What is the Complete Cost of Changing Name in India?

February 20, 2026

Changing your name in India is a completely legal process, but it involves multiple formal steps and associated costs. Whether you want to change your name after marriage, divorce, due to spelling correction, personal preference, or numerology reasons, you must follow a structured legal procedure.

In this blog, we will explain the complete cost of changing name in India, including affidavit charges, newspaper publication fees, Gazette notification charges, and other related expenses.

Why Do People Change Their Name?

Common reasons include:

Marriage (especially surname change)
Divorce
Spelling correction
Religious conversion
Personal preference
Numerology or astrology reasons
Adoption

The process and cost may slightly differ depending on whether the applicant is a minor or an adult.

Step-by-Step Process of Name Change in India

The name change process usually involves three main steps:

Preparation of Affidavit
Newspaper Publication
Gazette Notification

Let’s break down the cost of each step.

1. Cost of Name Change Affidavit

The first step is preparing a name change affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper. This affidavit declares your old name, new name, and reason for the change.

Estimated Cost:

Stamp paper: ₹10 to ₹100 (depends on state)
Drafting charges: ₹200 to ₹1,000
Notary charges: ₹100 to ₹500

Total Approximate Cost:

👉 ₹300 to ₹1,500

The stamp duty applicable is governed by the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and respective state stamp laws.

2. Cost of Newspaper Publication

After preparing the affidavit, you must publish your name change in two newspapers:

One local/regional language newspaper
One English newspaper

Estimated Cost:

Regional newspaper: ₹700 to ₹1,500
English newspaper: ₹800 to ₹2,000

Total Approximate Cost:

👉 ₹1,500 to ₹3,500

The cost depends on:

City
Newspaper popularity
Size of advertisement
Number of lines in the notice

Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore may have slightly higher charges.

3. Cost of Gazette Notification

The final and most important step is publishing your name change in the Official Gazette.

Gazette publication makes your name change legally recognized by government authorities.

Estimated Government Charges:

For individuals:

₹1,100 to ₹1,700 (approx.)

For central government employees:

Slightly higher fees may apply.

You need to submit:

Affidavit copy
Newspaper publications
Application form
Identity proof
Passport-sized photographs
Required fee

Gazette publication is done through the Department of Publication under the Department of Publication.

Total Gazette Cost:

👉 ₹1,100 to ₹2,000

Complete Cost Summary of Name Change in India

Here is a rough estimate of total expenses:

Step	Approximate Cost
Affidavit	₹300 – ₹1,500
Newspaper Publication	₹1,500 – ₹3,500
Gazette Notification	₹1,100 – ₹2,000
Total Estimated Cost	₹3,000 – ₹7,000

Additional Costs (If Applicable)

You may also incur extra costs for:

Professional legal services: ₹1,000 – ₹3,000
Courier and documentation charges
Updating documents like:
- Aadhaar
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Bank accounts
- Driving license

Each authority may charge separate update fees.

Is Gazette Mandatory for Everyone?

For most official purposes (passport, PAN, government records), Gazette publication is strongly recommended.

However:

Married women changing surname sometimes skip Gazette if they have a marriage certificate.
Minor name change may require additional documentation.

Still, Gazette notification is considered the most legally strong proof.

How Long Does It Take?

The complete process usually takes:

2 to 4 weeks (depending on state and Gazette processing time)

Gazette publication may take 15–45 days after submission.

Online Name Change Cost

Many online legal service providers offer complete name change packages.

Typical package cost:
👉 ₹2,500 to ₹6,000 (including affidavit drafting, newspaper ads coordination, and Gazette filing)

This saves time and reduces errors in documentation.

Important Points to Remember

Keep multiple copies of Gazette notification
Ensure spelling accuracy before submission
Preserve newspaper copies carefully
Update all major IDs after name change

Once Gazette is published, your new name becomes legally valid across India.

Conclusion

The complete cost of changing name in India generally ranges between ₹3,000 to ₹7,000, depending on your city, newspaper charges, and professional assistance.

While the process involves multiple steps—affidavit, newspaper publication, and Gazette notification—it ensures that your new name is legally recognized in all official records.

If done correctly, the name change process is smooth and legally secure. Proper documentation and compliance with legal requirements will help you avoid future complications.

Virtual Legal