Last updated: 18 October 2026
Short answer: An affidavit is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm before a notary, oath commissioner or magistrate. For a name change, the affidavit states your old name, new name and reason, and is usually followed by notices in two newspapers and publication in the Gazette of India (Part IV) or your State gazette. For address proof, the affidavit states where you live, since when, and in what capacity (owner, tenant, family member). Both must be signed in person before the attesting officer, on stamp paper or e-stamp if your State or the receiving office requires it. Free short samples of both are below.
Affidavit basics in two minutes
- Who attests: a notary public (Notaries Act, 1952), an oath commissioner appointed by a court, or a magistrate. Indians abroad can swear before an Indian consular officer.
- Oath or affirmation: you may take an oath or make a solemn affirmation under the Oaths Act, 1969. The legal effect is the same.
- Stamp duty: an affidavit attracts a small fixed stamp duty under each State’s stamp law, and the amount and exemptions differ by State. Most States now use e-stamp certificates. Ask the notary or the authorised e-stamp vendor for the current amount, and check whether the receiving office wants stamp paper at all.
- Appear in person: take original ID. Sign in front of the officer. Never sign in advance and send someone else for the “notary stamp”.
- Self-declaration may be enough: the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has long advised Government offices to accept self-declarations and self-attested copies instead of affidavits unless a law requires an affidavit. Check the office’s instructions first; it may save you time and money.
Name change affidavit: when and how it is used
India has no single statute on change of name. An adult may adopt a new name for lawful purposes; what matters is proof that the person with the old name and the new name is the same. The usual route is:
- Affidavit stating old name, new name, parentage, address and reason, attested by a notary or oath commissioner.
- Newspaper notices in one English and one local language newspaper circulating in your area. Keep the full original pages with the date and masthead.
- Gazette notification: apply to the Department of Publication, Government of India, for publication in the Gazette of India, Part IV (notices by private individuals) through its e-Gazette system, or to your State Government press for the State gazette. Check the department’s current checklist and fee before applying. Government servants usually need an NOC from their office, and a parent or guardian applies for a minor.
- Update your records one by one: Aadhaar, PAN, bank, passport, voter ID, driving licence, employer, insurance and educational records, using the affidavit, newspaper pages and gazette copy.
| Reason for change | Usual proof |
|---|---|
| Marriage (taking spouse’s surname) | Marriage certificate; many authorities accept it without a gazette notification |
| Divorce (reverting to earlier name) | Divorce decree and affidavit; gazette advisable |
| Spelling correction or new name | Affidavit, two newspaper notices and gazette notification |
| Minor’s name | Parent’s affidavit, birth certificate, newspaper notices and gazette |
Aadhaar: UIDAI limits the number of times a name can be updated (currently twice in a lifetime, with an exception process beyond that). Decide the exact spelling before you start.
Free sample: name change affidavit
AFFIDAVIT FOR CHANGE OF NAME
I, [NEW NAME] (formerly known as [OLD NAME]), [son / daughter / wife] of [father’s or husband’s name], aged [ ] years, resident of [full address with PIN code], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:
1. That my name is recorded as [OLD NAME] in [school certificates / Aadhaar / PAN / passport / bank records].
2. That I have changed my name from [OLD NAME] to [NEW NAME] with effect from [date] because [reason, for example: of marriage / of a spelling error / of personal preference].
3. That [OLD NAME] and [NEW NAME] are the names of one and the same person, namely me.
4. That I shall hereafter be known by the name [NEW NAME] for all purposes, and I request all authorities to record my new name.
5. That I shall publish the change of name in [newspapers] and get it notified in the [Gazette of India / State Gazette].
Verification: I, the above-named deponent, verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 5 of this affidavit are true and correct to my personal knowledge, no part of it is false and nothing material has been concealed. Verified at [place] on [date].
[Signature of deponent]
[Attestation by notary / oath commissioner with seal, registration number and date]
Address proof affidavit: when it works and when it does not
An address affidavit is useful where you have no utility bill or rent agreement in your name, for example when living with parents, in a relative’s home, or in a hostel. It is commonly asked for by schools, colleges, employers, gas agencies and some banks.
