Name Change Affidavit in Uttarakhand
What the affidavit must say, a sample format, where to get it notarised in your district, what it costs and what it can and cannot do.
A name change affidavit in Uttarakhand is a sworn statement on non-judicial stamp paper that gives your old name, new name, father's or husband's name, address and reason. You sign it before a notary public. It usually costs Rs 100 to Rs 500. It is the first step, and it is not proof by itself.
A name change affidavit in Uttarakhand is the first paper of a legal name change, and every later paper copies from it. This page explains the name change affidavit in Uttarakhand in full: what it must say, a sample format, the stamp paper and the notary, the cost and the mistakes that cause trouble later.
The affidavit is step one of three. For the whole process, read our main guide to name change in Uttarakhand. For the last step, see gazette name change in Uttarakhand.
What Is a Name Change Affidavit?
An affidavit is a written statement that you swear to be true. A name change affidavit says, in a few numbered lines, that you were known by one name and will now be known by another.
It is typed on non-judicial stamp paper and signed by you before a notary public, who then signs and seals it. The person who makes an affidavit is called the deponent.
- It is your own statement. No office issues it to you.
- It is made in your own district. You do not go to Dehradun or Delhi for it.
- It is the base paper. The newspaper notice and the Gazette form repeat its wording.
What Can a Name Change Affidavit Do, and What Can It Not Do?
Most wasted trips in a name change come from one belief: that the affidavit changes the name. It does not.
It can
- Record your decision to change your name, on oath
- Start the legal process
- Support a newspaper notice and a Gazette file
- Support a small correction, along with other proof, where an office accepts it
- Explain later how two names belong to one person
It cannot
- Change your name in Aadhaar, PAN or a passport by itself
- Stand in for the Gazette where an office asks for the Gazette
- Correct a birth certificate
- Correct a school or board certificate
- Bind any office to accept the new name
For a real change of name, Aadhaar, PAN and the passport office ask for the Gazette notification. The affidavit starts the change. The Gazette finishes it.
When Do You Need a Name Change Affidavit?
| Your case | Affidavit needed? | What else |
|---|---|---|
| Changing to a different name | Yes | Newspaper notice and Gazette |
| Adding or dropping a surname | Yes | Newspaper notice and Gazette |
| Child's name change | Yes, by both parents or the guardian | Newspaper notice and Gazette |
| Surname after a registered marriage | Often not for Aadhaar, PAN and the bank | The marriage certificate usually does the work |
| Typing mistake in Aadhaar | Usually not | The right supporting document under the Aadhaar rules |
| Mistake in a birth certificate | As the Registrar asks | A Registrar correction, not a name change |
| Mistake in a board certificate | As the board asks | The board's own correction process, through your school |
If your case is in the last four rows, you may not need a name change affidavit at all, or you may need a different one in the format that office gives. Ask the office first. If you are unsure, ask us, and we will tell you before you spend anything.
What Must a Name Change Affidavit Contain?
| Part | What to write | Common error |
|---|---|---|
| Your old name | Exactly as on your identity proof | A pet name or short form that is on no document |
| Father's or husband's name | Full name, as on his own papers | A different spelling from your identity proof |
| Age | Your age in years | Left blank |
| Address | House, street or village, post office, district, Uttarakhand, pin code | An address that differs from Aadhaar |
| Your new name | The spelling, spacing and initials you want for life | Decided in a hurry at the notary's table |
| The reason | One plain, true line | A long story, or no reason |
| One and the same person | That both names belong to you | Left out |
| Future use | That you will be known by the new name from now on | Left out |
| Verification | That the contents are true, with place and date | No date, or a wrong place |
| Signatures | Yours in the old name, and the notary's signature, seal and register number | Signed in the new name |
"S Rawat", "S. Rawat" and "SRawat" are three different names to a Government database. Decide the exact form before the affidavit is typed, because the newspaper and the Gazette will print what the affidavit says.
What Is the Format of a Name Change Affidavit?
This sample shows the usual layout for an adult. The name and address are made up. A notary may use slightly different words.
AFFIDAVIT
I, Suresh Singh Rawat, son of Mohan Singh Rawat, aged 32 years, resident of 14, Nehru Colony, Dharampur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:
1. That my name is recorded as Suresh Singh Rawat in my Aadhaar card and other documents.
2. That I have changed my name from Suresh Singh Rawat to Suresh Rawat for personal reasons.
3. That Suresh Singh Rawat and Suresh Rawat are the names of one and the same person, that is, myself.
4. That in future I shall be known as Suresh Rawat for all purposes.
5. That I am making this affidavit to publish the change in a newspaper and in the Official Gazette.
Deponent
[Signature in the old name]
Verification: Verified at Dehradun on [date] that the contents of this affidavit are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and nothing has been concealed.
