Changing your name on educational certificates can feel complicated, especially when different boards, universities, and government departments have their own requirements. Whether you changed your name after marriage, divorce, adoption, personal choice, or due to errors in spelling, updating your academic records becomes necessary. Complete and correct documents help prevent issues in jobs, government exams, visas, or higher education.

Why Name Correction in Educational Certificates Is Important

Incorrect or outdated names can cause problems in several areas of life. Most students and working professionals face issues during job verification, background checks, passport applications, and admission procedures. Educational documents like mark sheets, degrees, migration certificates, and transfer certificates should match your identity proof for everything to move smoothly.

Updating your name ensures reliability across Aadhar, PAN, passport, educational records, and employment documents, avoiding delays and unnecessary stress.

Legal Ways to Change Name on Educational Certificates

Before approaching your school or university, you must legally update your name. Only after the legal process is completed do educational institutions accept applications for name correction or name change.

Affidavit for Name Change: The first and most crucial step is getting a name change affidavit. This affidavit acts as your legal declaration, a lawyer or notary helps prepare it, and it must clearly mention:

• Your old name
• Your new adopted name
• Reason for name change
• Your address and identity details

Newspaper Publication: Once the affidavit is ready, you must publish your name change in two newspapers:

• One in your local language
• One in English

The advertisement should involve your old name, new name, and date of declaration. You need to keep the original newspaper copies as they will be needed later.

Gazette Notification: Most educational boards and universities need a Gazette Notification. This is considered official proof of your new name. You must apply for publication in the State Gazette or the Central Gazette of India, depending on your location.

After approval, your new name appears in the Gazette, and you receive a copy of the notification, which becomes a permanent record.

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Process to Change Name in School or University Certificates

Once your legal name change is complete, you can apply for improvements in your academic records. The process differs slightly based on whether it is a school board, college, or university, but the basic steps remain similar.

• Collect All Required Documents: Before applying, gather the following documents:

1. Name change affidavit
2. Newspaper publication copies
3. Gazette notification
4. Aadhar card or identity proof with the updated name
5. School/college ID or previous records
6. Application form (board/university-specific)
7. Passport-sized photographs
8. Fee payment receipt (after submission)

• Submit Application to Your School/College: If you are still studying, your application must first go through your school or college. They verify your documents and forward the request to the respective board or university. For past students, some boards allow direct application, while others require forwarding through the last attended institution.
• Apply to the Education Board or University: Different boards have different procedures:

CBSE / ICSE Students: You must submit:

1. Gazette copy
2. Affidavit
3. Newspaper ads
4. School letter or verification
5. Correction application form

State Board Students: Each state board offers distinct guidelines and charges, but most require:

1. Gazette
2. Affidavit
3. Old certificates
4. A formal name change request

University Degree Holders: Universities usually ask for:

1. Gazette notification
2. Identity proof
3. Original degree/mark sheets
4. Application form
5. Processing fees

Once submitted, the board or university reviews the documents and issues corrected certificates.

How Long Does the Name Change Process Take?

The time required to change a name in educational certificates depends on the institution and the supporting documents you submit. On average, the process may take 15 to 45 days, but it can extend up to 2-3 months for older records or university-level updates.

Fees for Name Change in Educational Certificates 

The cost of correcting or updating your name varies based on the education board, university, and the documents required. Some institutions charge a basic correction fee, while others may require newspaper publication and gazette notification. Professional charges apply if you opt for professional assistance. Fees depend on the board/university:

• Affidavit: Rs50- Rs 200
• Newspaper ads: Rs300-Rs1500
• Gazette: Rs350-Rs1500
• Institution correction charges: Rs200-Rs3000

Common Reasons for Name Change in Educational Certificates

Students and professionals request name changes for several reasons:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Spelling mistakes
• Numerology preferences
• Personal identity change
• Adoption
• Misprinting on certificates

Conclusion

Changing your name on educational certificates may seem like a long process, but it becomes simple once you understand the legal steps and documentation required. Start with the affidavit, publish your name in newspapers, obtain your Gazette notification, and then apply through your school, board, or university.

With correct documents and a clear approach, you can update your academic records without stress and ensure your identity matches across all official documents.