Gazette Name Change in Bihar: Process, Documents
Introduction
A legal name change in Bihar may be required when a person wants to replace an old name with a new name, add or remove a surname, adopt a different surname, change a child's name after adoption, or establish a new name for future official records. A person may also choose a different name simply because they do not like or feel comfortable with their existing name, or may adopt a new name following religious conversion.
Simply using a different name socially does not by itself update Aadhaar, passport, PAN, educational records, bank accounts or other official documents.
For Bihar residents, one area that often creates confusion is the difference between the Bihar Gazette and the Gazette of India. Bihar does have an official e-Gazette system operated through the Bihar Secretariat Printing Press, Gulzarbagh, Patna. However, the Bihar e-Gazette website mainly provides access to Bihar Government gazettes and departmental notifications.
The Government of India Department of Publication, on the other hand, publishes specific official guidelines for individual change of name, surname changes, minor name changes, adoption cases and related public notices in Gazette of India Part IV.
Therefore, Bihar applicants should first understand the purpose of the name change, the documents involved and which Gazette route is suitable before preparing the application.
Quick Overview of Gazette Name Change in Bihar
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Adult, minor through parent/guardian, or applicant falling under a special category |
| Central Authority | Department of Publication, Government of India |
| Central Publication | Gazette of India, Part IV |
| Bihar Gazette Authority | Bihar Secretariat Printing Press, Gulzarbagh, Patna |
| Bihar e-Gazette | Official portal for Bihar Government gazettes and notifications |
| Main Central Process | Newspaper notice, undertaking, prescribed Gazette material and supporting documents |
| Submission | Personal submission or post/courier as permitted under applicable guidelines |
| Gazette Download | Published Gazette of India can be accessed electronically |
| Special Cases | Minor, adoption, surname change, maiden surname, religion-related cases etc. may have separate requirements |
| Main Precaution | Old name, new name and personal details should remain consistent throughout the file |
Official Authority for Gazette Name Change in Bihar
There are two different government systems that should not be confused.
Bihar State Gazette Authority
The official Bihar e-Gazette system is associated with the Bihar Secretariat Printing Press, Gulzarbagh, Patna, which operates under the Government of Bihar.
The Press publishes Bihar Gazette notifications and other official government publications.
Official Bihar e-Gazette Portal:
Bihar Government Official e-Gazette Portal
The portal provides access to Ordinary and Extraordinary Bihar Gazette publications and allows users to search Gazette records.
Central Gazette Authority
For publication of an individual's change of name in the Gazette of India Part IV, the relevant Central Government authority is:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054
Official Department of Publication:
https://deptpub.gov.in/
Official e-Gazette of India:
https://egazette.gov.in/
The Department of Publication maintains separate guidelines for different types of name-change and public-notice cases.
Is Gazette Name Change Available Through the Bihar e-Gazette Portal?
Yes, Bihar has an official e-Gazette portal, but there is an important distinction.
The Bihar e-Gazette portal publishes Bihar Government Gazettes and notifications. However, the existence of the portal should not automatically be understood as a standard online individual name-change application facility for every private applicant.
For an individual seeking formal name-change publication, the Government of India's Department of Publication provides a more clearly documented procedure for publication in Gazette of India Part IV.
Therefore, Bihar applicants should first identify which Gazette publication is actually required for their purpose instead of assuming that every personal name change can simply be submitted through the Bihar e-Gazette website.
Why the Central Gazette Can Be a Stronger Choice for Bihar Applicants
It would not be accurate to say that the Central Gazette is legally stronger than every State Gazette in every possible situation.
However, for many Bihar applicants, the Gazette of India can be a stronger practical choice because the Central Government provides a clearly documented procedure specifically for individual name-change publication.
The Central Gazette can be useful because:
- The Department of Publication provides dedicated individual name-change guidelines.
- Separate guidance exists for certain special categories such as minors and adoption.
- The publication is issued in the Gazette of India by the Government of India.
- Gazette publications can be accessed through the official Central e-Gazette system.
- It may be useful where the applicant needs to establish the changed name before authorities outside Bihar.
However, Gazette publication does not automatically require every authority to update its records. Aadhaar, passport, PAN, universities, banks and other authorities may have their own documentary requirements.