Deponent
[Signature in the old name]
The notary adds a stamp and seal, a signature, the date and an entry number from the notarial register. Check that all of these are on the paper before you leave.
How Does the Affidavit Change for Marriage, Divorce and Minors?
After marriage
Write "wife of" with your husband's name. Give your maiden name, your married name and the date of marriage. Attach the registered marriage certificate. Sign in the maiden name if that is the name on your identity proof.
After divorce
State that you are taking back the name you used before marriage. Give the court, the case number and the date of the decree. Attach a certified copy of the decree.
For a child under 18
The parents make the affidavit, not the child. Both parents sign, or the legal guardian. Give the child's old name, new name, date of birth and the parents' details. Where only one parent signs, a custody or guardianship order is needed.
Central Government employees follow a separate office procedure with a deed, not this affidavit. State Government employees should ask their establishment section what the service record needs.
Which Stamp Paper Is Used, and Who Attests the Affidavit?
Stamp paper
- An affidavit is made on non-judicial stamp paper. Judicial stamps are for court fees and are not used here.
- The value needed for an affidavit is small. The stamp vendor or the notary will tell you the current value in Uttarakhand.
- Buy it from a licensed stamp vendor, usually found at the district court or the tehsil. E-stamp paper is also issued in the state.
- The stamp paper should be bought in your name, and its date should be the same as or before the date of the affidavit.
Who attests it
- A notary public is the usual choice. Notaries sit at every district court in Uttarakhand and at many tehsils.
- An affidavit may also be sworn before an oath commissioner or a magistrate.
- For the Gazette, check the current guidelines of the Department of Publication for who may attest, most of all for a minor's case.
At the notary's table
- You sign in front of the notary. Do not sign the paper at home.
- Carry your original photo identity proof. The notary may ask to see it.
- Read every line once more before you sign.
- Ask the notary to enter it in the register and write the entry number on the affidavit.
How Do You Make a Name Change Affidavit in Uttarakhand?
Step 1: Decide the exact new name
Fix the spelling, the spacing and the initials. Write it down and do not change it afterwards.
Step 2: Collect your details
Keep your identity proof, your father's or husband's name as on his papers, and your full address with pin code.
Step 3: Type the draft
Type the affidavit on plain paper first, using the format above, and read it aloud once.
Step 4: Buy the stamp paper
Buy non-judicial stamp paper of the current value in your own name.
Step 5: Print the affidavit on the stamp paper
Print the final text. Avoid handwriting and avoid corrections by pen.
Step 6: Sign before the notary
Sign in your old name in front of the notary, who then signs, seals and enters it in the register.
Step 7: Make copies and keep the original safe
Scan the affidavit, take a few photocopies and keep the original flat in a folder. The original goes into the Gazette file.
Where Can You Get the Affidavit Notarised in Uttarakhand?
At the district court of your own district, or at a tehsil where a notary sits. You do not have to travel outside your district.
| District | Division | District headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Dehradun | Garhwal | Dehradun |
| Haridwar | Garhwal | Roshnabad |
| Pauri Garhwal | Garhwal | Pauri |
| Tehri Garhwal | Garhwal | New Tehri |
| Rudraprayag | Garhwal | Rudraprayag |
| Chamoli | Garhwal | Gopeshwar |
| Uttarkashi | Garhwal | Uttarkashi |
| Nainital | Kumaon | Nainital, with Haldwani the largest town |
| Udham Singh Nagar | Kumaon | Rudrapur |
| Almora | Kumaon | Almora |
| Bageshwar | Kumaon | Bageshwar |
| Champawat | Kumaon | Champawat |
| Pithoragarh | Kumaon | Pithoragarh |
Larger towns such as Haldwani, Roorkee, Rishikesh, Kashipur and Kotdwar also have courts or tehsil offices where notaries work. Ask locally before you travel to the district headquarters.
Our associate office is at the Dehradun District Court on Haridwar Road, near Prince Chowk. Clients who prefer to come in person have the affidavit drafted and notarised there. For other districts, we draft the affidavit on WhatsApp and you sign it before a notary near you.
