Gazette Name Change in Assam: Process, Documents

Introduction

A legal name change in Assam is not simply about preparing an affidavit or starting to use another name. The purpose is to create a clear documentary connection between the name already appearing in official records and the name the applicant wants to use in future.

Assam has its own official State Gazette known as The Assam Gazette. The Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Government of Assam provides a specific name change and name correction procedure for publication in this Gazette.

The available Government procedure broadly follows three stages: preparation of an affidavit, publication of a newspaper advertisement and submission of the prescribed documents for notification in The Assam Gazette.

Assam Gazette Name Change at a Glance

What Is The Assam Gazette?

The Assam Gazette is an official publication of the Government of Assam. It is published through the Directorate of Printing & Stationery.

The Gazette contains Government notifications, appointments, official orders, rules, statutory information and different categories of notices.

It is therefore much more than a name-change publication. It functions as an official record through which Government and other authorised notices are made public.

For an individual name-change matter, the Gazette can provide an official published link between the person's former name and the newly adopted or corrected name.

What Is the Assam Gazette Used For?

The Assam Gazette is used for publication of official Government and public information. Different parts of the Gazette may contain different kinds of notices and administrative material.

Government appointments, transfers, notifications, rules, orders, departmental notices and other matters can be published through the Gazette system.

For an individual who has changed a name, Gazette publication is useful because it places the change on an official public record.

How Can Gazette Publication Help in a Name Change?

Suppose a person has been known as Rahul Kumar Das and now formally wants to use Rahul Kumar Sharma.

His existing Aadhaar, PAN, educational records or other documents may continue to show Rahul Kumar Das.

Simply starting to write Rahul Kumar Sharma on new forms does not automatically create a documentary connection between those identities.

An affidavit, newspaper publication and Gazette notification can create a clearer record showing that Rahul Kumar Das has adopted Rahul Kumar Sharma.

What Can an Assam Gazette Name Change Be Useful For?

A Gazette notification can be useful when the applicant later approaches other authorities to update the changed name.

Depending on the rules of the concerned authority, Gazette publication may form part of the supporting documentation for:

• Aadhaar name update
• PAN correction or change
• Passport reissue
• Bank and KYC update
• Voter record update
• Driving Licence update
• Employment records
• Insurance records
• Educational records
• Investment and financial records

However, Gazette publication does not automatically modify any of these records.

What Gazette Publication Does Not Do

The Gazette creates an official publication of the name change. It does not operate the databases maintained by UIDAI, Income Tax, Passport Seva or the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

• It does not automatically change Aadhaar.
• It does not automatically change PAN.
• It does not automatically reissue a passport.
• It does not automatically correct a Birth Certificate.
• It does not automatically change educational records.
• It does not automatically update bank KYC.

Separate applications must be made before the concerned authorities.

Name Change and Name Correction Are Not the Same

Before starting the Gazette process, the applicant should identify whether the issue is a real name change or a correction in one document.

A name change generally means that the person has deliberately decided to use another name.

A name correction generally means that an existing document contains an incorrect spelling or entry while the correct name is already established elsewhere.

Example of a Name Correction

Suppose the applicant has:

• Birth Certificate: Ankit Sharma
• Aadhaar: Ankit Sharma
• PAN: Ankit Sharma
• School Certificate: Ankit Sarma

The first issue is whether the school certificate itself should be corrected.

Starting a full legal name-change process for every typographical error can unnecessarily create another identity trail.

Example of a Formal Name Change

Suppose all existing documents show Ankit Sharma, but the applicant deliberately wants to adopt Arjun Sharma.

This is a genuine transition from an established old name to a newly adopted name.

Common Reasons for Name Change in Assam

• Complete first-name change
• Complete full-name change
• Addition of surname
• Removal of surname
• Replacement of surname
• Name change after marriage
• Return to maiden surname after divorce
• Minor child's name change
• Adoption-related name change
• Expansion or removal of initials
• Personal or professional preference
• Religious or cultural reasons
• Different spellings appearing across official records

The proposed new name should be finalised before preparing the affidavit or newspaper publication.

Who Handles Gazette Name Change in Assam?

The State Gazette authority is the Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Government of Assam.

The available official name-change procedure directs the applicant to the Directorate at Bamunimaidan, Guwahati for the final Gazette stage.