Remember two limits. First, many authorities accept only documents from a fixed list (UIDAI for Aadhaar, Passport Seva for passports, banks under their KYC rules), and a self-made affidavit may not be on that list; check before you spend on stamp paper. Second, where you live in someone else’s house, the receiving office often wants a no objection or consent letter from the owner with the owner’s ownership proof, rather than only your own affidavit.
Free sample: address proof affidavit
AFFIDAVIT FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCE
I, [Name], [son / daughter / wife] of [name], aged [ ] years, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:
1. That I am residing at [full address with PIN code] since [month and year].
2. That I reside at the said address as [owner / tenant under agreement dated [ ] / family member of the owner, Shri / Smt. [name], who is my [relationship]].
3. That this affidavit is required for [purpose, for example: admission to [institution] / employment with [employer] / new gas connection], and I have no other permanent address [OR: my permanent address is [ ]].
4. That copies of [my identity proof and the owner’s consent letter with ownership proof] are attached.
Verification: I verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 4 are true and correct to my personal knowledge, no part of it is false and nothing material has been concealed. Verified at [place] on [date].
[Signature of deponent]
[Attestation]
Need the complete, editable set? The Lexfolio Affidavit and NOC Set has English and Hindi formats for general affidavits, change of name (with a gazette note), proof of address, education gap, income, loss of documents, NOCs from landlord, parent and employer, a self-declaration and an undertaking, with guidance on stamp duty and attestation.
The verification clause, explained
The verification at the end tells the reader which statements rest on your own knowledge and which on records or information. For most office affidavits, all facts are within your knowledge, so the short verification in the samples works. If some facts come from records or other people, say so separately: “paragraphs 1 to 3 are true to my personal knowledge, and paragraph 4 is based on records of [ ], which I believe to be true.”
What happens if an affidavit is false
A false affidavit is not a paperwork slip. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:
| Provision | Offence | Maximum punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Section 227 with 229(1) | Giving false evidence in a judicial proceeding | 7 years and fine up to Rs 10,000 |
| Section 229(2) | Giving false evidence in any other case | 3 years and fine up to Rs 5,000 |
| Section 236 | False statement in a declaration that a public servant is authorised by law to receive as evidence | As for false evidence |
A false affidavit can also lead to cancellation of an admission, appointment or document obtained with it. For acts before 1 July 2024, the corresponding Indian Penal Code sections apply.
Common mistakes
- Spelling your name differently from your ID documents, or leaving out your father’s or husband’s name.
- Copying a format with facts that do not fit your case.
- Using an affidavit where the office has its own prescribed form (passport annexures, university formats, bank indemnities). Use the prescribed form.
- Writing your full Aadhaar number when it is not needed. Mask all but the last four digits.
- Skipping the gazette step for a name change and then being asked for it by the passport office or a board.
Get every affidavit right the first time. The Affidavit and NOC Set comes in editable Word and PDF, with shaded notes telling you what to fill, what to delete and what to attach.
Prefer Hindi? Read our guide शपथ पत्र का प्रारूप और नोटरी प्रक्रिया. Renting in Uttar Pradesh? See the UP rent agreement guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a notarised affidavit enough to change my name legally?
It is the first step. For acceptance by most Central authorities you will also need newspaper notices and a gazette notification. For marriage, the marriage certificate alone is often accepted.
How much stamp duty is payable on an affidavit?
It depends on your State’s stamp law and the purpose. Ask the notary or e-stamp vendor for the current amount, and check whether the receiving office needs stamp paper at all.
Can I make an affidavit on plain paper?
Many offices accept affidavits or self-declarations on plain paper. Follow the receiving office’s instructions.
Who can attest an affidavit?
A notary public, an oath commissioner appointed by a court, or a magistrate. Abroad, an Indian consular officer can.
Can I use an affidavit as address proof for Aadhaar or a passport?
Usually not on its own. These authorities accept documents from their own published lists. Check the current list before applying.
What if I made a mistake in an affidavit already submitted?
Make a fresh corrective affidavit explaining the error and submit it to the same office promptly.
*This article is general information, not legal advice.*