Quick answer
Name change in Chennai via Central Gazette: notarize affidavit on Tamil Nadu stamp paper (Rs. 20 or Rs. 50), publish the notice in one daily local leading newspaper, and dispatch the signed dossier to the Department of Publication, New Delhi, personally or by post/courier. Government fee: Rs. 1,100 for general citizens. Timeline: 5 to 10 weeks.
Chennai residents seeking a legal name change must follow the Central Gazette of India process: execute a notarized affidavit on Tamil Nadu stamp paper, publish the change of name notice in one daily local leading newspaper circulated in Chennai, and send the physical application package to the Department of Publication in New Delhi, personally or by post/courier. At Inamdar Legal, we provide remote name change support to Chennai clients, coordinating every step from affidavit drafting through to dispatch and follow-up.
Quick Answer
- 01Notarize affidavit on Tamil Nadu stamp paper (Rs. 20 or Rs. 50).
- 02Publish the notice in one daily local leading newspaper and preserve the full original page.
- 03Submit complete dossier to Department of Publication, New Delhi.
- 04Use Gazette copy to update Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, and banking records.
Chennai Newspaper Requirements
The Department of Publication requires the change of name to be advertised in one daily local leading newspaper - not two. For Chennai: The Hindu (Chennai edition) is the most respected and widely accepted. Times of India Chennai and Deccan Chronicle are also accepted. Dinamalar and Dinamani are the most widely circulated Tamil dailies and are accepted across all government departments. A second advertisement in a second language is not required. Preserve the full original page carrying the notice; weekly papers, supplements and magazines are not accepted.
Tamil Nadu Stamp Paper Denomination
Tamil Nadu typically requires Rs. 20 or Rs. 50 non-judicial stamp paper for name change affidavits. This is notably lower than states like Maharashtra. Your local notary in Chennai will advise the current applicable denomination. Ensure the stamp paper is purchased from an authorised vendor in Tamil Nadu.
Documents Required
Checklist for name change in Chennai:
- Notarized affidavit on Tamil Nadu stamp paper (Rs. 20 or Rs. 50)
- Original newspaper (the full page) carrying the change of name notice, published in one daily local leading newspaper
- Completed Proforma signed by applicant and two witnesses
- MS Word Proforma on CD/DVD
- Signed CD undertaking
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Self-attested Aadhaar / PAN / Passport copy
Government Fees
Central Gazette fees apply uniformly in Chennai:
| Category | Govt Fee |
|---|---|
| General citizen (adult) | Rs. 1,100 |
| Central Government employee | Rs. 1,100 |
| Minor (child) | Rs. 1,700 |
| Public notice / correction | Rs. 1,400 |
| Indian citizen living abroad (adult) | Rs. 3,500 |
How Inamdar Legal Helps Chennai Clients
Inamdar Legal assists Chennai clients with the entire name change process remotely. We draft the affidavit, coordinate Tamil newspaper notice in Dinamalar, and prepare the complete dossier for dispatch to New Delhi. Contact: +91 9106469665 or support@inamdarlegal.com.