Name Change Is Not a Fundamental Right, Requires Civil Court Decree : Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court ruled that a name change in board certificates requires a Civil Court decree under Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963.

It held that changes based on Aadhar and PAN cards are insufficient, as a Gazetted Notification is merely a public notice and not legally binding.

The petitioner sought to change his name from “Shahnawaz” to “Md. Sameer Rao” in school certificates, but the U.P. Board rejected it under Regulation 7 of the U.P. Intermediate Education Act, 1921, citing a three-year time limit.

A Single Judge, citing Article 21, allowed the change, but the State challenged the decision.

The Division Bench overturned the order, holding that name changes require a binding court decree.