Quick answer: To change your name in Punjab, make a notarised affidavit, publish the change in two newspapers, fill the typed proforma with two witnesses, pay Rs 1,100 on BharatKosh, and post the file to the Department of Publication in Delhi. The notification comes out in the Gazette of India in 30 to 45 days. The whole process takes about 45 to 60 days.
A gazette name change is a public notice of your new name, printed in the Gazette of India, Part IV. The passport office, banks, UIDAI and most government offices accept it as proof of your new name.
This page explains the name change procedure in Punjab in plain words. You will see which gazette to use, the exact steps, the real government fees, the documents you need, and what to update after the notification comes out. It also tells you when you do not need a gazette at all, because we would rather you spend Rs 0 than pay for something you do not need.
Name Change Procedure in Punjab at a Glance
| Gazette used | Central Gazette (Gazette of India, Part IV) |
| Where the file goes | Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054 |
| Government fee | Rs 1,100 adult, Rs 1,700 minor, Rs 3,500 for Indians abroad |
| Payment mode | Online only, on bharatkosh.gov.in |
| Newspaper ads | Two daily newspapers, one in Punjabi or Hindi and one in English |
| Time | 30 to 45 days after the file reaches Delhi |
| Who posts the file | You, in your own name |
| Our Punjab office | Phase 6, Sector 57, Mohali |
Key Takeaways on Name Change in Punjab
- Punjab has its own Punjab Government Gazette, but we found no published citizen procedure, form or fee for a personal name change in it. The documented route is the Central Gazette.
- The filing address is always Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054. There is no gazette filing counter for this route in Mohali, Ludhiana or Chandigarh.
- Payment is online only on BharatKosh. There is no demand draft, no cash and no CD to burn. Pages that ask for a CD are quoting old rules.
- Agents are barred from submitting applications. The file goes in your own name. We prepare it, and you post it.
- A gazette is proof of your new name, not a correction. After it is published, you still apply to Aadhaar, PAN, passport and your bank one by one.
Table of Contents
- Which gazette for name change in Punjab?
- Facts other websites get wrong
- Common reasons for name change
- 7-step name change procedure
- Documents required
- Gazette name change fees
- How long it takes
- When you do not need a gazette
- What to update after the gazette
- Name change after marriage
- Name change for a minor
- Areas we serve in Punjab
- Why choose us
- People also ask
- Contact our Mohali office
- FAQs
Which Gazette Do You Use for Name Change in Punjab?
Many people in Punjab get confused here, so here is the honest position. There are two gazettes. The Central Gazette is the Gazette of India. It is run by the Department of Publication in Delhi and comes out every Saturday in Part IV. The Punjab Government Gazette is the state gazette. State notices are published in it through the Controller of Printing and Stationery, Punjab, in ordinary and extraordinary issues.
When we read the top Punjab pages, many of them tell you to apply at a state gazette office, and then give a Delhi address a few lines later. That mix is wrong and confusing. We could not find any published Punjab government procedure, form or fee for a personal name change in the state gazette. The Central Gazette, on the other hand, has a clear form, a clear fee and online payment. So the Central Gazette is the route we file for Punjab residents.
Punjab Government Gazette vs Central Gazette: Which One for Name Change?
| Point | Punjab Government Gazette | Central Gazette of India |
|---|---|---|
| Published by | Controller of Printing and Stationery, Punjab | Department of Publication, Delhi |
| What it carries | State government notices | Part IV, every Saturday, at egazette.gov.in |
| Citizen procedure for name change | None published that we could find | Clear process, filed by post |
| Government fee | Not published for citizens | Rs 1,100 adult, Rs 1,700 minor, on BharatKosh |
| Time | Not defined for citizens | 30 to 45 days |
| Our route | Not offered, and we say so openly | Yes, this is the route we file |
Living in Chandigarh? Chandigarh is a Union Territory, not part of Punjab. The same Central Gazette route applies to you, and our Mohali office is right next door.
Name Change Procedure in Punjab: Facts Other Websites Get Wrong
We read the top ranking Punjab pages on this topic before writing this one. These are the mistakes we found, corrected against government sources and our own filing experience.
- Wrong: apply at the state gazette office in Mohali, then the file goes to Delhi. Right: the Central Gazette file is filed only with the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054, by post. There is no counter for it in Mohali or Chandigarh.
- Wrong: the Central Gazette office has a Punjab address with a 110054 pincode. Right: 110054 is a Delhi pincode. Any Punjab address with that pincode is wrong.
- Wrong: visit the office in person and carry a CD of scanned documents. Right: CD and demand draft rules are gone. Payment is online on BharatKosh only, and the paper file goes by post.