The application for name change or correction is addressed to the Publisher, Assam Gazette.

Where Is the Assam Gazette Office?

The relevant Government office is:

Directorate of Printing & Stationery
Government of Assam
Bamunimaidan
Guwahati-21
Assam

This Directorate is responsible for publication of The Assam Gazette.

Assam Gazette Office Contact Details

Applicants travelling from another district should verify the latest office information before making an important visit.

Official Government Website for Assam Gazette

For official information about The Assam Gazette, name change or correction procedure, Gazette publications and Directorate-related updates, applicants should refer to the Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Government of Assam.

Official Government Website:
https://dpns.assam.gov.in/

This should be treated as the primary Government source for Assam Gazette information. Current fees, submission requirements and procedural changes should be checked from the Directorate before filing.

How the Assam Gazette Name Change Process Works

Assam has a specific Government procedure for name change and correction.

The process is divided into three main stages: affidavit, newspaper advertisement and Gazette notification.

Step 1: Prepare the Name Change Affidavit

The first stage is to prepare an affidavit through a Notary or Magistrate.

The official procedure states that the affidavit should mention the applicant's current name, address and proposed new name.

For example:

• Current Name: Priyanka Das
• Proposed New Name: Priyanka Sharma

The same spelling should then be maintained throughout the newspaper and Gazette documents.

What Should the Affidavit Contain?

The core official details are the applicant's current name, address and proposed new name.

Depending on the affidavit format and actual circumstances, additional identifying particulars may also appear.

• Existing name
• Proposed new name
• Residential address
• Applicant's personal particulars
• Parent or spouse details where relevant
• Declaration concerning the name change
• Reason where included in the applicable format

The affidavit should reflect the real facts of the applicant's case.

Is ₹20, ₹50 or ₹100 Stamp Paper Fixed?

Different private guides sometimes quote different stamp-paper denominations.

The Assam Government name-change procedure itself focuses on preparation of the affidavit through a Notary or Magistrate and does not prescribe one universal stamp-paper denomination in the quoted instructions.

The applicable requirement should therefore be confirmed at the time the affidavit is prepared.

Check the Affidavit Before Signing

An affidavit error can continue into every later stage.

The applicant should check the old name, new name, address and identifying details carefully.

For example, if the existing name is Debajit Das but the affidavit incorrectly says Debojit Das, the newspaper notice may repeat the same mistake.

It is easier to correct the first document than several later documents.

Step 2: Newspaper Advertisement

After the affidavit is prepared, the applicant has to publish an advertisement regarding the name change or correction.

The available Assam Government procedure states that the advertisement should be published in any national or regional daily newspaper.

The original newspaper later becomes an important document in the Gazette application.

What Should the Newspaper Advertisement Contain?

The newspaper notice should clearly establish the transition from the old name to the proposed new name.

• Existing or old name
• Proposed new name
• Residential address where applicable
• Parent or spouse details where relevant
• Affidavit reference where included in the publication format

The spelling should exactly match the affidavit.

Which Newspapers Are Commonly Used in Assam?

Assam has regional-language and English daily newspapers that are commonly used for different kinds of public notices.

Assamese-language examples commonly discussed include Asomiya Pratidin, Dainik Asam, Amar Asom and Dainik Agradoot.

English-language examples include The Assam Tribune and The Sentinel.

In Barak Valley areas such as Cachar, Silchar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, Bengali-language publications may also be considered because of local circulation.

These are practical examples, not a rule that one particular newspaper is compulsory.

Are Two Newspapers Compulsory?

Some private service providers recommend publishing in one English newspaper and one Assamese or regional newspaper.

The available official Assam procedure itself states publication in a national or regional daily newspaper.

It does not state in the quoted procedure that exactly two newspapers are compulsory for every State Gazette applicant.

Why Should the Original Newspaper Be Preserved?

The Government checklist specifically requires the original newspaper containing the name-change or correction advertisement.

The applicant should therefore preserve it carefully.

Keeping the complete relevant page with the publication name and date visible can make later verification easier.

A mobile screenshot should not automatically be treated as a replacement for the original newspaper.

Step 3: Apply for Notification in The Assam Gazette

After completing the affidavit and newspaper stage, the applicant proceeds to Gazette publication.

