What is the process for getting a name change legally recognised?

The typical process involves executing an affidavit stating your old and new name and the reason for the change, publishing a notice in the official government gazette and, often, in local newspapers, and then using these documents to update your name across various records — Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank accounts, educational certificates, and so on.

Each institution or authority you need to update will typically have its own specific documentation requirements, so it's worth checking what each one asks for (some may want the gazette notification specifically, others may accept a notarised affidavit) before starting the update process everywhere.

It can take some time and coordination to get the name change reflected consistently across every document and institution, so it helps to keep a checklist and start with foundational documents (like Aadhaar) before moving to others that may require the updated foundational ID as proof. A lawyer or documentation service can help streamline this process if you'd prefer not to handle each step yourself.