- Wrong: your gazette comes in 2 to 3 weeks, or in 7 days. Right: publication takes 30 to 45 days after the file reaches Delhi. The whole process takes about 45 to 60 days.
- Wrong: a name change in Punjab costs Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000. Right: the government fee is Rs 1,100 for an adult and Rs 1,700 for a minor. Anything above that is a service, newspaper or notary charge, and it should be shown to you separately.
- Wrong: you must file a court petition for an ordinary name change. Right: the gazette route does not need a court petition for an ordinary adult name change.
- Wrong: an agent will submit the application for you. Right: agents are barred. The file goes in your own name. A consultant prepares it, and you send it.
- Wrong: a wrong spelling in a birth certificate is fixed through the gazette. Right: it is fixed by the Registrar of Births and Deaths. In Punjab you apply through a Sewa Kendra or by post.
Common Reasons for Name Change in Punjab
Name Spelling Correction
Fix a wrong spelling in your name across all documents.
Name Change After Marriage
Add your husband's surname or change your name after marriage.
Singh, Kaur and Surname Change
Add, drop or change Singh, Kaur or a family surname legally.
Back to Maiden Name
Return to your original name after a divorce.
Minor Name Change
Change a child's name, applied by a parent or guardian.
Numerology Name Change
Adjust the spelling of your name for numerology reasons.
Name Change After Religion Change
Update your legal name after a change of religion.
Same Name on All Documents
Make Aadhaar, PAN and certificates show one same name.
Name Change Procedure in Punjab: 7 Steps
Here is the full Central Gazette route, written out completely. The steps are the same whether you live in Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar or a village in any Punjab district.
Prepare a notarised name change affidavit
Make an affidavit on stamp paper with your old name, new name, address and the reason for the change. Get it attested by a notary. For the Central Gazette route, a notary is enough.
Publish newspaper advertisements for the name change
Publish the name change advertisement in two daily newspapers circulated in your area, one in Punjabi or Hindi and one in English. Keep the complete original pages. The Department of Publication wants the full page, not a cutting.
Fill the typed proforma with two witnesses
Type the Department of Publication proforma. Two witnesses sign it with their details. One detail trips most people: the deponent and both witnesses sign in the old name, because legally the new name does not exist yet.
Pay the gazette fee of Rs 1,100 on BharatKosh
Pay the government fee online at bharatkosh.gov.in. This is the only payment mode. Print and keep the receipt for the file.
Post the file to Delhi in your own name
Post the complete file to the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054. It must go in your own name. Agents are barred from submitting on behalf of applicants, so anyone promising to submit it for you is not telling you the truth. Documents once submitted are not returned, so keep your own set of copies.
Wait for publication in Part IV of the Gazette of India
Your notification is published in the Gazette of India, Part IV, which comes out weekly on Saturday. This usually takes 30 to 45 days after the file reaches Delhi.
Download your gazette copy free
Download the published PDF free from egazette.gov.in. Hard copies stopped on 1 October 2015. The downloaded copy is valid as it is and needs no certification from anyone.
Our part and your part: We draft the affidavit, write the newspaper ads, book them, prepare the proforma, guide the witness signatures, help with the BharatKosh payment and check every page before it goes in the envelope. You sign, and you post the file in your own name. That split is the rule, not our choice, and we follow it openly.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in Punjab
Notarised Affidavit
The original affidavit with old name, new name and reason.
Newspaper Pages
Complete original pages of both advertisements, not clippings.
Typed Proforma
Signed by you and two witnesses, all in the old name.
Photo ID Proof
Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or a similar photo ID.
Address Proof
A document that shows your current address.
Passport Size Photos
Recent photographs of the applicant.
BharatKosh Receipt
The printed receipt of your online fee payment.
Reason Document
A marriage certificate or divorce decree, where it applies.
One-year rule: Documents must not be older than one year on the date of submission. An affidavit made two years ago can get your file rejected. Also remember that documents, once submitted, are never returned.
Gazette Name Change Fees and Pricing in Punjab
Our service fee and the government fee are always shown separately, so you know exactly what you pay and to whom.
Basic
Government fees extra
- Name change affidavit drafting
- Notary guidance
- Gazette application file prepared
- Email support
Complete
All-inclusive, government fees extra
- Everything in Basic
- Local language + English newspaper ads arranged
- Full gazette file, checked page by page
- BharatKosh payment help
- Priority WhatsApp support
Government Fees
Adults / Minors, paid to the government
- Paid online through BharatKosh only
- Stamp paper for the affidavit
- Newspaper advertisement charges
- Aadhaar or PAN update fees, if any
Government fees are separate from our service fee and are paid directly to the government. Newspaper charges depend on the papers you choose and are shared before you pay.
