Download the official Gazette application form for name change in Maharashtra. This form is essential for legally updating your name in government records through Gazette publication.
Designed to make your application experience smooth, fast, and stress-free.
Clear instructions and required documents outlined for hassle-free application.
Only natives can apply, making the eligibility straightforward and specific.
No need for third-party attestation—attest documents yourself.
Get your Gazette in just 5 days or delivered directly to your address.
Just ₹750 for the full application process—no hidden charges.
Pay securely through e-Challan (online or offline). No cash accepted.
Collect your Gazette or track it online without delays.
Get help from the Assistant Director (P) if you need guidance or support.
Application Instructions
The applicant must sign with their old name. For minors, parents/guardians should sign, with an Attested Legal Guardianship order where possible.
All certificates should be self-attested.
Applicant should be a native of this state with a declaration made.
There should be a valid reason for changing the name.
Rs. 750/- (G.O. Ms.No.250, dated 11.10.2023).
In Person: e-Challan (no cash). Send the counterfoil following payment.
By Post: Payments by e-Challan only. No DD/Cheque/Postal Orders. Send the form with counterfoil.
Forenoon: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (No holidays)
Only official forms will be accepted. No Xerox copies.
Ensure correct Door No. and PIN Code are provided.
Specify the district of birth.
Punctuate initials and name correctly.
Required for applicants aged 60+ from a Government doctor.
The new name cannot be an alias.
If no birth certificate is available, submit an age certificate from a Government doctor.
Attach a passport-size photograph, self-attested.
Collect your Gazette within 5 days, or it will be sent by post.
In case of return, retrieve in person within 6 months.
Required supporting documents for each case type
Please ensure all conditions are met before applying.
Only the applicant should sign the form using their old name.
All documents must be self-attested.
Only natives of the state can apply.
Must provide a valid reason.
Rs. 750/- as per G.O. Ms.No.250, dated 11.10.2023.
e-Challan only (no cash).
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except holidays).
Only official forms will be accepted. No Xerox copies.
For further details, contact:
Log in to the e-Gazette portal (gazette.mahaonline.gov.in), accessed via Aaple Sarkar. Click "Rajpatra Status," select the Part Two (Miscellaneous) service, and search using your Application ID or Registration Number. Once your registration number is available, a "View Gazette" link opens your file for download as a PDF. [NEEDS VERIFICATION: exact publication timeline before the link becomes available — I found inconsistent figures across sources (7–15 days, 15–22 working days, 25–45 days); confirm directly via the portal's status tracker rather than relying on a fixed number.]
The portal isn't built with mobile in mind, so switching your browser to "Desktop site" mode and allowing pop-ups (since the PDF may open in a new tab) will help. If it still doesn't work on mobile, a desktop browser is the more reliable option for this portal.
Check the file size first — a file showing 0 KB or only a few KB means the download didn't complete, which is the most common cause. Re-download from the portal, confirm the file ends in .pdf, and open it with a proper reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader rather than an unfamiliar third-party app, since digitally signed government PDFs don't always render correctly elsewhere. If it's still broken after a fresh download, that points to an issue on the department's end rather than your device. [NEEDS VERIFICATION: I could not confirm an official DGPS support email or helpline for this specific issue — check dgps.maharashtra.gov.in directly for current contact details rather than relying on any email address from a third-party source.]
This is confirmed in the official user manual: use the search filters for Division, Section, From Date, To Date, and Gazette Type (Ordinary or Extra-Ordinary) on the e-Gazette portal, then download the full volume as one PDF. Since a weekly volume can run hundreds of pages, use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) to search for a specific name within the file rather than scrolling manually. If you just need your own approved certificate, the simpler route is searching by your Application ID or Registration Number under Rajpatra Status, as above.
Generally yes — government Gazette PDFs carry a digital signature that can be validated (for example, in Adobe Acrobat Reader), and this is what gives the file its legal standing rather than a physical stamp. [NEEDS VERIFICATION: I found no confirmation of a specific "Online Verification Box" or standalone lookup tool on the Maharashtra portal for third parties to verify a document by entering a code — if this feature exists, confirm its name and location directly on dgps.maharashtra.gov.in before publishing instructions referencing it by name.]
No — a published Gazette notification is a permanent legal record. It does not need renewal, and it remains valid for future government, financial, and legal use indefinitely.
The publication fee paid during your original application covers your record being published; I found no separate confirmed download fee. That said, I'd treat "no download fee" as a reasonable general expectation rather than a confirmed official policy line — and would flag clearly to readers that any third-party site charging extra to "download" a public Gazette record should be treated with suspicion.