The official procedure directs the applicant to the Directorate of Printing & Stationery at Bamunimaidan, Guwahati.

The prescribed application and supporting documents are then submitted for verification.

To Whom Should the Application Be Addressed?

The application is addressed as follows:

To,
The Publisher
Assam Gazette
Bamunimaidan, Guwahati-21
Assam

The applicant should use exactly the same old and new names appearing in the other documents.

Application Format for Assam Gazette Name Change

The following practical format can be used as a drafting reference. The applicant should ensure that the final application reflects the real case.

To,
The Publisher
Assam Gazette
Bamunimaidan, Guwahati-21
Assam

Subject: Application for Publication of Name Change / Name Correction in The Assam Gazette

Sir/Madam,

I respectfully request publication of my name change / name correction in The Assam Gazette. My existing name is [Old Name], and I wish to be known as [New Name].

I have completed the required affidavit and newspaper publication. I am submitting the prescribed Public Notice Form and supporting documents for verification and Gazette publication.

My details are given below:

• Existing / Old Name: [Old Name]
• Proposed / Correct Name: [New Name]
• Father's / Mother's / Spouse's Name: [Where applicable]
• Residential Address: [Complete Address]
• Mobile Number: [Mobile Number]
• Email: [If applicable]

I request you to kindly process my application and publish the name change / correction notice in The Assam Gazette after verification of the enclosed documents.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
[Applicant's Name]
Signature: ____________
Date: ____________
Place: ____________

Documents Required for Assam Gazette Name Change

The Government procedure provides a clear core checklist.

• Application for name change or correction addressed to the Publisher, Assam Gazette
• Duly filled Public Notice Form
• Original newspaper containing the advertisement
• Two passport-size photographs
• Copy of the affidavit
• Relevant ID proof
• ID proof showing the correct and incorrect name where applicable
• Original documents along with required hard copies for verification

The documents should clearly establish the applicant's identity and the requested name transition.

What Is the Public Notice Form?

The Public Notice Form is a State-specific document in the Assam Gazette process.

It should be completed after the applicant has finalised the old and new names.

The form should be compared with the affidavit, newspaper notice and identity records before submission.

Even a small spelling difference can create a discrepancy.

What Does Correct and Incorrect ID Proof Mean?

The available Assam procedure refers to proof containing the correct and incorrect versions of the name in a correction case.

For example:

• Incorrect Name: Dipak Sarma
• Correct Name: Deepak Sharma

The documents should help establish that both records relate to the same person.

No document should be altered merely to create an incorrect/correct pair.

Do Original Documents Need to Be Carried?

The official procedure states that original documents should be brought along with hard copies.

This allows the Directorate to verify the supporting material.

Applicants travelling from another district should therefore prepare the originals and copies together before leaving.

Assam Gazette Government Fee

The available Government procedure states a Gazette publication user fee of ₹240.

The same procedure states that payment can be made through e-GRAS / online mode.

The ₹240 amount should be treated as the figure stated in the available procedure, not as an amount that can never change.

The current amount should be verified before payment.

What Is e-GRAS?

e-GRAS is the Government Receipt Accounting System used for Government payments and receipts.

The applicant should use the current payment particulars applicable to the Directorate of Printing & Stationery and Gazette service.

After payment, the Government receipt or challan should be preserved.

Old screenshots should not be followed blindly because portal menus can change.

What Happens After Submission?

Submission does not mean immediate publication.

The Directorate verifies the application and supporting documents.

The affidavit, newspaper notice, Public Notice Form and identity records should all show the same name transition.

After successful verification, the Directorate publishes the name-change or correction notice in The Assam Gazette.

Example of a Document Mismatch

Suppose:

• Affidavit: Dipak Sarma → Deepak Sharma
• Newspaper: Dipak Sarma → Deepak Sarma
• Public Notice Form: Dipak Sharma → Deepak Sharma

The application now contains multiple versions.

The discrepancy should be resolved before Gazette publication.

How Often Is The Assam Gazette Published?

The regular Assam Gazette is published weekly, generally every Wednesday.

This publication schedule does not mean that every name-change application will automatically appear in the next weekly issue.

Verification and administrative processing must first be completed.

What Is an Extraordinary Gazette?

Extraordinary Gazette publications may be issued for special or urgent Government matters.

This should not be confused with the routine individual name-change process.