Full Government Fee List for Gazette Name Change
| Case | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult name change | Rs 1,100 |
| Minor name change | Rs 1,700 |
| Public notice gazette | Rs 1,350 |
| Indians living abroad | Rs 3,500 |
| Each alias name added | Rs 250 extra |
There are some separate costs on top of the government fee. These are stamp paper and notary charges, and the newspaper advertisements. Ad rates depend on the paper and the length of your notice. Ask us for current rates before you book.
How Long Does Name Change Take in Punjab?
Total: about 45 to 60 days. Anyone promising a gazette in 7 days is not describing the Central Gazette. Timelines depend on the government department and on how accurate your documents are.
When You Do Not Need a Gazette Name Change in Punjab
We will tell you plainly when you should not hire us, or anyone.
- A small spelling error in one document: If your name is right everywhere except one record, apply to that office directly. A wrong entry in a birth certificate, for example, goes to the Registrar of Births and Deaths. The Punjab Government form is submitted at a Sewa Kendra or by post, with a letter to the District Registrar. It does not need a gazette.
- Surname after marriage, Aadhaar only: If you only want your husband's surname added in Aadhaar, your marriage certificate may be enough on its own. Check that free route first.
- You just want a new spelling for daily use: Simply start using it. A gazette matters when your official records must match.
Remember: a gazette is proof of your new name, not a correction. It does not rewrite any register on its own. After publication, you still apply to every office separately. We say this before you pay us, not after.
After the Gazette: Update Your Documents in the Right Order
The order matters, because each office checks the one before it. Follow this order and you avoid repeat visits.
- Aadhaar first. Most offices verify it. Aadhaar allows a name change only twice in a lifetime, and the update is done in person at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
- PAN next. A PAN update is a correction, not a new card. Your PAN number stays the same for life.
- Passport. A passport is never edited. Every name change is a reissue with a new passport number, and existing visas do not transfer.
- Bank accounts. No Indian bank completes this fully online. A branch visit is needed for signature checks, so carry the gazette, Aadhaar and PAN together.
- Everything else: voter ID, driving licence, school and board certificates, insurance, property records and employer records.
Name Change After Marriage in Punjab
The route is the same 7 steps, with your marriage certificate attached as the reason document. Many women change only the surname, and many Sikh families add or change Singh or Kaur. The steps do not change. Two honest pointers. First, check whether the office you care about accepts the marriage certificate alone, because for Aadhaar it often does. Second, if a passport is involved, the gazette route is the safe one, since the passport office checks name changes closely.
Name Change for a Minor in Punjab
A parent or legal guardian applies on the child's behalf. The government fee is Rs 1,700. For an ordinary minor name change, no court order is needed. After publication, school records are corrected through the school. Do this before the board exams, because the Class 10 certificate later becomes the strongest name proof a person carries.
Name Change Service in All 23 Districts of Punjab
We serve every district of Punjab from our Mohali office, by phone, WhatsApp and post. You do not need to visit us. The process itself never needs a visit to any gazette office.
Why Choose Our Punjab Name Change Service
Fewer Rejections
5+ years of direct filing with the Department of Publication. We know what gets a file returned: old documents, wrong-name signatures, clippings instead of full pages.
Honest Gazette Advice
We tell you agents cannot submit for you, we tell you when the free route is enough, and we always quote two separate numbers.
Done From Home
Drafting, ad booking, payment help and file checking, all by phone and WhatsApp, anywhere in Punjab.
Help After the Gazette
We guide the Aadhaar, PAN, passport and bank order, so nothing is done in the wrong sequence.
People Also Ask About Name Change in Punjab
Can I change my name online in Punjab? Mostly, yes. The affidavit and posting are physical steps. But ads are booked online or by phone, the fee is paid online, and the gazette copy is downloaded online. There is no Punjab government website where you apply for a personal name change directly, and any site claiming to be one is a private service.
Is a newspaper ad alone enough to change my name? No. Many people believe an affidavit and a newspaper ad finish the job. Most government offices, and every passport office, ask for the gazette notification.
What is the name change fee in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar or Mohali? It is the same everywhere. The government fee is Rs 1,100 for an adult, because the fee is central, not city based. If someone quotes a higher government fee for your city, they are padding it.
Do I have to visit the gazette office in Mohali or Chandigarh? No. The Central Gazette file is posted to Delhi. You do not file it at a counter in Mohali or Chandigarh. You are welcome to visit our Mohali office to sign your papers, but the government never asks for a visit.
Get a Free Call Back from Our Mohali Office
One form, one call, and you will know your exact steps and your exact cost, with the government fee and our fee quoted as two separate numbers.