For Maharashtra specifically, use the e-Gazette portal (gazette.mahaonline.gov.in) via Aaple Sarkar, searching by Application ID or Registration Number under Rajpatra Status. For the Central Gazette of India, use egazette.gov.in instead.
Yes, provided it carries a valid digital signature.
Yes, though switching to desktop site mode in your mobile browser is recommended, since the portal isn't fully mobile-optimized.
Confirm you're searching the correct portal — Maharashtra's state Gazette and the Central Gazette of India are separate databases — and double-check your search filters (date range, division, section) match your application details.
For the Central Gazette of India, name changes are listed in Part IV. For the Maharashtra State Gazette, name changes fall under Part Two – Change in Name, a distinct section confirmed in the official DGPS user manual.
I found no confirmed separate download fee beyond the original publication fee — treat any third-party site charging extra for a "download" with caution.
Yes — a properly downloaded, digitally signed copy from either the Central or Maharashtra State Gazette is generally accepted by these institutions as proof of name change.
To download your approved certificate, follow these steps:
Visit the e-Gazette portal at gazette.mahaonline.gov.in or aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in.
Log in using your registered User ID and Password.
Click on "Track Application" or "Transaction History" to view your submitted applications.
Locate your entry using your application reference number.
Check the status column. If it displays "Published" or "Approved," click the Download button to save it as a PDF.
This is a common issue caused by a brief system lag between application approval and backend file publication. The digital PDF generation usually takes an additional 1 to 2 working days. Try logging out, clearing your browser cache, or opening the portal in an incognito window. If the download link still does not appear after 3 working days, contact customer support at dgps.support@mahaonline.gov.in.
Yes. For a smooth download on mobile, use a stable network connection and follow these layout adjustments:
Open the portal via the Google Chrome app.
Tap the browser menu (three dots) and select "Desktop site" mode so all hidden buttons display properly.
Enable pop-ups in your browser settings, as the certificate often opens in a new tab.
An error typically indicates a broken or incomplete file download. Check the file properties; if it reads 0 KB, the download was interrupted by network instability. Log back into the portal and re-download the file. For best results, open the document using an official PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat, as basic or generic mobile preview apps struggle to read secure government digital signatures.
If you need a complete weekly compilation rather than an individual certificate:
Go to the homepage of gazette.mahaonline.gov.in.
Select your relevant division and section (for name changes, select "Part Two – Change in Name").
Input the From Date and To Date for that specific publication week.
Select the gazette type (Ordinary or Extra-Ordinary) and click "View Gazette" to download the full volume.
Use the Ctrl + F search command to quickly find your specific entry in the document.
Do not scroll manually through thousands of records. Open the saved PDF file using a dedicated desktop viewer application and press Control + F (or Command + F on Mac) to launch the search function. Enter your old surname or your unique application reference number to pinpoint your exact row instantly.
Yes. The modern Maharashtra e-Gazette features built-in security protocols for instant third-party verification, eliminating the need for physical paperwork validation:
Secure QR Code: A high-resolution validation graphic is embedded in the upper margin of your document.
Online Verification Box: Institutions can copy and paste your unique alphanumeric index code directly into the portal verification page.
Digital Signature: The document features an official cryptographic validation marker that confirms its authenticity.
To maintain platform speed, the active user dashboard only displays direct download links for a specific duration after issuance before moving files into deep archive storage. This archive status does not impact the legal validity of your document. You simply need to enter your original transaction details into the portal's historical repository tool to generate a fresh download copy.
You can reset your account credentials online using the automated retrieval system:
Click the "Forgot Password" link on the primary portal login page.
Select your preferred verification path (registered mobile number or email address).
Provide your profile identity details exactly as written on your original forms.
Input the security OTP sent to your device to open a temporary portal access path and access your files.
All minor child profile updates are linked directly to the primary adult profile used during initial setup. Log into the master parent account, navigate to your main family services ledger or transaction history tab, locate the child's unique reference entry code, and click the document download button.
The Department of Government Printing and Stationery (DGPS) intentionally locks your domicile details to show the exact address that was legally active when you first filed the application. Because a Gazette publication functions strictly as legal proof of an identity change (and not an address update), your document remains fully valid across all government desks even if you have since moved.
No. The base application and processing fee settled during your initial submission covers your digital access window. The official public platform does not charge secondary service fees to download or print your file. Avoid third-party scam websites requesting extra fees to process your public documents.
Legacy or hybrid folders filed via older, physical office desks require a manual data-linking step before they can be downloaded online:
Create and verify a user profile on the modern e-Gazette portal.
Navigate to the legacy data linking module inside your account settings.
Input your physical receipt serial code and the exact date your application folder was stamped.
Wait for the processing desk to verify the physical records and link them to your digital profile row.