How Much Does a Name Change Affidavit Cost in Uttarakhand?
| Item | Typical cost | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp paper and notary together | Rs 100 to Rs 500 | The stamp vendor and the notary |
| Typing and printing | A small amount | A typist or a shop near the court |
| Our drafting help | Quoted per case | Us, shown as a separate line |
The cost differs from one notary to another. Ask the charge before the work starts. There is no Government fee for making an affidavit beyond the stamp paper itself.
The affidavit is the cheapest of the three steps. The newspaper notice usually costs Rs 800 to Rs 4,000 for each paper, and the Central Gazette fee is commonly Rs 1,100 for an adult. See gazette name change time and fees for the full bill.
How Long Does a Name Change Affidavit Stay Usable?
An affidavit does not carry an expiry date. But the Gazette office asks for supporting documents that are not older than one year. So in practice, the affidavit should be less than one year old on the day your Gazette file is sent.
- Make the affidavit only when you are ready to go on to the newspaper notice and the Gazette.
- If you made one long ago and stopped, make a fresh one before you file.
- After the Gazette is published, keep the affidavit for life. Offices ask for the affidavit, the newspaper page and the Gazette as a set.
What Comes After the Affidavit on the Central Gazette Route?
Most people from Uttarakhand file the Gazette of India, because it is accepted everywhere. These are the steps that follow the affidavit.
Step 1: Publish the newspaper notice
Print the change in a daily newspaper read in your district, with the same wording as the affidavit. Keep the full original page. See newspaper notice for gazette name change.
Step 2: Type the prescribed form
Type the Department of Publication's form in two copies. Sign in your old name, and have two witnesses sign.
Step 3: Prepare the soft copy and the undertaking
Make the soft copy from the same typed file, and sign the undertaking.
Step 4: Pay the fee on BharatKosh
Pay the Government fee online and print the receipt.
Step 5: Post the file to Delhi
Send the complete file by Speed Post to the Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi 110054.
Step 6: Download the published Gazette
Watch Part IV of the weekly Gazette on egazette.gov.in and download the PDF when your notice appears.
No agent can submit the file in your place. The application goes in from the applicant, in person or by post or courier.
What Comes After the Affidavit on the Uttarakhand Gazette Route?
The state Gazette is printed by the Government Press at Roorkee. Its rules and rates are set by the press, so the first step is a question.
Step 1: Ask the Roorkee press what is open
Take the contact from govtpress.uk.gov.in. Ask if a private name change notice is being accepted, the fee and the papers.
Step 2: Publish the newspaper notice
Use the same wording as the affidavit, in the paper and language the press asks for.
Step 3: Pay the state fee
Pay by treasury challan or the state portal, as the press directs, and keep the receipt.
Step 4: Submit the file to the press
Send or hand in the papers and keep a photocopy of each.
Step 5: Download the notice from the state portal
Search gazettes.uk.gov.in and save the PDF.
To choose between the two routes, read Uttarakhand Gazette vs Gazette of India before you make the newspaper notice.
Which Mistakes in the Affidavit Cause Trouble Later?
| Mistake | What it causes | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| The new name is spelt in a hurry | The wrong spelling is printed in the newspaper and the Gazette | Decide it in writing before typing |
| The old name is not the name on any document | Offices cannot link the affidavit to you | Copy it from your identity proof |
| It is signed in the new name | The Gazette file is returned | Sign in the old name |
| No notary seal or register number | The affidavit is treated as not attested | Check the paper before you leave |
| The address differs from Aadhaar | Questions at the Aadhaar centre later | Use the Aadhaar address |
| Only one parent signs for a child | The minor's file is not accepted | Both parents sign, or add the custody order |
| Corrections by pen on the stamp paper | Doubt about the paper | Print a clean copy |
| The affidavit is treated as the final step | Banks and offices refuse the new name | Go on to the newspaper notice and the Gazette |
| It is older than one year when you file | The Gazette file is returned | Make a fresh one |
A typical case we handle: a man in Dehradun made an affidavit at the court, took it to his bank and to the Aadhaar centre, and was turned back at both. Nobody had told him it was only the first step. We used the same affidavit, which was three months old, booked the newspaper notice and prepared the Gazette file. This is an illustrative example of the type of case we handle, not a named client review.
When you do not need us
An affidavit is a simple paper. With the format on this page, a typist near the court and a notary, you can make it yourself in an hour or two. You do not need a lawyer for it. We are useful when you want the spelling locked across all three steps, or when the case involves a child, a marriage, a divorce or a service record. Our charge is quoted per case.
Which Areas of Uttarakhand Do We Cover?
All 13 districts: Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh. We draft the affidavit on WhatsApp, and you sign it before a notary in your own district.