Bihar State Gazette vs Central Gazette for Name Change
| Point | Bihar State Gazette | Central Gazette / Gazette of India |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Government | Government of Bihar | Government of India |
| Official Portal | Bihar e-Gazette | Department of Publication / e-Gazette of India |
| Main Public Function | Bihar Government gazettes and notifications | Central Government Gazette publications |
| Dedicated Adult Name-Change Guidelines | Individual public route should be verified | Clearly documented |
| Minor Guidelines | State-specific route must be checked | Separate guidelines available |
| Adoption Publication Guidelines | Applicable State procedure must be checked | Separate guidelines available |
| Publication Scope | State Gazette | Gazette of India |
| Bihar Resident Can Use Central Route | Not applicable | Yes, subject to applicable guidelines |
| Suitable Choice | Depends on purpose and concerned authority | Often clearer for individual Gazette publication |
Gazette Office in Bihar
The principal official printing establishment connected with the Bihar Gazette is:
Bihar Secretariat Printing Press
Gulzarbagh, Patna, Bihar
The Press publishes Bihar Government Gazette material and other official publications.
Applicants should not confuse the Bihar Gazette printing establishment with the Central Department of Publication, which handles Gazette of India Part IV individual name-change publications.
For a Central Gazette name-change application, the relevant address is:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines
Delhi – 110054
Can You Change Your Name in Bihar Without Going Anywhere?
A Bihar resident may be able to complete much of the Gazette application process without personally travelling to Delhi.
Where the applicable Department of Publication guidelines permit postal or courier submission, a complete application can be sent to the Department rather than being submitted personally.
Therefore, a personal visit to Delhi is not necessarily compulsory in every case.
However, the process should not be described as completely paperless or fully online because the applicable procedure may still require physical documents.
The 3 Main Steps of Name Change in Bihar
For a normal individual name-change case, the process can broadly be understood in three stages.
Step 1: Finalise the Name and Complete the Required Public Notice
The applicant should decide the exact old name and new name that will be used throughout the application.
Where required under the applicable Gazette guideline, the applicant publishes the prescribed name-change notice in a newspaper.
Step 2: Prepare the Gazette Application File
The applicant prepares the applicable undertaking, newspaper proof, prescribed Gazette proforma, photographs, identity documents, declarations and other supporting documents.
Special cases may require additional documentation.
Step 3: Submit the Application and Obtain Gazette Publication
The complete file is submitted according to the applicable Government procedure.
After publication, the applicant can locate and download the relevant Gazette publication through the official Gazette system.
Step-by-Step Process for Gazette Name Change in Bihar
1. Finalise the Old and New Name
Before preparing any documents, decide the exact spelling of:
- Old name
- New name
- Father's or husband's name, where applicable
- Residential details where required
A difference between the newspaper notice, declaration and Gazette proforma can create problems in processing.
2. Identify the Type of Name Change
The applicant should determine whether the matter relates to:
- Complete name change
- First-name change
- Addition or removal of surname
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Minor name change
- Adoption
- Parent's second marriage
- Religious conversion
- Personal choice
- Major name mismatch
- Simple document correction
This distinction matters because different cases may require different supporting documents.
3. Publish the Required Newspaper Notice
Where newspaper publication is required under the applicable Gazette procedure, the applicant should publish the required name-change notice containing the prescribed details.
The newspaper proof should be preserved for the Gazette application.
4. Prepare the Undertaking
The undertaking or declaration should contain the old name, proposed new name and other relevant particulars required by the applicable Gazette guideline.
5. Prepare the Prescribed Gazette Proforma
The Gazette publication matter should be prepared in the prescribed format.
For the applicable Central adult procedure, witness details and signatures may also form part of the prescribed documentation.
6. Arrange Supporting Documents
Prepare the required ID proof, photographs, newspaper proof, declarations and any special-category documents.
7. Pay the Applicable Government Publication Fee
The applicant should verify the latest publication fee and payment method from the current official Department guidelines.
Old fee amounts appearing on private websites should not automatically be treated as current Government charges.
8. Submit the Gazette File
The complete application should be submitted to the appropriate Gazette authority in the manner permitted under the applicable procedure.
For Central Gazette publication, the relevant authority is:
Controller of Publications
Department of Publication
Civil Lines, Delhi – 110054
9. Search and Download the Published Gazette
After publication, the applicant can search the applicable Gazette record and download the relevant Gazette PDF.
10. Update Other Documents
After Gazette publication, the applicant normally needs to approach the respective authorities separately for updating documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, voter records or educational records.
