Create a legally formatted affidavit in minutes — name change, income, address proof, and more
An affidavit is a sworn written statement of facts made voluntarily by the deponent (person making the affidavit), confirmed by oath or affirmation before a person authorized to administer oaths. In India, affidavits are governed by the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (now Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023) and the Oaths Act, 1969. They must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of the prescribed value and notarized by a Notary Public appointed under the Notaries Act, 1952, or an Oath Commissioner appointed by the High Court. Affidavits are used extensively in Indian courts, government offices, and administrative proceedings as a substitute for oral evidence.
| Type | Common Use | Typically Required By |
|---|---|---|
| Name Change | Passport, Aadhaar, PAN, school records update | Passport Seva Kendra, UIDAI, Banks |
| Income | School admissions, scholarships, govt. schemes | Schools, Scholarship boards, BPL certification |
| Address Proof | When utility bills are not in your name | Banks, Government offices, Passport office |
| One & Same Person | Name mismatch across documents | Courts, Banks, Insurance companies |
| Date of Birth | Birth certificate unavailable or has errors | Schools, Passport office, Pension authorities |
| General | Court filings, property transactions, insurance claims | Courts, Registrar offices |
| State | Stamp Paper Value | E-Stamp Available |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Rs. 100 | Yes |
| Delhi | Rs. 10 | Yes |
| Karnataka | Rs. 20 | Yes |
| Tamil Nadu | Rs. 20 | Yes |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs. 10 | Yes |
| Gujarat | Rs. 20 | Yes |
| Telangana | Rs. 20 | Yes |
| West Bengal | Rs. 10 | Yes |
| Rajasthan | Rs. 10 | Yes |
| Madhya Pradesh | Rs. 50 | Yes |
* Rates are approximate and may change. E-stamps are available through SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India) authorized vendors.
The complete process for legally changing your name in India involves four steps:
Create a name change affidavit on stamp paper stating your old name, new name, and reason for the change. Get it notarized.
Publish a name change advertisement in two local newspapers — one in English and one in the regional language of your state. Cost is typically Rs. 500-2,000 per newspaper.
Apply to the Department of Publication, Government of India, for publication in the Official Gazette. This can be done online through the eGazette portal. Fee is approximately Rs. 600. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
With the affidavit, newspaper clippings, and gazette notification, update your name at: Aadhaar (UIDAI), PAN Card (Income Tax), Passport (Passport Seva), bank accounts, voter ID, driving license, and educational certificates.
Stamp paper value varies by state: Maharashtra Rs. 100, Delhi Rs. 10, Karnataka Rs. 20, Tamil Nadu Rs. 20, Uttar Pradesh Rs. 10, Gujarat Rs. 20, Telangana Rs. 20, West Bengal Rs. 10. The affidavit must be printed on non-judicial stamp paper of the prescribed value.
Yes, under the Indian Evidence Act (now Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023), an affidavit must be sworn before a person authorized to administer oaths — typically a Notary Public under the Notaries Act, 1952, or an Oath Commissioner appointed by the High Court. An unattested affidavit has no legal validity.
There is no fixed validity period for affidavits under Indian law. However, government departments and courts may require affidavits to be recent (typically within 3-6 months). Name change affidavits and one-and-same-person affidavits generally remain valid indefinitely once published in the Gazette.
Yes, e-stamp paper issued by SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India) is legally valid and accepted across all Indian states for affidavits. E-stamps are tamper-proof, can be verified online, and are available from authorized vendors or through the SHCIL website.
Step 1: Execute a name change affidavit on stamp paper and get it notarized. Step 2: Publish the name change in two local newspapers (one English, one regional language). Step 3: Apply for publication in the Official Gazette. Step 4: Update records at Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, etc. with the affidavit, newspaper clippings, and gazette notification as proof.
No, a self-attested affidavit is not legally valid. An affidavit must be attested by a Notary Public, Oath Commissioner, or Magistrate authorized to administer oaths. An unattested or self-signed affidavit has no evidentiary value in court proceedings or before government authorities.
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