There may be various reasons why a person may want to change their child’s name legally. It could be for personal, cultural, or religious reasons. Whatever the reason may be, it is important to follow the proper legal procedure to ensure that the name change is recognized by the government and all official documents are updated.

What are the steps to change a child’s name legally in India?

Let’s discuss the process of changing a child’s name legally in India.

Step 1: Decide on the new name

Before you start the process of legally changing your child’s name, you need to decide on the new name. It is important to choose a name that is meaningful and appropriate. The name should not be offensive or inappropriate and should not resemble the name of a famous personality.

Step 2: Prepare the documents

Once you have decided on the new name, the next step is to prepare the necessary documents. The documents required for a child name change in India may vary depending on the state you are in. However, some common documents that may be required include:

• Birth certificate of the child
• Parent’s ID proof (such as aadhaar card, passport, driving license)
• Parent’s residence proof (such as rent agreement, utility bill)
• Consent letter from both parents (if the child is below 18 years of age)
• Affidavit stating the reason for the name change

Step 3: Publish the name change in a local newspaper

As per the law in India, you are required to publish the name change in a local newspaper. This is done to ensure that there are no objections to the name change. You can contact a local newspaper and inform them about the name change. The newspaper will then publish a notice about the name change.

Step 4: Update the child’s name on official documents

Once you have published the name change in Newspaper, the next step is to update the child’s name on all official documents. You will need to submit the court order and the relevant documents to the following authorities:

• Municipal corporation (to update the name on the birth certificate)
• School (to update the name on school records)
• Passport office (to update the name on the passport)

Can i Change my child’s name online?

Yes, there are various online platforms which offer name change packages to change name legally in India. One such online platform is edrafrer that provides this online service for name change in India. Besides name change package, it also provides online services for Anti ragging affidavit, rent receipt for income tax, etc.

Conclusion

Changing a child’s name legally in India requires following the proper legal procedure. It is a time-consuming process that involves preparing the necessary documents, publishing the name change in a local newspaper, filing a petition in the district court, and attending the court hearing. If the court is satisfied with the petition, it will issue an order for the name change. You will then need to update the child’s name on all official documents by submitting the court order and the relevant documents to the relevant authorities.

Written by Surendra