How long does legal name change take

Nov 16, 2022

1,880 2 mins

Want to legally change your name in India? Not sure how long that will take? Keep reading to brief yourself on the name change time frame and the common mistakes one must avoid for ensuring a timely name change.

Changing your name cannot be done overnight, it requires systematic planning and involves a host of complicated pre and post-gazette publication compliance. While it might take approximately 4-8 weeks to get your name changed published in the gazette. It will take even longer to get this name change effected on important documents. This is why we recommend that you engage the services of Vakilsearch experts to ensure that you secure a quick and hassle-free name change.

Let us now look at some common mistakes during the name change process that can prolong your identity crisis.

Common Blunders to Avoid in Order to Secure a Quick Name Change

No Mention of the Father or Husband in the Newspaper Advertising

The applicant’s whole identification, including the names of his or her father or husband, should be included in the newspaper ad. Hence, make sure that these details are included without fail in your newspaper advertisement. If you already have an ad in which these details are not stated, immediately opt for another publication declaring the online name change as soon as possible. If you send in insufficient advertising, the gazette authorities will contact you to bring it to your attention, or they will wait until you contact them. This might take a long time and end up causing the publishing of your name change to be delayed for months on end.

Providing Wrong Details in the Demand Draft

The demand draft, which is used to pay for the publication, should be of sufficient value. It is critical to ensure that the most recent and updated fees are paid. Moreover, the demand draft must be addressed to ‘The Controller of Publications’ at Delhi: https://deptpub.nic.in/. Additionally, it must be noted that publication in the gazette for a name change is not the same as a publication for ‘one and the same person’ or ‘Name correction.’ The last two are considered public notices rather than name changes, and there are different fees that should be paid for each type of those publications.

Using an Out-Of-Date Affidavit

For a notification to be published in the gazette, an affidavit copy must be no more than one year old. If you send a copy of an older affidavit, you will be required to swear a new affidavit and send the copy, resulting in a time-consuming delay in the process.

The Advertising on the Newspaper Copy Sent to the Gazette Is Cut Out

One must include the entire sheet on which the advertisement appears. It is permissible to draw a circle around the advertisement to draw attention to it. However, if the advertisement is printed on a double-sided sheet of paper, the other half can be negated before mailing.

Missing Witness Signatures or Signing Your New Name

The proforma must be signed and attested by two witnesses, and their contact information must be included. Moreover, it should be signed in the applicant’s previous name rather than the new one.

Also, Read:

  • What Is a Digital Signature Certificate?
  • How to download Gazette Form for Name Change?
  • Name Change Procedure in India
  • How to Change Your Name After Divorce?

If you want to legally change your name, you must fill out and file name change forms with the court. Then a judge will sign a document called an order approving your name change. This article and the ones linked below go over this process.

If you want to change the name of several people in your family, contact the local circuit clerk. You might be able to file the separate requests into a single case.

Requirements to change your name

To change your name, you must:

  • Have lived in Illinois for at least 6 months,
  • Be at least 18 years old, and
  • Not be required to register as a sex offender.

If you have felony convictions or certain misdemeanor sexual offenses on your record, learn more about changing your name after a criminal conviction.

If you want to change the name of someone under 18 years old, learn more about changing a child's name.

Reasons to change your name

You can change your name for almost any reason. However, the reason cannot be illegal or fraudulent. For example, to avoid your debts.

The judge may ask you a few questions about the reason for your name change or your background.

Some common reasons to change your name are:

  • Getting married,
  • Getting divorced (learn more about name change after divorce),
  • You don't like your current name,
  • Making a political statement,
  • For a religious reason, or
  • Avoiding an abuser.

Time to complete

It will take at least 8 weeks to change your name. 

Fees

The most common fees are a filing fee, a publication fee for announcing your name change in a newspaper, and a certified copy fee if your name change is granted. These fees will vary depending on the county.

If you cannot afford the fees, you can ask for a fee waiver. If you have concerns about announcing your name change in the newspaper because of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or discrimination, you can ask the court if you can skip publication.

Marriage certificate and name change

Your county clerk will issue a new marriage certificate if:

  • You are married,
  • You changed your name, and
  • You live in Illinois.

How quickly can you change your name?

How long does it take to legally change my name? Name change actions can take anywhere from a day, to six (6) months (sometimes even longer). The time it takes for name change actions to be ordered/decreed varies not only from state to state but from county to county and courthouse to courthouse as well.

Why does it take so long to change your name?

If the court where you are filing your name change is experiencing heavy court caseloads (more than normal cases being filed around the same time), it can cause delays in processing times, and can take longer to get a hearing date, if one is required.

How long does a name change take in New York?

In about 2 or 3 weeks after you file your papers, the Court will mail you either: A court order that allows you to change your name, or. A notice rejecting your petition.

How long does a name change take in Georgia?

The required waiting period for an adult name change in Georgia is 30 days from the date of filing in court.