A clear, step-by-step guide to legally changing your name in Maharashtra, home to one of India's smoothest online gazette systems. Affidavit, newspaper notice, the DGPS state gazette and Central Gazette routes, real fees, documents and timeline, done from home in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur or Nashik.
A quick walkthrough of the affidavit, the gazette office and the state and central routes for a Maharashtra name change.
In this video, the YourDoorstep team explains the name change procedure in Maharashtra: the DGPS online gazette, the two routes, the real fees, and how we handle the whole process at your doorstep.
Changing your name is a big step. Maybe you just got married, you are fixing a spelling mistake in your school certificate, or you want a fresh start after a divorce. Whatever the reason, the name change procedure in Maharashtra follows a clear legal path, and Maharashtra has one of the smoothest online gazette systems in the country. This guide breaks down every step in plain words, and shows how to get it done from home, whether you live in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik or Thane.
To change your name in Maharashtra, follow three steps. Make a notarised affidavit, publish the change in two newspapers (one Marathi or Hindi, one English), then file for a gazette notification. Maharashtra has a strong online State Gazette (DGPS portal) that often publishes in 10 to 15 days, while the Central Gazette (Rs 1,100 adult, Rs 1,700 minor) is valid across India. You can do all of it from home.
Definition: A gazette notification is an official notice published in the Government Gazette that turns your name change into a public, legally recognised record, accepted by the passport office, banks, UIDAI and government departments across India.
This is the choice that matters most, and Maharashtra is well set up for it. The State Gazette is run by the Directorate of Government Printing and Stationery, applied for online through the DGPS portal, and often published within about two weeks. The Central Gazette is run by the Government of India in Delhi and is the standard for passports and work abroad.
| Point | Maharashtra State Gazette (DGPS) | Central Gazette of India |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Directorate of Government Printing & Stationery | Department of Publication, Government of India, Delhi |
| How you apply | Online at dgps.maharashtra.gov.in, or in person in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | File sent to Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, by post or courier, or submitted in person |
| Government fee | Modest, with normal and urgent (tatkal) options | Rs 1,100 adult, Rs 1,700 minor, Rs 250 per extra alias (BharatKosh) |
| Speed | Often 10 to 15 days | About 30 to 45 days |
| Valid for | Most records across India | Passport, Aadhaar, PAN, banks, PSU jobs, abroad |
| Best for | A fast, cheaper record within India | Passport and anything abroad |
The Maharashtra State Gazette is applied for online through dgps.maharashtra.gov.in, run by the Directorate of Government Printing and Stationery, with in-person offices in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). The Central Gazette file goes to the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, and the published notice is downloaded from egazette.gov.in.
Yes. A legal name change in India runs on paperwork, not office visits. The Maharashtra DGPS gazette is mostly online, so you apply, pay and download from home.
For the Central Gazette route, the file must reach the Department of Publication in Delhi, which is far from Maharashtra, so travelling makes no sense. Our own office is in Delhi. You share your details from your home in Maharashtra, we prepare the affidavit, book the newspaper ads, pay the government fee, and help you file your gazette. Once it is published, we send you the gazette PDF.
Every legal name change follows the same three steps, in this order.
A short legal statement on stamp paper with your old name, new name, address, age and the reason, signed before a notary.
Announce the change in two papers, one regional (Marathi or Hindi) and one English. Keep the full original pages as proof.
Apply online on the DGPS portal and download by ARN, or send the Central file to Delhi for Part IV of the Gazette of India.
An affidavit is a short legal statement on non-judicial stamp paper. It lists your old name, new name, address, age and the reason for the change. You sign it in front of a notary. In Maharashtra the stamp paper value for this is usually around Rs 100.
You announce the name change in two newspapers, one regional and one English. For the regional paper you can use Lokmat, Loksatta or Maharashtra Times (Marathi), or Navbharat Times (Hindi). For English you can use The Times of India, Hindustan Times or The Indian Express. The notice should carry your old name, new name, address and the affidavit date. Keep the full newspaper pages, not just the cut-out advert.
