Name Change Affidavit
Draft the affidavit that starts a name change: your old name, your new name, the reason and the records you will update, laid out for stamp paper.
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- Updated October 2026
The affidavit behind a name change
People change their names for many reasons: taking a spouse's surname after marriage, going back to a maiden name after a divorce, dropping or adding a middle name, or simply choosing a name they prefer. Whatever the reason, offices want a sworn statement that links your old name to your new one. That statement is the name change affidavit, and it is usually the first document you prepare.
This page opens the Name change format with the reason, spouse and records fields ready. Put your new name in "Your full name" and your old name in "Old name". The draft then says you were known by the old name, that you have changed it, that you will be known by the new name from now on, and that both names belong to the same person.
What goes into it
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| New name (deponent) | Priya Sharma |
| Relation and name | wife of Amit Sharma |
| Old name | Priya Verma |
| Reason | Personal reasons, marriage (with spouse and date) or divorce |
| Records to update | Aadhaar, PAN, passport and bank records |
| Purpose | submission to the passport office |
If you leave "Records to update" empty, that paragraph drops out, the rest renumber themselves, and the verification says "paragraphs 1 to 4" instead of 5.
The usual sequence
- Affidavit. Print the draft on stamp paper of the value your state or the receiving office asks for, and sign it before a notary or oath commissioner.
- Newspaper notice. Many people publish the change in one or more newspapers and keep the full page as proof.
- Gazette. For a lasting public record, the change can be published in a gazette. Change-of-name notices appear in Part IV of the Gazette of India, and states publish their own gazettes too.
- Update your records one by one. Each office has its own form and list of proofs.
Not every office needs all of these. A bank may accept a marriage certificate alone, while another office may want the gazette copy. Ask first, so you don't pay for steps you don't need.
Name change after marriage
Choose "Marriage" as the reason and add your spouse's name and the date of marriage. The first paragraph then reads, for example, "That my old name was Priya Verma and I have changed my name to Priya Sharma after my marriage with Amit Sharma on 10 February 2025." Keep your marriage certificate with the affidavit; many offices ask for both. After a divorce, choose "Divorce" and the paragraph refers to the divorce instead.
Checks before you sign
- Spell both names exactly as you want them recorded, letter for letter, including initials and spaces.
- Write your relation's name as it appears on your ID.
- Don't sign until you are in front of the notary, and carry ID showing at least one of the names.
- Make a few photocopies of the notarised affidavit, because several offices may each keep one.
This is a draft format, not legal advice, and a false affidavit is an offence. Everything you type stays in your browser. If only the spelling differs between documents, switch to the One and the same person format instead.
Other affidavit formats
Need more options? Open the full Affidavit Format Generator.
Frequently asked questions
What should a name change affidavit say?
Your old name and new name, your father's or husband's name, age and address, the reason (such as marriage), that you will be known by the new name from now on, and that both names belong to the same person. It ends with a verification and is sworn before a notary.
Is an affidavit enough to change my name?
Often it is only the first step. Many people also publish the change in newspapers and in the Gazette of India (Part IV) or their state gazette. Offices such as the passport office, banks and boards each set their own requirements, so ask them.
Do I need a name change affidavit after marriage?
Many women keep their maiden name, and that is fine. If you take a new name, offices usually ask for proof such as a marriage certificate, and some also ask for an affidavit. Choose 'Marriage' as the reason to add your spouse's name and the date.
What if my name is only spelt differently in two documents?
That is usually a 'one and the same person' affidavit rather than a name change. Choose that format in the tool and list each spelling with the document it appears in.
Can I make it in Hindi?
Yes. Choose हिन्दी to get the नाम परिवर्तन शपथ पत्र, with a Hindi verification and notary block.