The applicable Gazette classification depends on the matter being published.

How Long Does Assam Gazette Name Change Take?

The available official procedure does not provide one guaranteed processing period for every applicant.

The time can depend on document completeness, verification, clarification requirements and publication scheduling.

Private websites sometimes quote several weeks as an estimate.

Such estimates should not be described as guaranteed Government timelines.

Can the File Be Sent by Post?

The official Assam procedure refers to the applicant visiting the Directorate for the final stage.

Some private service providers may offer postal or remote handling arrangements.

An applicant should not assume that sending original documents by ordinary post is automatically accepted.

Anyone unable to visit should confirm the current submission method with the Directorate before dispatching important records.

Applicants From Outside Guwahati

The Assam Gazette is a State-level publication, so applicants may come from districts throughout Assam.

This can include Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Silchar, Nagaon, Tinsukia, Tezpur, Sivasagar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, Barpeta, Nalbari, Golaghat, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Dhemaji, Hojai and other areas.

The main Gazette authority remains at Bamunimaidan, Guwahati.

Applicants travelling from another district should review the file carefully so that a missing original or spelling mistake does not result in another visit.

Assam State Gazette vs Gazette of India

Which Gazette Should an Assam Applicant Use?

The route should depend on the nature of the case and what the receiving authority requires.

Assam already has its own official State process for name change and correction.

Where the Gazette of India route is appropriate, the Central Department of Publication requirements must be followed separately.

Applicants should not mix both document checklists into a single application.

Name Change After Marriage in Assam

Marriage does not automatically require a person to adopt another surname.

A person may retain the existing surname or choose a spouse's surname.

• Before Marriage: Riya Das
• After Marriage: Riya Sharma

Marriage-related records may be relevant depending on the change and the authority where it will be used.

A routine surname change should not automatically be treated as identical to a complete name change.

Name Change After Divorce

After divorce, a person may continue using the married surname or return to the previous surname.

• Married Name: Riya Sharma
• Maiden Name: Riya Das

The divorce decree and earlier records can help explain the transition where relevant.

Minor Child Name Change in Assam

A minor's name-change matter should not simply use an adult format.

The parent or lawful guardian normally handles the matter under the applicable procedure.

• Child's Birth Certificate
• Existing school or identity records
• Parent or guardian identity documents
• Address proof
• Documents showing the existing name
• Documents supporting the proposed new name

If the parents are separated, divorced or involved in a custody dispute, additional documentation may become relevant.

Adoption-Related Name Change

A child's name may change following a valid adoption.

The underlying adoption records and parent or guardian documents may be relevant.

Gazette publication itself does not create the adoption.

Name and Gender Change

Name-and-gender-related matters should not automatically be processed through an ordinary spelling-correction format.

The applicable declaration and supporting documents depend on the route and applicant category.

What If Aadhaar, PAN and Passport Already Have Different Names?

The applicant should review those differences before creating another new name.

For example:

• Aadhaar: Pranjal Kumar Das
• PAN: Pranjal Das
• Passport: Pranjal K. Das

The established identity should first be identified.

Otherwise, Gazette publication may create another version rather than solve the existing mismatch.

What to Do After Gazette Publication

Once the Gazette is published, the applicant should identify the important records still carrying the old name.

Those records require separate applications.

Updating Aadhaar

Aadhaar requires a separate name-update request under UIDAI's applicable rules.

Gazette publication may form part of the supporting evidence in an applicable formal name-change case.

The Gazette itself does not modify Aadhaar.

Updating PAN

PAN requires a separate correction or changes application.

The accepted supporting proof depends on the applicant's circumstances.

The final PAN spelling should ideally remain consistent with Aadhaar and other primary identity records.

Updating Passport

A passport name change is generally handled through a passport reissue application.

The document requirements depend on the type of change.

Marriage-related surname changes, divorce-related changes and complete name changes may have different requirements.

Updating Bank and KYC Records

Bank records do not automatically change after Gazette publication.

The applicant should approach the bank and follow its KYC or name-change procedure.

The bank may request the Gazette, updated Aadhaar, PAN or other records.

Educational Records in Assam

School, board, college and university records are controlled by the concerned educational authority.

Gazette publication may support a formal name-change request where accepted.

It does not automatically change a historical educational record.

