🌈 Complete Guide to Gender Change in India (2025 Update)

Changing your gender in India is a deeply personal and empowering decision. With increasing social awareness and supportive legal frameworks, the gender change process has become more streamlined and accessible.

This guide explains how to legally change your gender in India, the required documents, procedures, timelines, and how Gazette Consultant can assist you through every step.

🧠 What is Gender Change?

Gender change is the legal process of updating your gender identity in official government records to reflect your true self.
It can include changing your gender from male to female, female to male, or identifying as a third gender (transgender/non-binary).

This process goes beyond paperwork — it’s about affirming your identity legally and socially.

⚖️ Is Gender Change Legal in India?

Yes. Gender change is completely legal in India.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and landmark Supreme Court judgments recognize the right of every individual to self-identify their gender.

Key Legal Highlights:

• Right to Self-Identify: No one can be forced to undergo medical or surgical procedures for legal gender recognition.

• Gazette Notification: Publishing your gender change in the Official Gazette of India serves as legal proof of your new gender identity.

🌟 Why Do People Choose to Change Gender?

Individuals choose gender transition for a variety of personal and practical reasons, such as:

• Authenticity: To live in alignment with their true gender identity.

• Legal Recognition: To update gender details on documents like Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, and Voter ID.

• Equal Opportunities: To ensure correct gender representation in educational, employment, and social records.

• Reduced Discrimination: To avoid mismatched identity issues in daily interactions or official procedures.

🪪 Step-by-Step Process for Legal Gender Change in India

Below is a complete overview of the legal process for gender change in India.

Step 1: Prepare a Gender Change Affidavit

Create an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper declaring:

• Your old name and gender

• Your new name and gender identity (male, female, or transgender)

• A statement confirming your intent to be legally recognized as your new gender

The affidavit must be notarized by an authorized official.

Step 2: Obtain Medical Certificates (Optional)

Although not mandatory for Gazette publication, medical documents may help with updates in certain departments.

You may include:

• Psychiatrist’s Certificate (Gender Dysphoria diagnosis)

• Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) Certificate, if applicable

Step 3: Publish a Newspaper Advertisement

Publish your gender change notice in one local newspaper and one national English or Hindi newspaper.

Sample Format:

“I, (Old Name), son/daughter of (Father’s Name), resident of (Address), have changed my gender from (Old Gender) to (New Gender) and shall henceforth be known as (New Name), (New Gender).”

This step publicly announces and validates your new gender identity.

Step 4: Prepare Application for Gazette Notification

The Gazette Notification is the final legal step in your gender change process.
Once your change is published, it becomes a permanent legal record recognized by all government departments in India.

Step 5: Pay the Government Fee

• Visit www.bharatkosh.gov.in

• Select Controller of Publications

• Choose the Gazette Notification Fee

• Pay securely online

Step 6: Submit the Application

Submit your completed application either:

• By Post/Courier to the Gazette Office, Civil Lines, Delhi, or

• In Person at the Department of Publication, Government of India, Delhi

Include all required documents, photographs, CD copy, and payment proof.

Step 7: Receive Gazette Publication

Once your application is approved, your gender change notice will be published in the Official e-Gazette on

This publication is your final legal proof of gender change, valid across India.

⏱️ Processing Time

The Gazette publication process typically takes up to 8 weeks from submission, depending on verification and departmental workload.

📂 Where You Can Use the Gazette Notification

After receiving your Gazette copy, you can update your gender in:

• Aadhaar Card

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Voter ID

• Bank Accounts

• Educational Certificates

• Employment or Service Records

💼 How Gazette Consultant Can Help You

We provide complete support for the Gender Change Gazette process — from start to finish.

Our Services Include:

✅ Drafting Gender Change Affidavit
✅ Preparing Newspaper Advertisements
✅ Guidance for Bharatkosh Fee Payment
✅ Assistance in Gazette Form Compilation
✅ Preparing CD Copy & Declaration Letter
✅ Courier Service for Application Submission
✅ DIY Video Guides (Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, English)
✅ WhatsApp & Phone Support Until Gazette Publication

🌈 Why Choose Gazette Consultant?

• 15+ Years of Expertise

• 13,000+ Successful Clients Nationwide

• 100% Online Process

• Multilingual Support: Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil

• Safe Digital Payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, Bank Transfer via SBI)

• Transparent, Step-by-Step Assistance