Documents Required for Gazette Name Change in Bihar
| Document | Purpose / Requirement |
|---|---|
| Signed Undertaking / Declaration | Declares the old and new name and relevant particulars |
| Newspaper Publication | Proof of public notice where required |
| Prescribed Gazette Proforma | Matter to be published in the Gazette |
| Witness Details | Required where prescribed |
| Passport-Size Photographs | Applicant identification |
| Identity Proof | Confirms applicant's identity |
| Address Proof | May be required depending on the procedure |
| Soft Copy of Gazette Matter | Required where prescribed |
| Hard/Soft Copy Matching Declaration | Confirms both versions contain the same matter where required |
| Request Letter | Formal publication request |
| Fee Payment Proof | Evidence of applicable Government publication payment |
| Marriage Certificate | May be relevant for marriage-related change |
| Divorce Decree / Order | May be relevant for divorce-related change |
| Adoption Documents | Relevant for adoption-related cases |
| Minor's Birth / Identity Record | Relevant for minor cases |
| Parent / Guardian Documents | Relevant for minor or adoption cases |
| Other Case-Specific Documents | Depends on the applicant's circumstances |
Common Reasons for Name Change in Bihar
People in Bihar may seek a legal name change for many legitimate reasons.
Personal Choice or Not Liking the Existing Name
A person may change their name simply because they do not like their existing name, are uncomfortable with it or prefer to be known by another name.
Marriage, divorce or another major event is not always necessary for a person to decide to adopt a different name.
However, the proposed change should be for a lawful purpose and should not be intended for fraud, impersonation, concealment or another unlawful purpose.
Marriage
A person may choose to add, remove or adopt a surname after marriage.
The exact documentary requirement depends on the document or authority where the new name has to be updated.
Divorce
Following divorce, a person may return to a maiden or previous surname or formally adopt another name.
Religious Conversion
A person may also choose to change their name after religious conversion or a change in religion.
For example, an individual may decide to adopt a name associated with the faith they now follow.
The change of religion and change of name are separate legal/documentary matters. Changing religion does not automatically update the person's name in official records. If the individual wants the new name to appear in official documents, the applicable name-change procedure must also be followed.
Addition or Removal of Surname
An applicant may want to add a family surname, remove an existing surname or adopt another surname.
Professional or Socially Used Name
A person who has been using another name professionally or socially may wish to formally adopt that name for official use.
Name Change After Adoption
A child's name or surname may be changed following a lawful adoption.
Such cases may require additional adoption-related documents and should follow the applicable special Gazette procedure.
Parent's Second Marriage
Following the remarriage of a parent, a child's surname or name may sometimes be proposed for change.
However, remarriage alone does not automatically make the step-parent an adoptive parent.
Numerology or Astrology
Some applicants change their name or alter its spelling based on numerological, astrological or personal-belief reasons.
Major Difference Between Documents
Where different official records contain substantially different names, a formal name-change procedure may sometimes be required.
However, a simple spelling or clerical mistake should first be examined as a correction matter rather than automatically treating it as a complete legal name change.
Name Change Due to Parent's Second Marriage in Bihar
A child's name-change case following the second marriage of a parent requires more care than an ordinary adult name-change case.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant records may include:
- Child's existing birth or identity record
- Parent or guardian identity documents
- Divorce-related record where applicable
- Second-marriage documents where relevant
- Other documents required by the concerned authority
A step-parent should not be described as an adoptive parent merely because the biological parent has remarried.
If a lawful adoption has actually taken place, the case should be treated according to the applicable adoption-related procedure.
Name Change Due to Adoption in Bihar
A child's name may be changed after lawful adoption.
Adoption-related Gazette publication requires additional care because the identity of the child, natural guardian and adopting parent or guardian may be relevant to the publication process.
The Government of India's Department of Publication provides separate guidance for certain adoption-related Gazette publications.
Documents Required for Adoption-Related Gazette Publication
| Document | Adoption Case Requirement |
|---|---|
| Adoption-Related Legal Document | Establishes the adoption where applicable |
| Child's Existing Birth / Identity Record | Establishes existing identity |
| Guardian Undertaking | Required under the applicable procedure |
| Natural Guardian Details | Relevant where required |
| Adopting Parent / Guardian Details | Establishes adopting party's identity |
| Newspaper Publication | Required where prescribed |
| Gazette Proforma | Contains the publication matter |
| Photographs | Required where prescribed |
| Identity Proof | Identity verification |
| Witness Details / Signatures | Required where applicable |
| Soft Copy of Matter | Required where prescribed |
| Request Letter | Formal publication request |
| Fee Payment Proof | Evidence of applicable publication fee |
| Other Supporting Documents | Depends on the particular adoption case |
What Other Websites Often Get Wrong About Name Change in Bihar
One of the biggest problems with online Bihar name-change information is that many websites mix together three different things:
Bihar e-Gazette, Gazette of India publication and correction of an existing document.