For the Maharashtra State Gazette, you apply on dgps.maharashtra.gov.in, upload the affidavit, newspaper clippings, ID and address proof and photo, pay online, and download the e-Gazette PDF from your dashboard using the ARN once approved. For the Central Gazette, the file goes to the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054, with a typed proforma, two witnesses, a soft copy on CD, and the BharatKosh fee receipt. It is printed in Part IV of the Gazette of India, published every Saturday, and downloaded free from egazette.gov.in.
We read the pages ranking for this topic, and the same errors travel from site to site. Here is what they say, against the verified position, so your file is not built on a myth.
| What many websites say | The verified fact |
|---|---|
| "Submit your papers to the Maharashtra Government's Department of Publication" | No such department exists. The state route runs through the Directorate of Government Printing and Stationery (DGPS), Maharashtra, and the Central route through the Department of Publication in Delhi. Mixing the two names up sends files to the wrong office. |
| "Maharashtra residents must use the Central Gazette, there is no state option" | Maharashtra runs one of India's most usable state routes: the Maharashtra Government Gazette through DGPS, with online application at dgps.maharashtra.gov.in. Many ranking guides skip it entirely. |
| "Send your Central Gazette file to Civil Lines, Maharashtra-110054" | No such office exists. 110054 is a Delhi PIN code. The only Central Gazette office is the Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054. |
| "Attach a demand draft of Rs 1,100 with the file" | Still printed on ranking pages, and still wrong. The Department stopped demand drafts and cash long ago. Payment is online through BharatKosh (NTRP) only, and the fee is non-refundable. |
| "Your printed gazette copy will arrive by post" | Printed copies stopped from 1 October 2015. You download the PDF yourself from egazette.gov.in (Part IV, published every Saturday), and it needs no certification or stamp. |
| "The fee is just Rs 1,100, nothing more" | Rs 1,100 is the adult fee for the Central route. A minor's case costs Rs 1,700, each extra alias name adds Rs 250, and applicants living abroad pay Rs 3,500. |
| "Any old affidavit and newspaper ad will work" | The Department of Publication does not accept documents older than one year, and documents once submitted are not returned. |
| "Fix your birth certificate spelling through the gazette" | A birth certificate correction is a Registrar matter under Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, through your municipal corporation (like the BMC in Mumbai), not the gazette. |
Keep these ready. Missing or mismatched papers are the top reason files get held up.
| Document | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarised name change affidavit (original) | Yes | Base document for either route; not older than one year |
| Old name ID proof | Yes | Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID or passport |
| Address proof (Maharashtra) | Yes | Shows your Maharashtra address |
| Passport-size photograph | Yes | Self-attested |
| Full copies of both newspaper ads | Yes | Complete original pages, not older than one year |
| Filled DGPS gazette application form | Yes (State) | Downloaded from the DGPS portal |
| Typed proforma + CD + BharatKosh receipt | Yes (Central) | Only for the Central Gazette route |
| Marriage certificate | If applicable | For a surname change after marriage |
| Divorce papers | If applicable | For restoring your maiden name |
| Birth certificate + school NOC | If applicable | For a minor's name change |
| Deed as per rules | If applicable | For government employees |
If you are from Maharashtra but living abroad, your deed must be attested by the Indian Embassy or High Commission of that country. Also note that documents once submitted to the Department of Publication are not returned, so keep clear copies of everything with you.
