Marriage is a life-changing choice. Marriage imposes obligations on both the husband and the wife. However, a woman alters her name in addition to leaving her parents’ house and moving in with the husband’s family.
By Indian law, no one needs to opt for a name change after marriage, and it is entirely up to the parties. Changing one’s name is a straightforward process, and all states also share it.
Before proceeding, remember that the law enables a person to alter their name only once in their lifetime. So, before making such a decision, one must be particular about it.
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Benefits of changing name post marriage
There are a few excellent reasons you may desire to alter your surname. Here is a list of the advantages of name change after marriage:
Paperwork is simplified
The paperwork becomes a breeze when you file for joint bank accounts with your husband or purchase a home. Moreover, it is incredibly advantageous from a legal perspective. People will not question you if you are your husband’s wife or ask you to confirm your identity.
You are not required to reveal your first name
Because you share a surname, you do not have to expose your first name to other people, which is especially beneficial when meeting new individuals at social gatherings.
School formalities of your child become easy
Admitting your children to school becomes easy. When parents have different surnames, their children may be shamed. Your children will not have to answer personal inquiries or endure embarrassment because you have the same surname. Parent-teacher conferences become less awkward because teachers know you are their legal guardian.
You Receive Your Marriage Certificate
You usually do not receive a marriage certificate to maintain your original name after being married in India. However, if you ask for a name change, in that case, you will receive a marriage certificate which will come in handy in the future, especially if you decide to reside overseas after getting married or seek employment in multiple countries at the same time.
Entities that must be notified of name change after marriage
Before officially opting for a name change after marriage, you must inform a couple of institutions. Following is the list:
Inform Your Employer
If you work for a startup or an organisation, you should tell them of your name change and provide them with a copy of your marriage certificate or other name-change papers. The sooner you start, the better.
Financial Institutions and Banks
If you have any bank accounts, you must notify them of the name change. You do not want your new name to interfere with financial operations or cause complications when applying for loans.
Postal Service
You’ll need to update your address and your name, and it is helpful for couriers and package delivery.
Telecommunications and utility companies
Your utilities, telephone, and water bills should reflect your new name.
Income Tax Department of India
To pay income taxes and obtain exclusive tax benefits for married couples when acquiring joint properties, renting/leasing, and so forth.
Records Department
This department issues your birth certificate.
Administration for Social Security
It is not an optional step. Do not forget to change your name here because your social security number is necessary everywhere you go.
Passport Agency
Passport name change after marriage in India is standard. Because if you do not change your name on your passport, you will have a difficult time travelling overseas or even filing for a Visa with your husband.
Office of Public Assistance (Welfare)
It is unquestionably an entity you must notify and is required.
Veterans Administration
Another legal authority that must be notified of any post-marriage name changes
Insurance Companies
To improve your chances of future benefits, you can change your name in the records of insurance companies such as vehicles, houses, consumer durables, or life insurance.
Department of Motor Vehicles
This department issues driver’s licences.
Registrar of Voters
If you wish to vote for any political party under your new name, you must also change your name here.
Colleges and universities
Whether you’re a university student, seeking further education, or sending your children to school, please modify your documents with your new name.
Creditors and Debtors
If you have issued or accepted loans from others, whether peer-to-peer or through financial intermediaries, you must alter your name in legal contracts you signed for those loans.
Mention the methods of changing details after marriage
If you wish to change your name after marriage in India, you must ensure the following few steps. Here are the steps involved in changing one’s name after marriage:
Step 1 – Your Marriage Certificate
You must first get your new name recorded on your marriage certificate. To do so, go to the official website of the Indian government and obtain the marriage registration paperwork. Fill in the blanks and return them to the Sub Registrar’s Office.
You will also be required to provide many copies of passport-size pictures, an Aadhar Card, a PAN card, and other ID/address proving papers. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 governs name changes on marriage certificates, and more data may be accessed on the website of the Central Government.
Step 2: Obtain an Affidavit
An affidavit is a standard document (stamped paper) used to change one’s name in India. In the affidavit, you must mention the cause for your name change, as well as your new and old names. You can obtain one by requesting an affidavit for the post-marriage name change from a registered notary.
Step 3 – Third-Party Declaration
Your name should be formally declared when you have successfully changed your name using your marriage certificate and completed the affidavit process. One approach to achieve this is to put your name in two well-known local newspapers and announce that you have changed your name.
Furthermore, the legal procedure for your name change declaration requires you to publish your name in the Gazette of India, an official publication issued by the Government of India.
Step 4 – Implement Changes
After successfully changing your name and publishing it in the Gazette of India, you must update it in other documents such as your bank accounts, PAN Card, Passport, Aadhar Card, High School Certificates, among others.
Take any relevant papers, including your name change information, and submit them to the places you received your PAN, passport, Aadhar, and other official documents to update your name and make it official on your records.
List of official documents required and the process name change after marriage.
An individual who wishes to change their name must maintain the following papers on hand for name change after marriage advertising to be published in the Gazette of India.
- An affidavit signed by the applicant and witnessed by a Judicial Magistrate/Notary
- Original newspaper with an ad for a name change
- Prescribed proforma (should be typed on a computer rather than handwritten) with signatures of the applicant and two witnesses
- Compact discs contain a soft copy of the application in MS Word format (typed content, not a scanned copy). The applicant’s former name should be provided with the applicant’s signature, and witness information is not required.
- A document in which the applicant specifies the hardcopy and softcopy contain the same information. The applicant must sign the certificate.
- The applicant must provide two passport-sized pictures, both of which must be self-attested.
- A photocopy of valid ID evidence that the applicant has self-attested
- A request letter, as well as the appropriate charge, as determined by the Authority
Conclusion
In India, changing one’s name after marriage is a simple process with its own set of advantages. Changing one’s name may be an exciting and vital aspect of a marriage. However, to avoid headaches, the name change must be done correctly. When changing one’s name, the services of the family law professional should be enlisted. Changing one’s name after marriage has several consequences. A name change aids with documentation. When acquiring a shared property, a common surname with the husband makes it simple to show the husband-wife connection. Children do not face an identity crisis on having parents with two surnames.
FAQ's on name change after marriage
Is it necessary to change one's name after marriage?
It is neither the rule of law nor a requirement that a woman should change her name or surname after marriage or remarriage and use her current husband's surname with her name.
What documents are required to change the name in PAN?
PAN is one of the most crucial papers for financial transactions and necessary ID evidence; therefore, altering names in PAN is preferable. The procedure can be completed online. To change the name in PAN, the following documents are required:
- Marriage certificate or marriage invitation card
- Publication of name change in the official gazette
- Copy of passport showing husband’s name
- Certificate issued by a gazetted officer (only for the change in the applicant’s name)
