When you change your name, the Government of Gujarat publishes it in its official gazette. That published proof is what banks, the passport office, schools and the RTO commonly ask for — an affidavit alone is often not enough.
નામ બદલો ત્યારે ગુજરાત સરકાર તેને સરકારી ગેઝેટમાં પ્રસિદ્ધ કરે છે. એ પ્રસિદ્ધ પુરાવો સામાન્ય રીતે બેંક, પાસપોર્ટ ઓફિસ, શાળા અને આર.ટી.ઓ. માંગે છે — ઘણી વાર માત્ર સોગંદનામું પૂરતું નથી.
An affidavit is not a name change
People often stop at an affidavit and assume the job is done. It is not. An affidavit is a statement you made. A gazette notification is the state of Gujarat publishing that change in its official record. Passport offices, banks, universities and the RTO often treat them differently, and many will ask for the gazette — though the exact requirement depends on the authority and the purpose.
As a gazette name change agent and consultant in Vadodara, we handle the whole file end to end — a name spelling correction in the Gujarat Gazette, a full name or surname change, the newspaper advertisement, and the publication at the Government Printing Press. We quote the government fee and our charge separately, before any work begins.
ઘણા લોકો માત્ર સોગંદનામું (affidavit) કરાવીને માની લે છે કે નામ બદલાઈ ગયું — પણ એવું નથી. સોગંદનામું એ ફક્ત તમારું નિવેદન છે. ગેઝેટ એટલે ગુજરાત સરકાર દ્વારા તમારા નામ ફેરફારને સત્તાવાર રીતે પ્રસિદ્ધ કરવો. પાસપોર્ટ ઓફિસ, બેંક, યુનિવર્સિટી અને આર.ટી.ઓ. — બધા ગેઝેટ માંગે છે, માત્ર સોગંદનામું નહીં.
Gazette, affidavit and court order — what is the difference?
A general comparison. Which one your case needs depends on the authority you are dealing with.
| Aspect | Gazette (ગેઝેટ) | Affidavit (સોગંદનામું) | Court Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Official state publication of the change | A sworn declaration before a notary | A formal order of a court |
| Issued by | Government Printing Press | Prepared by you, notarised | Judicial court |
| Newspaper ad | Commonly required (1 English + 1 Gujarati) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Usual role | Main proof for updating Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Bank | Supporting document, often alongside | Only in specific legal situations |
What to update afterwards in order: 1. Aadhaar -> 2. PAN -> 3. Bank & KYC -> 4. Passport -> 5. School/Board -> 6. RTO, Insurance & Property.
Checking your own gazette status — free on e-Gazette Gujarat
The Government of Gujarat e-Gazette portal has a free public name-change search. The trick almost nobody knows: fill in ONLY ONE box — your mobile number or application number from your receipt. Leave everything else empty, then search. If you filed through us, message us anytime and we will check the stage for you free of charge.
Which case is yours?
After marriage
લગ્ન પછી અટક બદલોA new surname or full name after the wedding, and the records that follow it.
After divorce or loss
છૂટાછેડા પછી નામ ફેરReverting to a maiden name, or a change after a divorce or a spouse's death.
Spelling or surname mismatch
જોડણી / અટક સુધારોAadhaar says one thing, PAN another, the school certificate a third. One identity, finally.
Passport objection
પાસપોર્ટ નામ વાંધોThe application is on hold over a name mismatch, a blank surname or an FNU entry.
Aadhaar limit used up
આધાર અપડેટ મર્યાદા પૂરીUIDAI allows only a limited number of name updates. Past that, a gazette is usually the strongest proof.
A child's name
બાળકનું નામ બદલોFiled by the parents, usually because the school record and Aadhaar disagree.
Documents we will ask for
Send clear photos of what you have on WhatsApp (+91 97247 20077) — we will verify them before you make a trip.
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✓
Aadhaar cardShowing the current name
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✓
PAN cardCopy of current PAN card
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✓
Birth certificate or School Leaving Certificate (LC)Age & birth record proof
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✓
Address proofLight bill, ration card or rent agreement
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✓
Two recent passport photographsOf the applicant
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✓
Marriage certificateOnly for a surname change after marriage
How the file moves · પ્રક્રિયા
A sworn declaration of the old name, new name and reason, e-stamped and notarised. Same day.
One English and one Gujarati daily. We place both and keep the original cuttings, which the gazette office asks to see.
The application goes to the Government Printing Press. Once published, you receive the official gazette copy.
Update Aadhaar first, then PAN, Bank, Passport, and Property/RTO records in the right sequence.
Common questions · વારંવાર પૂછાતા પ્રશ્નો
For some minor purposes, yes. For a passport, a bank, a university record or the RTO, no — they ask for the gazette. If the change matters, do it properly the first time.
નાના કામ માટે સોગંદનામું ચાલે, પણ પાસપોર્ટ, બેંક, યુનિવર્સિટી કે આર.ટી.ઓ. માટે ગેઝેટ જ જોઈએ.
No. It is proof of the change, not an update. Each authority is applied to separately, under its own rules.
ના. ગેઝેટ માત્ર પુરાવો છે. આધાર, પાન દરેક જગ્યાએ અલગ અલગ અરજી કરવી પડે છે.
Yes. A minor's name change is filed by the parents, with the child's birth certificate, school record and the parents' identity documents.
હા. બાળકના નામ ફેર માટે માતા-પિતા અરજી કરે છે — જન્મ પ્રમાણપત્ર અને શાળા રેકોર્ડ સાથે.
No — one English daily and one Gujarati daily. We place both and keep the original cuttings.
ના — એક અંગ્રેજી અને એક ગુજરાતી છાપું. બંને અમે આપીએ છીએ.
A state gazette notification is a recognised government publication and is commonly accepted across India. Acceptance still rests with the authority you present it to, so tell us the destination in advance.
ગુજરાત ગેઝેટ સમગ્ર ભારતમાં સામાન્ય રીતે સ્વીકારાય છે.
No, and nobody honestly can. We can guarantee the file is drafted and submitted correctly, which is what prevents most rejections. The decision belongs to the government.
ના — કોઈ સાચી રીતે ગેરંટી ના આપી શકે. અમે ફાઈલ સાચી બનાવવાની ખાતરી આપીએ છીએ, નિર્ણય સરકારનો છે.