Two costs sit inside a name change: the government publication fee, and the side costs like stamp paper, notary and newspaper ads that vary.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra State Gazette (DGPS) | Modest, with normal and urgent (tatkal) options (confirm on dgps.maharashtra.gov.in) |
| Central Gazette fee (adult) | Rs 1,100 (BharatKosh) |
| Central Gazette fee (minor) | Rs 1,700 (BharatKosh) |
| Extra alias name in the notice | Rs 250 per alias, added to the gazette fee |
| Central Gazette fee (living abroad) | Rs 3,500 as per the Department of Publication guidelines (BharatKosh) |
| Stamp paper and notary | About Rs 100 to Rs 300 |
| Newspaper ads (two papers) | Varies by paper and city |
Publishing the notice is a real step, not a formality. Use one regional paper and one English paper that circulate in your area. Across Maharashtra, Lokmat and Loksatta have strong Marathi reach, while The Times of India is a common English choice.
Keep the complete original pages with the date and newspaper name clearly visible. A cutting where the date cannot be read is treated as invalid. Remember the one-year rule too: an old ad from years back cannot be reused for a fresh gazette file.
A gazette on its own is only useful once your other records match it. We help you update your new name across all the documents that matter for Maharashtra residents.
Name change or spelling correction with the gazette as proof.
Name update through the NSDL or UTIITSL route.
Name correction on the electoral roll via Form 8.
Re-issue with your new name using the gazette and ads.
Name update at the RTO with the gazette copy.
Update your name across bank accounts and KYC records.
Records for the Maharashtra State Board, CBSE and universities.
Correction through the local Registrar under the RBD Act, not the gazette.
Name change on policies and insurance records.
Updates on ration card and property documents.
Tell us which documents you need updated. Call 9540005026 and we guide you through each one after the gazette.
We handle name change work for people all across Maharashtra, from the big cities to smaller towns. Wherever you are, the process runs the same way, and you never have to travel to Delhi.
From Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur to Nashik, Thane, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Solapur, the legal steps are identical, because a name change runs on paperwork, not on which district of Maharashtra you live in. The same file works across the state, and birth certificate corrections stay with your municipal corporation, like the BMC in Mumbai.
Do not see your town? We still cover it. Call 9540005026 and we will confirm.
Once your name change is published, use the gazette PDF to update your other records. This is the final and often the slowest part, so start early.
| Document | How to update |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Update at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the gazette as proof |
| PAN | Apply for name correction through NSDL or UTIITSL |
| Passport | Apply for re-issue with the gazette and newspaper ads |
| Driving licence | Visit the RTO with the gazette copy |
| Bank accounts | Visit your branch with the gazette, affidavit and ID |
| Voter ID | Submit Form 8 for correction |
| State Board / university records | Contact your board or university with the gazette |
| Employer records | Inform HR with the gazette copy |
Keep several printouts of the gazette, because every office will want its own copy. We can also handle these updates for you.
Add your marriage certificate to the file. The affidavit states your maiden name and married name. The three steps stay the same.
You can return to your maiden name through the same process. Keep your divorce papers ready. No separate court order is needed just to restore a maiden name.
The parent or guardian signs the affidavit and applies with the child's birth certificate and school NOC. The Central Gazette fee for a minor is Rs 1,700.
A simple spelling case states the wrong and correct spelling in the affidavit. A birth certificate correction, though, goes through the local Registrar under the RBD Act, not the gazette.
For most name changes within India, the DGPS state gazette is quick and cheaper, often published in about two weeks. Move to the Central Gazette when your name has to work on a passport or abroad.
The single reason files fail is a spelling gap between the affidavit, the newspaper ad and the ID proof. The gazette prints exactly what you type, so pick one exact spelling and use it everywhere.
A spelling fix on a birth certificate is not a gazette job. It goes through the local Registrar under the RBD Act. For a CBSE school name change, you may also need a court order along with the gazette.
The DGPS state gazette often publishes in 10 to 15 days, and you apply, pay and download from home.
A Central Gazette notification is treated as final proof by UIDAI, the passport office, banks and universities across India.
The whole process runs on paperwork, so a resident of Nagpur or Kolhapur completes it without travelling to Delhi.
