Changing a child’s surname is a significant step, often made to reflect a new family identity after divorce, adoption, or other personal circumstances. Indian law allows parents or guardians to legally update a child’s surname to ensure official records align with their present reality.
✅ Reflect Family Identity – Align the child's name with current guardianship or family unit.
✅ Correct Official Records – Ensure all school and government records are updated.
✅ Future Clarity – Avoid confusion in documents and processes as your child grows.
Whether it’s due to divorce, remarriage, adoption, or personal preference — a child’s surname can be legally updated to reflect their current family circumstances. Indian law provides a structured process to make this change official through affidavits, newspaper publication, and Gazette notification.
At ApplyNameChange.in, we simplify the child surname change process, ensuring you meet all legal requirements without stress. Our expert team supports you from documentation to publication.
Give your child a name that reflects their identity — legally and emotionally.
Affidavit Creation
A sworn affidavit stating the child’s current and new surname with parental consent.
Newspaper Publication
Announce the child’s name change in a regional and English daily.
Gazette Notification
Apply for publication in the Official Gazette to complete the legal process.
Gazette notification ensures the name change is valid across all legal and educational institutions.
Easily update your child’s name on Aadhaar, passport, PAN card, and school documents.
Clarifies legal guardianship and resolves issues in school, travel, or future legal matters.
Gives your child a consistent identity within the family, helping them feel secure and supported.
Affidavit signed by parents/guardian stating the surname change.
Published ad in both local language and national newspapers.
Original or copy of the child’s birth certificate showing old surname.
Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport copies of both or legal guardian.
Proof of Gazette notification application payment.
We understand the sensitivity and importance of updating your child’s surname. That’s why our services are discreet, legally robust, and fully guided.
From affidavit to Gazette publication, we take care of every detail.
We explain every step clearly and assist you with documents and deadlines.
We maintain strict confidentiality, especially when legal or emotional matters are involved.
Your child deserves a name that reflects love, family, and future. We’ll help make that official.
In India, many families initiate a surname change for children due to changing personal or legal circumstances. This change is fully supported by the Indian legal system, provided the process is properly documented and published.
The child’s surname is updated to match the custodial parent’s name.
The child adopts the surname of the new legal guardian or step-parent.
After legal adoption, the child’s name is often changed to reflect the new family unit.
If the surname on the birth certificate is incorrect or inconsistent with family records.
To reflect beliefs or community identities (e.g., following conversion).
Yes. Ideally, consent from both parents is required. However, if only one parent has sole custody or there’s a legal order, the process can proceed with that guardian’s approval.
Yes. Once the Gazette notification is published, you can submit it to your child’s school or educational board to request an official update in records and certificates.
The process generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. This includes time for affidavit drafting, newspaper publication, and the Gazette office processing. We help expedite wherever possible.
Yes. Once published in the Gazette of India, the name change becomes official and permanent unless a future legal process is initiated to change it again.