Changing your name in Rajasthan is no longer as simple as it used to be. Earlier, people could easily change their name, surname, or middle name in government documents by submitting an affidavit.
But now, the Rajasthan government has introduced stricter rules to stop repeated and unnecessary name changes.
The Bhajan Lal government has made it mandatory to get a government gazette notification for most name changes in birth certificates and official records.
This new rule has already come into effect across Rajasthan, including districts like Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu.
Affidavit Alone Will No Longer Work
Earlier, many people used to change their names by simply creating an affidavit on stamp paper.
In some cases, people repeatedly changed their surname or middle name, creating confusion in government databases and identity verification systems.
Now, according to the new government order, any name correction or change in official records will only be accepted if it is published in the state government gazette.
This means changing your name will now take more time, require more documents, and also cost more money.
Government Says Rules Were Being Misused
Officials say the old system was being misused by many applicants. In districts like Sikar alone, nearly 150 applications for name and surname changes were reportedly being received every day.
According to officials from the Birth and Death Registration Department, the new rules are aimed at improving the reliability of government records and preventing unnecessary changes.
Now, if parents want to:
Change the original name in a child’s birth certificate
Add parents’ names as a middle name
Change the surname
they will have to complete the gazette notification process.
Some Relief for Parents
The government has also provided a small relaxation in certain cases.
If a child’s birth certificate only has the first name and the surname section is blank, parents can still add the surname through a simple affidavit. In such cases, a gazette notification will not be needed.
However, the surname must exactly match the parents’ official documents.
Name Change Process Now Longer and Costlier
The process of changing a name has now become much more complicated.
A person must first:
Get an affidavit prepared from a notary
Publish advertisements in newspapers about the name change
Prepare a complete file with documents such as:
Affidavit
Newspaper clippings
ID proof
Photographs
Application forms
Government fee receipts
After this, the file must be submitted to the Publications Department in New Delhi or through the e-Gazette portal.
The total cost can go up to around ₹1,100 for a name change and nearly ₹1,400 for corrections, depending on the case.
Once the documents are verified, the gazette notification is usually published within 30 to 45 days. Only after this process will the name change become legally valid in government records.
