In India Surname Change for Women after Marriage, that from ancient days according to our Indian different traditions and cultures the women after marriage in most of the cases are abandon her maiden surname and in place thereof she prefixes her husband’s surname or husband’s name signifying by leading a new life with her husband by representing a new identity in society. It is her own choice whether she wants to use her maiden surname or her husband’s surname or husband’s name. If she wants to continue by using of her maiden name, no need of do anything but if she wishes to adopt her husband’s surname or husband’s name as surname to prefix to her name, marriage certificate is mandatory as documentary evidence to apply.
In the following situations the Surnames for women may change from time to time:
Divorced-Woman after Re-marriage
If a woman got divorce from court and if she re-marry after got divorce decreed from court to lead her remaining life with new life partner. Mostly it may be self decision, encouraging or pressurizing from elders/well-wishers/close friends or love affair or by arranged marriage. In these type cases the woman may mostly adopt the surname of her new-husband or she may prefix or suffix her new-husband’s name by abandoning the use of her ex-husband’s surname or name. So in these type cases she must apply for Gazette Notification to change her surname. So legalizing her new surname by prefixing or suffixing to her name for safe and to avoid any further legal complications.
Required Documents for Surname Change:
- Divorce Decree/Court Order from court
- Marriage Certificate (after re-marriage)
- 10th Class Memo for Date of Birth Proof/Birth Certificate
- Other Educational Documents if any
- ID Proofs such as Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License
- Affidavit in Rs.20/- Non-judicial Stamp Paper duly Notarize it.
- Two Photos
Widow after Re-Marriage
In married couples if the husband of wife died now-a-days most of the cases the wife (widow) may marry again to lead her remaining life with a new life partner. Mostly it may be self decision, encouraging or pressurizing from elders/well-wishers/close friends or love affair or by arranged marriage. We can’t say, here the choosing life partner may be from her own caste or religion OR from inter-caste or with other religion. In these type of cases also the woman may adopt the surname of her new-husband or she may prefix or suffix of her new-husband’s name to her name by abandoning the deceased husband’s surname or name. So in these types of cases she must apply for Gazette Notification to legalize her proposed surname either by prefixing or suffixing to her name.
Required Documents
- Death Certificate of Husband
- Marriage Certificate ( after re-marriage)
- 10th class Memo for Date of Birth Proof/Birth Certificate
- Other Educational Documents if any
- ID Proofs such as PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhar Card, Driving License
- Affidavit in Rs.20/- Non-judicial Stamp Paper duly Notarize it.
- Two Photographs
Inter Religion Marriages
Woman may marry with other religion spouse. If her marriage solemnized with another religion husband, to fulfill religious customs in most of cases before her marriage either husband or wife may convert into wife’s/ husband’s religion in the presence of their respective religious priest and at the same time the priest may mostly and simultaneously change her/his name according to their respective religious customs and formalities. So in these type of cases she must legalize her proposed new name/surname by applying for Gazette Notification. In respect of Inter Religion Marriages both Change of Religion and Change of Name should apply simultaneously to publish in Gazette.
Documents Required
- Religion Conversion Certificate from concerned religious priest
- Marriage Certificate
- 10th Class Memo for Date of Birth Proof/Birth Certificate
- Other Educational Documents if any
- ID Proofs such as PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhar Card, Driving License
- Affidavit in Rs.20/- Non-judicial Stamp Paper duly Notarize it.
- Four Photographs
Note: As stated in the above mentioned reasons, you must legalize by applying for Gazette Notification and if you do not legalize your proposed surname or new name, you must understand that you can face legal as well as social obligations of living with a new surname or name, unless the changed surname or name must be legally represented.
⇒ Changing of your Name or Surname after marriage is not Mandatory.
After getting Gazette Publication Copy you may approach to the authorities concerned to change your surname or name in ID Proofs such as Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Ration Card, Bank Accounts etc., by giving a copy of Gazette to the authorities concerned, but changing of name in educational certificates is not mandatory and simply enclose a copy of gazette wherever necessary for further studies or further job or for any purpose.
Gazette Notification is a Legal Document, but not Certification. For Process aand Procedure for Gazette Publication click here : CHANGE OF NAME PROCEDURE