How to Change Your Name in the Maharashtra Gazette in 2026: Affidavit, Newspaper Ads, Application and Timeline
A legal name change in Maharashtra needs an affidavit, two newspaper ads and publication in the Maharashtra Government Gazette. Steps, documents and timeline.
Photo: Udaykumar PR / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To change your name legally in Maharashtra, swear a name change affidavit before a notary or executive magistrate, publish the change in one Marathi and one English newspaper, and then apply to the Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra, to have it published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette. The process usually takes about four to six weeks after you submit the application.
Most people need this after marriage, divorce, adoption, a spelling error in school records, or a wish to drop or add a surname. A gazette notification is the document that passport offices, banks, universities and employers accept as final proof of the change.
Step-by-step: name change through the Maharashtra Gazette
- Affidavit: Prepare a name change affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper stating your old name, new name, reason and address. Sign it before a notary or executive magistrate, with your photograph.
- Newspaper notices: Publish a short name change notice in one Marathi newspaper and one English newspaper circulating in your area. Keep the original full-page copies.
- Application: Fill in the gazette application form in the prescribed format, with your old and new names exactly as in the affidavit.
- Submit: Submit the form, affidavit, newspaper copies, ID proof, photographs and a soft copy of the matter (as the Directorate asks) to the Directorate’s office, and pay the fee. The main office is at the Government Central Press, Charni Road, Mumbai; check whether your application can be filed online or at a regional government press before you travel.
- Publication: The change is published in the relevant part of the Maharashtra Government Gazette. Download or collect a copy and keep several printouts.
Documents you will need
- Notarised name change affidavit (original)
- Original copies of both newspaper notices
- Completed gazette application form
- Identity and address proof, such as Aadhaar, passport or PAN
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Supporting documents where relevant: marriage certificate, divorce decree or adoption deed
- For a minor, the application is made by a parent or guardian with the child’s birth certificate
State gazette or central gazette?
The Maharashtra Government Gazette is enough for most uses within India by Maharashtra residents, including Aadhaar, PAN, bank and passport updates. Some people choose the Gazette of India, published by the central Department of Publication in Delhi, especially if they live outside Maharashtra or the requesting authority asks for it. Ask the authority that needs the proof which one it accepts.
Fees and timeline
Expect to pay for the stamp paper and notary, the two newspaper notices (the biggest cost, depending on the newspaper), and the gazette publication fee set by the Directorate. Check the current gazette fee on the Directorate’s official notice or at the counter before paying. Publication normally follows within about four to six weeks of a complete application.
After publication: update your records
- Aadhaar: update at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or enrolment centre with the gazette copy
- PAN: apply for correction online with the gazette copy
- Passport: apply for reissue with change of name
- Bank, employer, university and property records, one by one
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my name in the Maharashtra Gazette?
Make a notarised affidavit, publish notices in one Marathi and one English newspaper, then apply with these documents to the Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications for gazette publication.
How long does a Maharashtra gazette name change take?
Usually about four to six weeks after a complete application is submitted, plus the time for the affidavit and newspaper notices.
Is a gazette needed for a name change after marriage?
Not always. A marriage certificate is often enough for a passport, but a gazette helps when other records such as degrees or bank accounts need changing.
Which newspapers are needed for a name change?
One Marathi and one English newspaper that circulate in the area where you live.
Is the Maharashtra Gazette valid for a passport?
Yes, a state gazette notification is generally accepted. Confirm with the passport office for your case.