For pan-India validity, the Central Gazette needs two newspaper ads and about 30 to 45 days. It is not instant.
A wrong fee category or a spelling gap can mean a rejection, a fresh payment and a restart, because the gazette fee is non-refundable.
Fee payment and download are online, but the Central Gazette file still has to reach the Delhi office.
| Mistake | Why it hurts |
|---|---|
| Different spellings across affidavit, ad and ID | Top cause of rejection |
| Typing the new name wrong in the online form | The gazette prints exactly what you enter |
| Wrong stamp paper value | Can make the affidavit invalid |
| Not keeping the full original newspaper pages | You cannot prove the publication |
| Uploading blurry or oversized scans on the DGPS portal | Application gets rejected |
| Using documents more than one year old | The Department of Publication does not accept documents older than one year |
| Not counting the alias fee | Each extra alias name adds Rs 250, and a short payment stalls the file |
| Choosing the state gazette when the name is needed abroad | You may have to redo it through the Central Gazette |
| Wrong fee category or amount on the portal | Payment rejected or mismatched, and the fee is non-refundable |
We know when the fast DGPS state gazette is enough, and when the Central Gazette is worth it.
We handle both newspaper advertisements for you, in the right format.
Everything runs on call, WhatsApp and a short form. You stay home anywhere in Maharashtra.
The gazette plus updating Aadhaar, PAN, passport and the rest, with clear pricing and no hidden charges.
How fresh do my documents need to be? The Department of Publication does not accept documents older than one year, so complete the affidavit, newspaper ads and gazette filing without a long gap. Documents once submitted are not returned.
Is there a "Maharashtra Department of Publication"? No. That name mixes up two different offices. The state route runs through DGPS Maharashtra (dgps.maharashtra.gov.in), and the Central Gazette runs through the Department of Publication in Civil Lines, Delhi-110054 only.
Does Maharashtra have its own online gazette portal? Yes, the DGPS portal at dgps.maharashtra.gov.in, run by the Directorate of Government Printing and Stationery. It is one of the smoother state gazette systems in India.
How long does the Maharashtra gazette take? The DGPS state gazette often publishes in about 10 to 15 days. The Central Gazette takes about 30 to 45 days.
Where is the Maharashtra gazette office? The Directorate of Government Printing and Stationery, with in-person offices in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and the online portal dgps.maharashtra.gov.in.
How much does the Central Gazette cost? Rs 1,100 for adults, Rs 1,700 for minors, plus Rs 250 for each extra alias name, paid on BharatKosh (NTRP). The fee is non-refundable.
Is a birth certificate name change done through the gazette? No. A birth certificate correction goes through the local Registrar under the RBD Act, not the gazette.
We pick the right route, prepare the affidavit, book the Marathi/Hindi and English newspaper ads, handle the gazette fee, and file through the DGPS portal or help you with the Central Gazette, then guide you on updating Aadhaar, PAN and passport. Doorstep service, honest pricing.
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The portals, offices and rules on this page are checked against official Government sources, not copied from other blogs.
Government fees and timelines can be revised from time to time. Always confirm the current figures on the official portals above before you apply.
Changing your name in Maharashtra is smoother than in most states, because the DGPS state gazette is fully online and often published in about two weeks. For a name accepted everywhere, use the Central Gazette, which needs two newspaper ads and costs Rs 1,100 for adults, Rs 1,700 for minors, plus Rs 250 for each extra alias name. Either way, the three steps stay the same: affidavit, newspaper ad, gazette notification, and none of your papers should be older than one year when you file. Remember that a birth certificate fix is a Registrar job, not a gazette one. Whether you are in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur or Nashik, you can get your name changed from home, and we update your Aadhaar, PAN and passport once it is done.
Pick the fast online DGPS state gazette for records within India, or the pan-India Central Gazette for a passport and beyond. Or let our team pick the right route and file it for you, wherever you are in Maharashtra.
