Quick answer
Name change in Kolkata: notarize affidavit on West Bengal stamp paper (Rs. 10 or Rs. 50), publish in Anandabazar Patrika or Aajkaal (Bengali) and The Telegraph or Times of India Kolkata (English), submit dossier to Delhi. Government fee: Rs. 1,100. Timeline: 5 to 10 weeks.
Kolkata residents who need to legally change their name must follow the Central Gazette of India process. This requires a notarized affidavit on West Bengal stamp paper, publication in one English and one Bengali newspaper circulated in Kolkata, and submission of the complete application dossier to the Department of Publication in New Delhi. West Bengal also has its own State Gazette (Kolkata Gazette), but the Central Gazette is required for all national ID updates. Inamdar Legal provides fully remote name change support to Kolkata clients.
Quick Answer
- 01Notarize affidavit on West Bengal stamp paper (Rs. 10 or Rs. 50).
- 02Publish in Anandabazar Patrika or Aajkaal (Bengali) and The Telegraph Kolkata (English).
- 03Submit dossier to Department of Publication, New Delhi.
- 04Update Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, and banking records after Gazette publication.
Kolkata Newspaper Requirements
For name change ads in Kolkata: 1. English daily: The Telegraph (Kolkata's leading English daily) or Times of India Kolkata or The Hindu. 2. Bengali daily: Anandabazar Patrika (the highest-circulation Bengali daily in West Bengal, headquartered in Kolkata) or Aajkaal or Bartaman. Anandabazar Patrika is strongly recommended for Kolkata.
West Bengal Stamp Paper
West Bengal has relatively low stamp paper denominations. For name change affidavits in Kolkata, Rs. 10 or Rs. 50 non-judicial stamp paper is typically used. Your local notary will advise the correct denomination. Notaries are available at district courts throughout Kolkata including at Bankshall Court and Alipore Court.
Documents Required
Checklist for Kolkata name change:
- Notarized affidavit on West Bengal stamp paper (Rs. 10 or Rs. 50)
- Original newspaper sheets: one English + one Bengali daily
- 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:
| Category | Govt Fee |
|---|---|
| General citizen | Rs. 1,100 |
| Government employee | Rs. 1,400 |
| Minor (child) | Rs. 1,700 |
| NRI | Rs. 1,400 |
How Inamdar Legal Helps Kolkata Clients
Inamdar Legal assists Kolkata clients remotely. We draft the affidavit, coordinate Anandabazar Patrika and English newspaper ads, compile the complete dossier, and handle the New Delhi submission. Contact: +91 9106469665 or support@inamdarlegal.com.