One of the reasons Westerners are in awe of India is the number of different races and religions that coexist here. Furthermore, freedom of religion is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 15 and 25 of the Indian Constitution. The right to peacefully practise and spread one’s faith is guaranteed to all Indian citizens. In other words, they are free to adopt any religion according to their wishes and beliefs. India, the world’s largest democracy, not only offers freedom to choose one’s religion but also allows people to move from one religion to another according to their personal wishes. Conversion to religion can occur for many reasons, such as marriage, divorce, or simply one’s own choices and beliefs. The only requirement is that the changes are made in good faith and of your own free will.
However, please note that if you have a change of religion, you will also need to make the necessary changes to the required legal documents. Once the normal procedures for changing religion have been completed, this must normally be announced in the Official Gazette. Note that a change of religion has been announced in the Official Gazette, but a change of caste has not.
Documents required for the publication of public notices in official gazettes
- official copy
- Copies of newspapers mentioning details of each of the changing religions
- Self-certified passport photo
- Identity verification by self-authentication
- The government mandated a fee for changing religion.
Documents Required to Get a Certificate for Converting Religion
- Copy of the original newspaper wherein the advertisement pertaining to the converting religion was published.
- Original religion conversion certificate, given by the authorised religious institution.
- The application for converting religion duly signed by the applicant and witnesses, two in number, along with the declaration.
- Passport-size photographs, two in number
- Photocopies of valid identification documents, such as a passport, AADHAR card, voter ID, or PAN card
a letter of request written to the appropriate person and the required registration fee. - Affidavit on stamp paper
- Marriage certificate or divorce papers, if required.
Mandatory Documents are Required for Minors Below 18 Years
- Proof of identity like an AADHAR card or school ID
- Valid Address proof like an AADHAR card or ration card
- Proof to substantiate the age like that of a Birth certificate or bonafide certificate
- One recent passport-size photo
- The application form for changing the religion is duly signed by the minor if possible and by the parents or guardians.
Procedure to Converting Religion in India
Step 1: Filing the Affidavit
An affidavit on stamp paper with a minimum denomination of $10 should be used to record the faith of the convert. The affidavit is a crucial legal document that provides all the information required about the applicant who wishes to change faith.
Step 2: Advertisement in Newspaper
To guarantee there is no public opposition to the move, an advertisement must be published in a widely read regional or national newspaper. The newspaper should have all the necessary information such as the applicant’s name, address, and age.
Step 3: Publication in Official Gazette
The final step is to publish your converted religion on The Gazette, an online portal published by the Government of India. After an applicant submits an application for publication in the Official Gazette, the information provided in the application is verified. If the information is correct, the person’s change of religion will be published in the Official Gazette. if given
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