The state platform frequently upgrades its underlying cryptographic protection modules to shield citizen database records from automated scraping scripts. To ensure compatibility, make sure your internet browser is updated to the latest stable version, confirm that JavaScript execution is enabled in your browser's security panel, and turn off corporate VPN extensions while downloading.
Passport verification offices require uncropped, high-resolution document prints. When saving your file, ensure the document download contains clear margins with all tracking borders and barcode segments visible, use a high-density download to preserve digital signature metadata, and print the full page layout without scaling down.
Site timeout errors indicate that the state server nodes are experiencing a heavy volume of concurrent user traffic. To bypass timeouts, attempt to access the document repository outside of peak government hours (such as early mornings or late evenings), disconnect from slow networks, or clear your browser data before re-running the query.
The Maharashtra Government has replaced traditional ink stamps and manual signatures with secure, legally binding cryptographic digital signatures located at the footer of the document. Under national digital protocols, this embedded cryptographic file carries complete legal authority nationwide. You do not need to travel to a physical office desk in Mumbai to obtain an ink stamp.
You can use the portal's advanced guest directory tool to run an identity-matching search:
Open the public directory index on the main portal landing screen.
Enter your exact old legal name in the first text field.
Fill in your date of birth and your specific registration district in the filter rows.
Execute the query to locate your unique certificate row and download link from the public results.
Yes. Central passport agencies, corporate verification desks, and international visa validation counters regularly accept digital state publications. To ensure a smooth experience, print your digital file on high-quality white paper to keep the barcode sharp, present the full uncropped page, and carry your original newspaper publication sheets as matching supplementary proof.
Documents are flagged due to character typos or spelling mismatches between your Gazette filing and your primary identity cards (Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport). Even a minor typo or missing initial can pause a validation check. Always ensure your user profile entries exactly mirror your primary identification credentials.
Do not rely solely on the live state cloud servers for long-term document recovery. Protect your legal records by saving the unmodified digital PDF file onto two separate physical drives (such as an external hard drive or flash drive), keeping a backup copy in a secure, private cloud storage account, and keeping a high-clarity physical printout in your personal records.
If you discover a typo in a published document, you must file a correction request before you can download a revised certificate:
Open the active dispute panel inside your personal portal user dashboard.
Upload a high-resolution scan of your original newspaper notice to highlight the clerical error.
Submit a formal correction statement detailing the adjustments.
Once the review desk updates your master record, the updated PDF will be available for download.
To protect citizen records from automated scraping software, the state portal automatically triggers a temporary security block if it detects rapid, repetitive file requests from a single network address. If you are locked out, disconnect your internet router for ten minutes to cycle your IP address, avoid using download managers, and wait 24 hours for the automated lock to clear.
No. The download URLs generated inside your personal user profile contain sensitive verification paths tied directly to your private citizen identity account. Instead of sharing a direct link, download the standalone PDF file to your local device and send it to external verification agencies as an email attachment, or let them scan the public QR code on your printed hard copy.
Records published prior to the launch of the digital portal are maintained in physical archive storage blocks. To retrieve a legacy record, write a formal application letter to the DGPS Department Supervisor in Mumbai, providing your publication year, volume index number, and old name details. Pay the standard historical search fee at your local district treasury desk to receive a verified copy.
The e-Gazette portal schedules regular automated database sync and system maintenance windows during off-peak hours—typically between 1 AM and 4 AM. If you run into a database synchronization error during this window, check the homepage for scheduled status alerts, wait for the maintenance window to close, clear your browser history, and restart your search tool.
Yes. Educational boards and university registrars accept official state e-Gazette publications as authoritative proof of identity. Provide the administrative desk with a high-resolution printout of your full Gazette page, your matching identity cards, and your institution's formal correction request form to update your student registration records.
No. Once an identity update notification is formally published in the state gazette, it becomes a permanent, lifelong modification to the public record. The document never expires and does not require periodic renewal. You can continue to print and use your saved digital file for all future legal, financial, and government processes.
The database intentionally displays your old name and your new name side-by-side to maintain a clear, transparent chain of identity. This layout allows verification officers to quickly cross-reference your historical documents against your updated credentials while preventing individuals from using an identity update to evade financial or legal responsibilities.
To avoid rejection at government validation counters, adhere to these printing rules:
Use standard, high-quality white paper.
Set your printer orientation to Portrait mode and disable any "fit to page" or aggressive scaling options that might shrink the margins.
Verify that the top tracking barcode block and the bottom digital signature lines print cleanly without any ink smudges or alignment cutoff.
Example 1: I, XYZ Nair Nilkamal Estate, Mumbai, have changed my name permanently to XYZ Nair.
Example 2: I, Lalitkumar S Lal, have changed my name to Piyush S Lal as per affidavit dated 20th December 2016.
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