure.
- Your circumstances fall under a category covered by the Department of Publication’s guidelines.
If an organisation has specifically told you which Gazette it requires, follow that requirement rather than relying on a generic online checklist.
Common Gazette Name-Change Mistakes
1. Using inconsistent names
Your affidavit, newspaper advertisement and application should not contain different spellings.
2. Assuming ₹1,100 is the complete process cost
The ₹1,100 figure is the printing charge stated in the West Bengal Gazette guideline. Other expenses can apply.
3. Treating seven days as the complete name-change timeline
The seven-day period relates to the Gazette notification when the submitted documents are in order.
4. Choosing a Gazette without checking the requirement
Kolkata Gazette Part II and Gazette of India Part IV are separate government publication processes.
5. Assuming Gazette publication automatically changes all records
You may still need to submit separate requests to the relevant authorities.
6. Using an outdated application format
Government procedures and fees can change. Check the latest official instructions before submitting.
7. Uploading inconsistent documents
The safest approach is to compare every important field before submission.
Gazette Name Change in West Bengal: Final Checklist
Before submitting your Kolkata Gazette Part II application, check:
- You meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
- Your existing name is spelled correctly.
- Your proposed new name is spelled correctly.
- Your affidavit is prepared.
- The affidavit has the required attestation.
- Your father’s or husband’s name is correct where applicable.
- Your residential address is correct.
- The required newspaper advertisement has been published.
- Your photo ID is ready.
- Two passport-size photographs are ready.
- Additional documents for your particular category are ready.
- Your online application matches your supporting documents.
- The applicable government charge has been verified.
- Payment has been completed through the prescribed method.
- You have saved your payment receipt.
- You monitor the registered mobile number for correction alerts.
- You download the Gazette notification after publication.
- You keep the Gazette notification with your supporting documents.
- You identify all records that need to be updated after publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway
A Gazette name change in West Bengal is a documented publication process, not a single form that automatically changes every record in your name.
For an eligible adult domiciled in West Bengal, the Kolkata Gazette Part II process involves the required affidavit, newspaper advertisement, identity documents, photographs, online application, prescribed payment and document scrutiny.
The published West Bengal Government guideline lists ₹1,100 as the printing charge for a change of name and states that an application with documents found to be in order can result in notification within 7 days of submission. The same guideline warns that charges can change through government notifications.
After the Gazette notification is published, you should separately approach the relevant authorities to update records that still contain your previous name.
Before applying, verify the latest official requirements, fee and portal instructions because government procedures can change.
Official sources
- Kolkata Gazette Part II portal
- Kolkata Gazette Part II — Guidelines
- 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.