These are not automatically the same process.
Some websites assume that because Bihar has an e-Gazette portal, every personal name-change application can automatically be submitted through that portal. The Bihar e-Gazette portal does provide official Bihar Gazette publications, but applicants should separately verify the procedure applicable to an individual name-change publication.
Another common mistake is claiming that Gazette publication automatically changes every Government document. It does not. The applicant normally has to approach each concerned authority separately.
Some websites also show old Government fee amounts without checking whether the rate or payment instructions have changed.
Another common error is treating every spelling discrepancy as a legal name change. A clerical error may instead require correction through the authority maintaining the original record.
Areas in Bihar We Serve
Name-change assistance can be provided to applicants from major cities and districts of Bihar, including:
Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Purnia, Bihar Sharif, Arrah, Begusarai, Katihar, Munger, Chhapra, Hajipur, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Motihari, Bettiah, Sasaram, Buxar, Siwan, Madhubani, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Kishanganj, Jamui, Nawada, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Banka, Khagaria, Gopalganj, Kaimur and other parts of Bihar.
Where the applicable Central procedure permits postal or courier submission, Bihar applicants may not necessarily need to visit Delhi personally merely to lodge the Gazette application.
Important Points Before Applying
Before beginning the Gazette process, make sure that the exact old name and proposed new name have been finalised.
The same spelling should be maintained throughout the newspaper notice, undertaking, Gazette proforma and other documents.
Applicants should also identify whether the case involves:
- Normal adult name change
- Personal-choice name change
- Religious-conversion-related name change
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Minor
- Adoption
- Parent's second marriage
- Surname change
- Document correction
The correct procedure and supporting documents should then be selected according to the actual circumstances.
Conclusion
Gazette name change in Bihar may be required for many reasons, including marriage, divorce, adoption, parent's remarriage, surname change, religious conversion or simply personal choice when a person does not like or no longer wishes to use their existing name.
Bihar has its own official State Gazette system and Secretariat Printing Press in Patna, while the Government of India's Department of Publication provides a clearly documented procedure for individual name-change publication in Gazette of India Part IV.
Before applying, the person should first determine whether the matter is a genuine legal name change or merely a correction in an existing record. The correct category and supporting documents should then be selected.
Gazette publication should also be treated as one part of the overall name-change process. Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, educational certificates, birth records and other documents normally need to be updated separately according to the requirements of the respective authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I change my name in Bihar simply because I do not like my current name?
Yes. A person may choose another name because they do not like, are uncomfortable with or simply prefer not to use their existing name. The change should, however, be for a lawful purpose.
2. Can I change my name after religious conversion in Bihar?
Yes. A person may choose to adopt another name after religious conversion. However, conversion and legal name change are separate matters. The appropriate name-change procedure must be completed if the new name is to be reflected in official records.
3. Does Bihar have its own official Gazette?
Yes. Bihar has an official State Gazette system associated with the Bihar Secretariat Printing Press, Gulzarbagh, Patna.
4. Is the Bihar Gazette the same as the Gazette of India?
No. The Bihar Gazette is issued by the State Government, while the Gazette of India is a Government of India publication.
5. Can a Bihar resident apply for Gazette of India name-change publication?
Yes. A Bihar resident may use the applicable Gazette of India name-change procedure provided by the Department of Publication.
6. Is the Central Gazette stronger than the Bihar State Gazette?
It is more accurate to say that the Central Gazette provides a clearly documented individual name-change procedure and is a Government of India publication. The appropriate Gazette ultimately depends on the applicant's purpose and the requirements of the authority where the new name will be used.
7. Do I have to travel from Bihar to Delhi for a Central Gazette application?
Not necessarily. Where the applicable procedure permits submission through post or courier, a personal visit may not be required.
8. Can the entire name-change process be completed online?
Not necessarily. Some stages may be electronic, but the applicable Gazette procedure can still require physical documents.
9. Does Gazette publication automatically update Aadhaar, PAN or passport?
No. Gazette publication does not automatically update these records. Separate applications may be required before the respective authorities.
10. Is the process different for an adopted child?
Yes. Adoption-related name-change cases can require additional documents and a special publication procedure.
11. Can a child's name be changed after a parent's second marriage?
It may be possible depending on the circumstances, but remarriage itself does not automatically make the step-parent an adoptive parent.
12. Is newspaper publication required for a Gazette name change?
Where the applicable Gazette guideline requires newspaper publication, the prescribed newspaper notice forms part of the application process. Applicants should check the current category-specific Government guideline before filing.