Calcutta High Court Allows Minor to Replace Father's Surname with Mother's

The Calcutta High Court directed municipal authorities to issue a fresh birth certificate to a minor who sought to change her surname from her father's to her mother's.

Justice Gaurang Kanth held that a child’s surname forms a key part of personal identity and autonomy, and approved the change since it did not infringe upon any third party’s legal rights.

The Court emphasized the child's welfare and clarified that the surname change would not impact the father's status as natural guardian or affect the minor’s inheritance or other legal rights.

The order came after municipal authorities initially rejected the minor's request.