The image above is an illustration made for this guide, not an official graphic.
A Gazette name change is a notice of your change of name published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette. This guide follows the state’s own application route, through the Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications (DGPS) and the Aaple Sarkar portal, and sets out the published document checklist, what the fee pages show, how long publication takes, how to track and download your notice, and what the notice does and does not do for your other records.
This is an independent guide and is not run by the Government of Maharashtra. Requirements and fees are set by the department and change, and consultancy websites often describe a different process. Use the official links below, and pay only through the official application. Be wary of anyone who guarantees approval.
Quick answer and official links
Apply online through the official service, then track and download your published notice from the same route. The state publishes the notice, and each issuer of your documents then handles its own update.
- DGPS Maharashtra, the department that publishes the Gazette.
- Aaple Sarkar, where the name-change service is listed with its designated and appellate officers.
- The DGPS application manual, on the DGPS site. It shows the screens for form download, upload and online payment. Treat it as interface guidance, because any fees in an older manual may be out of date.
This guide covers the Maharashtra state Gazette. The Central Gazette has a separate process, so do not mix their instructions.
Documents by applicant circumstance
The official DGPS guidance lists these examples. Treat it as the published checklist, and follow the live application form for what applies to your case.
| Requirement | Officially listed examples |
|---|---|
| Identity proof | PAN, passport, Aadhaar or voter card |
| Address proof | Aadhaar, ration card or electricity bill |
| Photograph | A passport size photograph |
| Minor applicant | Birth certificate |
| Middle-name change | An affidavit |
| Name change after marriage | Marriage certificate |
An affidavit appears on the official list for particular cases, such as a middle-name change. It is not listed as a universal requirement, and newspaper clippings are not listed as a requirement for every applicant either, so do not buy a newspaper advertisement unless the form asks for one. Date of birth and religion changes use different checklists, so do not mix them with this one.
How to apply online
- Open the service through DGPS or Aaple Sarkar.
- Register or sign in, and choose the name-change publication service.
- Read the instructions that apply and download the prescribed form.
- Complete the form, then scan it and prepare your uploads. Printing and scanning the form to upload it is not the same as posting original documents. Do not post originals unless a current official instruction for your case says so.
- Check the old name, the new name and the address carefully.
- Submit, pay through the official process and keep the receipt and the application number.
- Track the application, then find and download the published notice.
Check your spelling before you submit. DGPS says the department cannot change the information once the application process is complete.
Fees and timing
Government pages show different fee amounts. The DGPS FAQ page shows ₹559 for the general or open category and ₹309 for the reserved category, while another DGPS information page shows ₹523.60 and ₹273.60. Both carry a category exception, and not every reserved-category applicant qualifies. Check the amount and the category eligibility shown in the official application before you pay. If anyone charges a separate assistance fee, treat it as a separate cost from the government fee.
DGPS describes publication as generally taking around 15 days. It says immediate publication is not available because the Gazette is published weekly. Treat that as official guidance and not a guaranteed completion date.
Tracking and downloading your notice
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Tracking the application | Check the status of your application number on the official service. |
| Finding the published notice | Select the relevant service under Gazette status and enter your application number. |
| Downloading and keeping it | Save the publication’s cover page and the page that carries your notice, and keep several copies. |
Mistakes, delays and support
- Recheck the names and address before you submit, since errors cannot be corrected afterwards.
- If your application is delayed, use the Aaple Sarkar service page, which lists the designated and appellate officers and a citizen helpline. Use the number shown there.
- Keep your application number, receipt and screenshots.
- Never share your password or OTP with an agent.
Updating your other records afterwards
Gazette publication records the name-change notice. Updating Aadhaar, PAN, passports, bank accounts and educational records remains a separate process governed by each issuing authority’s requirements. DGPS states that publication does not itself confer a right to have government or other records changed. Check what each issuer asks for. For Aadhaar updates in Navi Mumbai, see the Aadhaar centres guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Gazette name change in Maharashtra?
Apply online through the official service on DGPS or Aaple Sarkar: register or sign in, choose the name-change publication service, complete the prescribed form and uploads, pay through the official process and keep the receipt.
Do I need a newspaper advertisement or an affidavit?
Not in every case. The official DGPS checklist lists an affidavit for particular cases, such as a middle-name change, and does not list newspaper clippings as a universal requirement. Follow the live form.
What documents are needed?
The published checklist lists identity proof, address proof and a passport size photograph, with a birth certificate for a minor, an affidavit for a middle-name change and a marriage certificate for a change after marriage.
How much does it cost?
Government pages show different amounts, for example ₹559 and ₹523.60 for the general category. Check the amount and the category eligibility shown in the official application before you pay.
How long does publication take?
DGPS describes it as generally around 15 days, and says publication is weekly. It is official guidance and not a guaranteed date.
How do I download the Gazette notice?
Select the relevant service under Gazette status, enter your application number, and save the publication’s cover page and the page with your notice.
Does the Gazette notice update my Aadhaar and PAN?
No. Publication records the notice. Each issuing authority has its own process and requirements for updating its records.
Official sources and a note on accuracy
This guide follows the DGPS Maharashtra guidance and application manual and the Aaple Sarkar service information, reviewed on 22 October 2026. Consultancy websites describe other steps and fees, and they are not used here. The fee pages and the manual differ, so confirm the amount on the payment screen.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with the Government of Maharashtra or any government body.
