Can I change my surname after 10th?

Changing your surname after completing the 10th grade (matriculation) is legally permissible but involves a few extra considerations—particularly regarding educational certificates you’ve already obtained. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to change your surname post-10th in India:

1. Legal Name Change Process (Same as Adult Process).
• You must be legally an adult (18 years or older). If you are younger (at or below 18), your parents or legal guardians must file on your behalf with a notarized letter of consent from both parents.
• Steps to Follow (As Outlined in “How to Change Surname”):
• Draft a Notarized Affidavit (on stamp paper) stating your old name (as per 10th board certificate), new surname (and full name if changing given name too), date of birth, father or guardian’s name, and reason for change.
• Publish your name change notification in one local (regional language) and one national (English) newspaper, ensuring the notice mentions your 10th board details.
• Apply for Gazette publication with your affidavit, newspaper tear sheets, and ID/address proofs.
2. Updating 10th Board Certificate & Mark Sheet.
• Board-Specific Procedures:
• CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education):
1. Download the “Correction of Name/Surname” form from CBSE’s official site.
2. Attach a notarized affidavit, newspaper tear sheets, and a photocopy of your gazette notification.
3. Pay the prescribed fee (approximately ?500–?1,000).
4. Submit the documents to the Regional Office; the board will print and dispatch a new mark sheet and certificate with your updated name—this process can take 45 days to 2 months.
• State Boards (e.g., Maharashtra Board, UP Board, etc.):
1. Each state board has its own application for “Name Correction” or “Correction in Mark Sheet.” Download the form from the respective board’s portal, attach your gazette notification, newspaper tear sheets, and pay the applicable fees (?300–?800). Turnaround times are usually 30 – 60 days.
• ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education):
1. Write a formal application on letterhead requesting “Name Correction” or “Name Update.”
2. Enclose notarized affidavit, newspaper tear sheets, and gazette notification.
3. Submit to the Council’s regional office; after verification, you’ll receive a new ICSE certificate in about 45 days.
3. Implications for Admissions & Future Education.
• College/School Applications: If you’ve already applied to higher secondary (11th/12th) or undergraduate programs using your old name, notify institutions of the change. Submit a copy of the gazette notification and a copy of the updated 10th certificate once it arrives.
• Entrance Exams (e.g., JEE, NEET): If your 10th certificate name differs from your application name, you may face issues during document verification. Most exam boards allow candidates to upload the gazette notification or newspaper tear sheet alongside the application. Always check the latest guidelines on the official exam portal.
• Scholarships & Financial Aid: Update your name in all scholarship portals (e.g., NSDL, Digilocker), attaching your gazette and updated mark sheet.
4. Updating Other Education Records (If Already Enrolled).
• School/College Enrollment Records: Provide the updated 10th certificate and your gazette notification to the institution’s administration office. They’ll update your enrollment data, all subsequent mark sheets, and transcripts.
• Library & ID Cards: Update your student ID/petition your library or resource center with the new ID proof to keep access uninterrupted.
5. Updating Other Government Documents.
• While the primary focus is on your 10th certificate, you’ll likely need to update all other documents next: Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc., as outlined in the “Name Change Permanently” process. Since your 10th certificate is a foundational document, having it updated first ensures a smoother downstream update flow.
6. Timelines & Fees to Expect.
• Newspaper Publications: 1 – 2 days for placement; receive tear sheets post-publication.
• Gazette Notification: 4 – 8 weeks (state/central).
• Board Certificate Update: 30 – 60 days after submission.
• ** Fees (Total Estimate):**
• Affidavit & Notarization: ?200–?500
• Newspapers: ?1,000–?2,000 (combined)
• Gazette Publication: ?400–?1,500
• Board Correction Fees: ?300–?1,000 per board
• Miscellaneous (travel, photocopies): ?300–?500