How to Change/Update Name on Birth Certificate in West Bengal?

Birth certificates are essential legal documents that help prove one's identity, age, and citizenship. Thus, any errors in this document can create unnecessary hassles during official procedures like opening bank accounts, applying for passports, and admissions to educational institutions. 

Thankfully, in West Bengal, a simple procedure can change names and other details on an individual’s birth certificate. Keep reading to learn how to change your name on a birth certificate in West Bengal, the associated fees and timelines, the documents required, and more!      

In West Bengal, name correction in a birth certificate refers to a legal process through which an individual can change the name registered on their birth certificate. This may be due to cultural practices, marriage, divorce, gender change, self-preference, a desire to de-identify from a surname, or other personal reasons. 

After going through the required processes, people can legally change their names to the new ones they desire and use them in all identity documents, such as passports, licences, and so on.

Proving Identity:

School Admission

Passport Application

Driver’s Licence Application

Voter Registration

Accessing Government Benefits

Employment Verification

International Travel

To legally change the name on your birth certificate offline in West Bengal, follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Go to the Municipal or Panchayat for more information on the procedure.

Step 2: Complete the application for a name change on the birth certificate.

Step 3: Submit required documents, such as a copy of the school admission register, an adoption deed, marriage or divorce certificates, or an affidavit.

Step 4: Await confirmation from the authority on your submitted documents.

Step 5: Publish the new name in an English daily and any local newspaper.

Step 6: If necessary, publish the name change in the Official Gazette.

Step 7: Wait for the request to be processed (this may take a few weeks).

Once your application has been processed, you can obtain the birth certificate with the new name from the issuing body. Please ensure to check all the information before accepting the new certificate.

To avoid the common mistakes that usually occur when applying for a name change on a birth certificate, consider keeping these tips in mind:  

Make Sure to Provide the Correct Details:

Submit Clear Photocopies:

Ensure Proper Attestation

Verify Newspaper Publication

Stay Informed of Additional Requirements

Seek Support for Help

The time taken for birth certificate corrections in West Bengal is about 3-6 weeks. This timeline depends on the workload and rate of work in a given district or municipality. If any mismatch or documentation requires improvement, correction also takes more time.

To accelerate your application process, check whether all the necessary documents have been attached to the application. Also, local authorities have different guidelines, so it is best to refer to them for a smooth application. 

Additionally, you should always check with the concerned office, whether by phone or physically, to track the status of your application. Regular communication and documenting information can go a long way in improving processing time.

There could be so many reasons why someone may need to have their name on their birth certificate changed. Here are some of the most common ones: 

• Correction of names written inappropriately due to the missing or wrongly spelt words.
• Changes to identity-related to married, divorced, or adopted individuals who need legal paperwork alterations.
• Other reasons for a name change include cultural or personal reasons related to numerology, astrology, or other factors.
• In cases when people have undergone a sex change operation and wish to choose a name that suits their new identity. 
• Another reason people justify their new names is to change a name for passport reasons or to correspond with educational documents such as school certificates.

To maintain accuracy in official records, it is crucial to ensure that the father’s name is mentioned correctly on the birth certificate. In case you need to make any changes in this regard, here is a step-by-step guide: 

Step 1: Prepare a notarised affidavit mentioning the old name, the new name, why you want to change it, and the applicant’s address proof and age proof.

Step 2: Issue a public notice of the change of name in at least two local newspapers, one in Hindi and the other in English. 

Step 3: Apply to publish it in the Official Gazette of India by furnishing certain documents to the Department of Publication.

• Note: The documents include: 
• Notary affidavit 
• Copies of any newspaper you used for the advertisement 
• Name Change Form 
• Photocopies of the documents filed, including a CD soft copy of name change documents 
• Two passport-size photos of the applicant 
• Self-attested proof of identity 
• Forwarding letter containing the list of documents enclosed

Step 5: Pay ₹1,000/- (major) or ₹1,500/- (minor) Demand Draft to the Controller of Publication, Delhi.

Step 6: Once published in the Gazette, you can apply for a corrected birth certificate online at the state’s website.

Janma-Mrityu Tathya Portal

Bengal e-District Portal

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Portal

The KMC portal is available for all Kolkata residents seeking to correct birth certificates. It allows applicants to request corrections or alterations to their personal details, such as name and date of birth, particularly for those born within the city.

Each portal provides a straightforward way for residents of West Bengal to correct errors in their birth certificates, making the process more accessible and less time-consuming.

Check the Reason for Rejection

Contact the Local Registrar

Resubmit Application

Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation

Spelling Errors or Inaccurate Information

Difficulty Navigating the Portal

Local Registrar Delays

Requests for Additional Information

Confusion Over Local Guidelines

Each municipality or district may have slightly different rules or guidelines for correction requests. This can cause confusion about the exact procedure and required documents, leading to mistakes in the application.

By being aware of these challenges and following the correct procedures, applicants can reduce the chances of encountering these issues during the birth certificate correction process in West Bengal.

Completing the right registration procedure and providing the right documents is important to ensure that you have your child's correct birth certificate in West Bengal.

Following are some useful tips:

• Ensure you register the birth within the first 21 days after delivery to prevent any inconveniences or other charges.
• Check whether the registration form contains accurate details of the child’s name, date of birth, parent’s name, and residence.
• Gather all the necessary documents, such as a hospital birth certificate or a hospital discharge summary, as evidence of birth.
• Include both parents' Aadhaar or passport details as proof of identification.
• If relevant, attach the parents' marriage certificate to confirm the relation within the family.
• Provide evidence of residential address (Aadhaar card, Electricity bill).
• Before agreeing on the final copy, please read through the birth certificate one more time to ensure that it has not been tampered with.
• If you have any complications or problems, you should seek help from the local registrar’s office.

Now that you know how to change a name on a birth certificate in West Bengal, another thing needs your attention. If you are applying for a name change for an older individual, you need to get a court order from the respective officials. In this regard, you should get help from a lawyer to ensure a smooth application process.