Name Change Procedure in Punjab
Punjab Office: Phase 6, Sector 57, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Punjab 160055
Head Office: Burari Metro Station, Street No 1, Hardev Nagar, First Shop, Delhi 110084
Call: 9540005064
WhatsApp: 9540005002
Email: info@namechangeprocedureinpunjab.com
Hours: Mon to Sat, 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Prefer talking? Call us directly. Prefer typing? Fill the form and we call you back the same working day.
Get Call and Name Change Format
Loading the enquiry form...
Name Change in Punjab: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gazette notification compulsory for name change in Punjab?
For a full legal name change, yes in practice. The passport office, banks, UIDAI and most government departments ask for it as proof. An affidavit and a newspaper ad alone are not accepted everywhere. For fixing a small spelling error in one document, you often do not need a gazette at all.
Does Punjab have its own gazette route for personal name change?
Punjab has its own Punjab Government Gazette, published through the Controller of Printing and Stationery, Punjab. But we found no published citizen procedure, form or fee for a personal name change in it. Punjab residents use the Central Gazette, the Gazette of India, run by the Department of Publication in Delhi.
What is the government fee for gazette name change in Punjab?
Rs 1,100 for an adult and Rs 1,700 for a minor, paid on bharatkosh.gov.in. Indians abroad pay Rs 3,500. Adding an alias name costs Rs 250 extra. Newspaper ads, stamp paper and notary charges are separate.
How long does the name change process take in Punjab?
The affidavit and newspaper steps take about a week. Publication in the Gazette of India then takes 30 to 45 days after the file reaches Delhi. Plan for about 45 to 60 days in total.
Can I do the whole name change process from home in Punjab?
Yes, almost fully. The affidavit is made locally, ads are booked by phone or online, the fee is paid online, and the file goes by post. You download the published gazette from egazette.gov.in. No trip to Delhi is needed.
Which newspapers should I use for the name change ad in Punjab?
Two daily newspapers circulated in your area, one in Punjabi or Hindi and one in English. Keep the complete original pages. The Department of Publication wants full pages, not cuttings.
Can an agent submit my gazette application for me?
No. The Department of Publication bars agents from submitting applications. The file goes in your own name, by post or courier. We prepare everything, and you send it. Anyone who claims they will submit it for you is misleading you.
What documents do I need for gazette name change in Punjab?
The notarised affidavit, complete original newspaper pages, the typed proforma signed by two witnesses, photo ID, address proof, passport size photographs and the BharatKosh receipt. Documents must not be older than one year, and submitted documents are not returned.
How do I change my name after marriage in Punjab?
It is the same route, with the marriage certificate attached as the reason document. Many families also add or change Singh or Kaur, and the steps stay the same. If you only want a surname added in Aadhaar, check first whether the marriage certificate alone can do it, because that route is free.
How does name change work for a minor in Punjab?
A parent or legal guardian applies on the child's behalf through the Central Gazette. The fee is Rs 1,700. For an ordinary minor name change, no court order is needed.
Is the downloaded gazette copy valid without certification?
Yes. Hard copies stopped on 1 October 2015. The PDF you download from egazette.gov.in is valid as it is, with no certification, stamp or attestation needed.
Which document should I update first after the gazette?
Aadhaar first, then PAN, then passport, then bank accounts, then everything else. Aadhaar is the base document most other offices check.
People also search for: gazette name change in Punjab, name change procedure in Mohali, name change after marriage in Punjab, name change fees in Punjab, gazette notification download, name change agent in Mohali, minor name change in Punjab, Singh Kaur surname change.
Official Sources
- egazette.gov.in, where the Gazette of India, Part IV is published and downloaded free.
- bharatkosh.gov.in, where the government fee is paid online.
- Punjab Government form: Correction in Birth Certificate, which shows how birth certificate corrections go to the Registrar through a Sewa Kendra.
- Punjab Revenue Department notice, which shows that state notices go to the Controller of Printing and Stationery, Punjab for the Punjab Government Gazette.
The Department of Publication change of name guidelines are cited here as text. Facts on this page are checked against these sources and our own filing experience. Where sources conflict, we say so on the page instead of guessing.
The Short Version: Name Change Procedure in Punjab
For a legal name change in Punjab, use the Central Gazette. Make a notarised affidavit, publish ads in two newspapers, fill the typed proforma with two witnesses who sign in your old name, and pay Rs 1,100 on BharatKosh. Then post the file to the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054, in your own name. Agents cannot submit it for you. Your notification comes out in Part IV of the Gazette of India in 30 to 45 days, and you download it free from egazette.gov.in. The whole process takes about 45 to 60 days. After that, update Aadhaar first, then PAN, passport and bank. Our fee and the government fee are always shown as two separate numbers. Call 9540005064.