What Is Kolkata Gazette Notification & How to Apply for a Name Change Gazette? – Full Process Explained Simply

Dec 06 | Author Admin

What Is Kolkata Gazette Notification & How to Apply for a Name Change Gazette? Full Process Explained Simply

What is Gazette Notification?

A Gazette Notification is an official announcement published by the Government of India or a State Government in their Gazette (a government-issued journal). Think of it as the government’s official way of declaring something legally valid and publicly known.

Whenever the government approves something important—like a name change, property-related notice, company change, public appointment, or new law—they publish it in the Gazette.

Once it appears there, it becomes official and legally recognized.

What Is the Kolkata Gazette Notification?

A Kolkata Gazette Notification is an official government publication released by the Government of West Bengal. When your name change is approved and published in the Gazette, it becomes a legally recognized proof that your identity has changed from your old name to your new name. If you're planning to change your name in Kolkata—whether after marriage, divorce, personal preference, numerology, or any other reason—one of the most important legal steps is publishing your new name in the Kolkata Gazette. This official publication acts as a government-verified record of your name change and is often required for updating important documents like your Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, educational certificates, and more.

Why Is Gazette Notification Required?

You will need a Gazette notification if you have changed your name for marriage, divorce, family reasons, spelling corrections, personal preference, religion change, numerology or even if you want to change your child’s name. Many government organizations require Gazette proof before they update your name in their
records, which makes it a crucial part of the process.

Documents Required for Kolkata Gazette Name Change

To apply for a name change Gazette notification, you will typically need:

1. Affidavit for Name Change (sworn before a Notary or Magistrate)
2. Two Newspaper Name Change Advertisements
3. Passport-size photographs
4. ID Proofs (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, etc.)
5. Address Proof
6. Domicile Certificate
7. Application Form (as provided by the Gazette Department)
8. CD/Soft Copy of the Name Change Matter (if required by WB Gazette rules)

Step-by-Step Process: How to Apply for a Gazette Notification in Kolkata

Step 1: Prepare a Name Change Affidavit

Start with an affidavit where you declare:
1. Your old name
2. Your new name
3. Reason for name change
4. Basic personal details
You can do this at a First Class Magistrate Court.
This affidavit is the foundation of the Gazette process.

Step 2: Publish Ads in Two Newspapers

You must publish your name change advertisement in:
1. One English newspaper
2. One Regional (Bengali) newspaper
The ad should clearly mention:
• Old name
• New name
• Date of affidavit
• Father's/Husband’s name
• Your address
Keep the original newspaper copies safely—they will be required in the Gazette
application.

Step 3: Prepare the Application for Gazette Notification

You can apply online by visiting (https://www.wbgazettepart2.in/ ) or through
authorized platforms (if accepted).
Your file should include:
1. Affidavit copy
2. Newspaper clippings
3. ID proofs
4. Photos
5. Filled Gazette application form
6. Soft copy/CD of the content (some cases require this)
7. A forwarding letter

Step 4: Obtain Domicile Certificate

Obtaining a domicile certificate in Kolkata involves a simple but well-defined
procedure through the West Bengal government’s official channels. You can apply
either online via the West Bengal e-District Portal or offline at your local BDO
office, SDO office, or Kolkata Municipal Corporation depending on your area of
residence.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Visit the:
West Bengal Government Press,
Government of West Bengal,
Kolkata
Submit all documents and pay the required fee. After submission, the department
verifies your papers.

Step 6: Gazette Publication

Once approved, your new name will be published in the Kolkata Gazette
Notification.
This usually takes a few weeks depending on the workload of the government
press.
You can download the Gazette PDF once it’s published.

Step 7: Update Your Documents

Once you receive your Gazette notification, you can use it to update:
1. Aadhaar
2. PAN
3. Passport
4. Voter ID
5. Bank Accounts
6. School/College Records
7. Employment Records
It becomes your permanent legal proof of the name change.

How to obtain a domicile certificate?

Obtaining a domicile certificate in Kolkata involves a simple but well-defined procedure through the West Bengal government’s official channels. You can apply either online via the West Bengal e-District Portal or offline at your local BDO office, SDO office, or Kolkata Municipal Corporation depending on your area of residence. To begin, you must fill out the application form and provide essential documents such as proof of residence, identity proof, birth certificate, and a declaration showing that you have lived in West Bengal for the required number of years. In some cases, an affidavit confirming your permanent residency may also be needed. Once your application and documents are submitted, the authorities will verify your details. If everything is in order, your domicile certificate is issued, usually within a few days to a couple of weeks. This certificate is important for school admissions, government benefits, employment purposes, and legal identity verification within West Bengal.

How Long Does the Kolkata Gazette Name Change Take?

The Kolkata Gazette name change process generally takes a few weeks from start to finish. The affidavit, which is the first step, can usually be completed on the same day. After that, the newspaper advertisements are published within one to two days. Once you submit your documents to the Gazette office, the application review typically takes around one to two weeks, depending on the department’s workload. After approval, the final Gazette publication may take an additional two
to five weeks. Overall, when all steps are combined, the entire name change process usually takes about three to six weeks to complete.

Conclusion

Changing your name officially might seem complicated, but once you understand the steps, the process becomes smooth. The Kolkata Gazette notification is the final and most important step that gives legal validity to your new identity. If you follow the steps correctly—affidavit → ads → application → publication—you will have a legally recognized name change without any hassle.