Here is the complete procedure for name and gender change in India, along with the required documents, as per current legal and administrative standards (as of 2025):

🧾 OVERVIEW

You can apply for:

Name Change Only

Gender Change Only

Both Name & Gender Change Together

The process is broadly administrative and involves:

Affidavit

Newspaper Publication

Gazette Notification

Updating Documents (Aadhaar, Passport, PAN, Voter ID, etc.)

🔄 STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

✅ STEP 1: Make a Notarized Affidavit

Create an affidavit declaring your intent to change name/gender. It should include:

Old name and gender

New name and gender

Reason for change (e.g., personal choice, gender identity alignment, error correction, marriage/divorce, etc.)

Date of birth, current address

Format: Must be on stamp paper (₹10/₹20) and notarized by a Notary Public.

✅ STEP 2: Newspaper Publication

Publish your name and/or gender change in two newspapers:

One in local language (regional daily)

One in English national daily

Sample format: Formate may change as per requirenment.

“I, formerly known as [Old Name], son/daughter of [Parent’s Name], resident of [Address], have changed my name to [New Name] and gender to [New Gender], with effect from [Date]. I shall henceforth be known as [New Name].”

Keep original copies of both newspapers.

✅ STEP 3: Gazette Notification

Apply to get your change published in the Official Gazette of India (for central documents like passport, Aadhaar, etc.) or State Gazette (optional, but helpful for local records).

📍 For Central Gazette (Delhi Gazette Cell):

Apply offline or via post

Include:

Notarized affidavit

Newspaper clippings

Filled pro forma (in prescribed format)

Request letter (with purpose clearly stated)

CD/DVD or pen drive with a soft copy of the notification in MS Word

Passport-size photo

ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.)

Fee: ₹ (name change), ₹ (name + gender), it may differ.

Processing time: 30–60 days or it may change.

🔗 Visit the official site

✅ STEP 4: Update Your Identity Documents

After Gazette notification is published:

Apply to update your details in key documents:

Document Where to Apply What’s Required

Aadhaar Aadhaar Seva Kendra or UIDAI portal Gazette copy, new ID proof, biometrics
PAN Card NSDL/UTIITSL online Gazette + Aadhaar + passport photo
Passport Passport Seva Kendra Gazette, affidavit, old passport
Voter ID NVSP or Electoral Office Gazette, Form
Bank A/C Your Bank Branch Gazette copy, new Aadhaar/PAN

📑 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (Summary)

Document Purpose

Notarized Affidavit Legal declaration of change
Newspaper clippings Public announcement proof
Gazette Application Form As per format
Passport-sized photos Usually 2–4
ID proof (old + new) Aadhaar, PAN, etc.

Request Letter To Gazette Controller

Soft copy of notification
MS Word format on CD/pen drive

Fee payment
DD/Postal Order/UPI depending on Gazette office

⚖️ LEGAL BASIS

Name Change: Governed by administrative procedure

Gender Change: Based on:

NALSA v. Union of India (2014): Recognized right to self-identify as male/female/transgender.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: Allows legal gender change.

UIDAI Guidelines 2021: Gender change on Aadhaar permitted by self-declaration.

📌 TIPS

Make 5–10 copies of your Gazette notification—you’ll need them often.

Keep scanned copies handy for uploading on government sites.

If you’re applying as a trans person, surgery is not required for gender change—self-declaration is legally sufficient.

Keep all originals safe—you may need them again for visa/passport/NRI purposes.