People Also Ask About the Name Change Affidavit
Is an affidavit enough to change my name in Uttarakhand?
No. It is the first step. For a real change of name, Aadhaar, PAN and the passport office ask for the Gazette.
Which stamp paper is used for a name change affidavit?
Non-judicial stamp paper. The stamp vendor or notary will tell you the current value for an affidavit in Uttarakhand.
Can I make a name change affidavit online?
You can get it drafted online. To be notarised, it is signed by you in front of the notary.
Who can attest a name change affidavit?
A notary public is the usual choice. An oath commissioner or a magistrate may also attest an affidavit.
Do I need a lawyer for a name change affidavit?
No. You need a notary. A lawyer is needed only where a court matter is involved.
Is a witness needed for a name change affidavit?
Notaries often ask for a witness, so take one adult with identity proof. The Gazette form, separately, needs two witnesses.
Is e-stamp paper valid for a name change affidavit?
E-stamp paper is issued in Uttarakhand and can be used for an affidavit. Buy it in your own name, dated on or before the affidavit.
Can I sign the affidavit at home and send it to the notary?
No. You sign in front of the notary, who then signs, seals and enters it in the register.
Does the notary keep a record of the affidavit?
Yes. The notary enters it in the notarial register and writes the entry number on the affidavit.
Can the affidavit be in Hindi?
Yes, but English is safer for a Central Gazette file. If it is in Hindi, write the names in English letters as well.
Do I need to give a reason in the affidavit?
Yes. One plain, true line is enough, such as personal reasons or marriage.
Can one affidavit be used for Aadhaar and the passport?
For a real change of name, both ask for the Gazette. Keep a second notarised original, because the one sent with the Gazette file is not returned.
Get the Affidavit Right, Because Everything Copies From It
Tell us your old name, your new name and your district. We will tell you if you need an affidavit at all, draft it and confirm the spelling with you in writing, before you pay anything.
- 📞Call 9540005026
Mon to Sat: 9 AM to 6 PM - WhatsApp 9540005064
Send your scans here, it is the fastest way - ✉️Info@uttarakhandnamechange.com
- 📍Dehradun District Court, 47/9, Haridwar Road, Near Prince Chowk, Court Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001
Name Change Affidavit in Uttarakhand: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a name change affidavit?
Is an affidavit alone enough for a name change in Uttarakhand?
How much does a name change affidavit cost?
Where can I get a name change affidavit made?
What details go in the affidavit?
In which name do I sign the affidavit?
Should the affidavit be typed or handwritten?
In which language should the affidavit be?
How long is a name change affidavit valid?
Do both parents sign the affidavit for a child?
Does a married woman need a name change affidavit?
Can an affidavit correct my birth certificate?
Will a bank accept a name change affidavit?
Do I need a new affidavit if I already made one last year?
How many copies of the affidavit should I keep?
Do you draft the affidavit for people outside Dehradun?
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Who Wrote and Reviewed This Page?
This page is written by the Documentation Desk Team of UttarakhandNameChange.com, the team that drafts name change affidavits and prepares Gazette files for people across Uttarakhand, with an associate office at the Dehradun District Court.
It is reviewed by Advocate Vipin Chauhan.
The sample affidavit is the usual layout and is not an official form. The name and address in it are made up. The page does not state a stamp paper value, because that is set by the State Government and can change, and it tells you where to confirm it.
Official Sources for the Name Change Affidavit
- Department of Publication, Government of IndiaThe change of name guidelines, which list the affidavit among the papers and say who may attest it.
- Stamps and Registration Department, UttarakhandThe State Government department for stamp duty and stamp paper.
- Unique Identification Authority of IndiaAadhaar name update rules, including the updates that need no Gazette.
- Civil Registration System, Office of the Registrar General of IndiaBirth registration and Registrar corrections, which an affidavit cannot replace.
- The Gazette of India, e-Gazette portalWhere the notice that follows the affidavit is published.
Name Change Affidavit in Uttarakhand: The Short Version
The affidavit is a sworn statement on non-judicial stamp paper with your old name, new name, father's or husband's name, address and reason. You sign it in your old name before a notary at your district court. It usually costs Rs 100 to Rs 500.
It is step one of three. The newspaper notice and the Gazette follow, and for a real change of name the Gazette is what offices ask for. Decide the spelling before it is typed, and file within a year. For a draft checked letter by letter, message us on WhatsApp 9540005064, and we will reply in working hours.
Start Your Name Change With a Clean Affidavit
Send your old name, new name and district on WhatsApp. We draft the affidavit and confirm the spelling before it is notarised.