How to Change Name in Marriage Certificate – Complete Legal Procedure

Introduction

Sometimes, after marriage, couples wish to update or correct names on their marriage certificate due to spelling errors, name changes, or official name changes after marriage.

Reasons for Name Change on Marriage Certificate

• Correction of spelling mistakes
• Change of surname after marriage (commonly by women)
• Change in name due to personal reasons or legal orders

Step-by-Step Procedure to Change Name in Marriage Certificate

1. Obtain Affidavit for Name Change:
   Draft an affidavit stating the old name and new name, signed and notarized.
2. Publish Name Change in Official Gazette (If Required):
   For official name changes, publish the change in the Government Gazette of India or respective state. This may be mandatory in some states.
3. Apply to the Marriage Registrar:
   Submit an application to the marriage registrar office where the marriage was registered. Attach:
   • Original marriage certificate
   • Affidavit for name change
   • Gazette notification (if applicable)
   • Identity proof
4. Verification and Approval:
   The registrar verifies documents and processes the request.
5. Receive Corrected Marriage Certificate:
   A new marriage certificate with the updated name is issued after approval.

Alternative: Online Process (Where Available)

Some states allow online application for corrections through their portals with scanned copies of documents and payment of nominal fees.

Important Tips

• Always keep original documents safe.
• Notify other government departments (passport office, bank, PAN) after name change.
• The name change procedure differs slightly by state; check local rules.

FAQs

Q1: How long does name correction take?
Usually 15-30 days, depending on registrar office workload.

Q2: Can we change name without affidavit?
No, affidavit is mandatory to legally document name change.

Q3: Is it mandatory to publish in the Gazette?
For minor spelling corrections, not always. For official name changes, yes.

Conclusion

Updating your name in the marriage certificate is a straightforward legal process that ensures consistency across all official documents.