Can Gazette Correct a Birth Certificate?

No. The Birth Certificate is based on a civil registration record maintained by the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

The Registrar's separate correction procedure must be followed.

Gazette publication may be supporting evidence where applicable, but it cannot directly amend the birth register.

Common Assam Gazette Application Problems

• Different spelling in affidavit and newspaper
• Old name inconsistent across records
• New name changed after preparing documents
• Incomplete Public Notice Form
• Original newspaper unavailable
• Original IDs not carried
• Incorrect or unclear old-name proof
• Wrong payment information
• Mixing Assam and Central Gazette requirements
• Using an adult format for a minor
• Assuming two newspapers are compulsory in every case
• Assuming Gazette automatically updates other documents

How to Review the File Before Visiting the Gazette Office

• Confirm the exact old name
• Confirm the exact proposed new name
• Review the affidavit
• Check the newspaper advertisement
• Keep the original newspaper
• Complete the Public Notice Form
• Prepare the application to the Publisher
• Keep two passport-size photographs
• Carry relevant ID proof
• Carry correct/incorrect name proof where applicable
• Carry original documents
• Prepare required hard copies
• Keep payment evidence

All documents should be checked together before submission.

Practical Example

Suppose Arup Das, a resident of Dibrugarh, wants to formally adopt Arup Kumar Das.

He first reviews his existing Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, PAN and educational records.

If those documents consistently show Arup Das, and he deliberately wants to add Kumar, the matter is a formal name change.

He prepares an affidavit stating Arup Das as the current name and Arup Kumar Das as the proposed name.

The newspaper advertisement uses exactly the same spellings.

The original newspaper is preserved.

Arup then prepares the application to the Publisher, Assam Gazette and completes the Public Notice Form.

He keeps the affidavit copy, two passport-size photographs, identity records, original documents and hard copies ready.

After completing the applicable payment and submitting the file, the documents are verified.

After Gazette publication, Arup checks the published entry before approaching Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank and other authorities.

Conclusion

Gazette name change in Assam follows a clearly documented State process. The applicant prepares an affidavit, publishes the change or correction in a national or regional daily newspaper and submits the prescribed documents to the Directorate of Printing & Stationery at Bamunimaidan, Guwahati.

The old and new names should remain consistent throughout the process. Aadhaar, PAN, passport and other records must still be updated separately after Gazette publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is The Assam Gazette?

The Assam Gazette is an official Government of Assam publication containing Government notifications, orders, appointments, rules, notices and other official material.

2. Where is the Assam Gazette office for name change?

The relevant Directorate of Printing & Stationery office is located at Bamunimaidan, Guwahati-21, Assam.

3. What are the main steps for name change in Assam?

The available Government procedure broadly involves an affidavit through a Notary or Magistrate, publication in a national or regional daily newspaper and submission of the prescribed Gazette application documents.

4. What documents are required?

The official checklist includes the application to the Publisher, Public Notice Form, original newspaper, two passport-size photographs, affidavit copy and relevant ID proof. Originals and hard copies should also be carried for verification.

5. Is newspaper publication required?

Yes. The available Assam Government procedure specifically requires publication of the name change or correction advertisement in a national or regional daily newspaper.

6. Are two newspapers compulsory?

The available State procedure does not state that exactly two newspapers are mandatory in every case. It refers to a national or regional daily newspaper.

7. What is the Assam Gazette name-change fee?

The available Government procedure states a user fee of ₹240. Applicants should verify the current amount before payment.

8. How is the Government fee paid?

The available procedure states that payment can be made through e-GRAS or the prescribed online mode.

9. Is The Assam Gazette published every Wednesday?

The regular Assam Gazette is published weekly, generally on Wednesday. This does not guarantee that every individual name-change application will appear immediately in the next issue.

10. Is Assam State Gazette the same as Central Gazette?

No. The Assam Gazette is a Government of Assam publication, while the Gazette of India is a separate Central Government publication with its own procedure.

11. Does Gazette automatically update Aadhaar, PAN or passport?

No. These records require separate update or reissue applications under the rules of the respective authorities.

12. Can Assam Gazette automatically correct a Birth Certificate?

No. Birth Certificate correction must be processed separately through the concerned Registrar of Births and Deaths. Gazette publication may only act as supporting evidence where relevant.