Religious conversion legal procedure

Greetings,

To change your religion from Hindu to Buddhist legally, you need to do the following things:

a. Create a religion change affidavit. The same is prepared on stamp paper with details like name, the new religion, old religion, and address. The affidavit should be notarized by a notary public.

b. Place an advertisement in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure there is no objection from the public or illegal reasons behind change of religion. The advertisement should contain the name and address of people.

c. Notification of the religion change to alter the government IDs is given to the National Gazette.

d. The declaration related to religion change is published in the e-gazette. This takes up to 60 business days.

The following documents will be required for religion change:

a. Identity proof
b. Address proof
c. Photo proof
d. Application proof

The process of Converting religion in India involves both customary and legal procedures. In order to comply with the legal procedures, the applicant is required to furnish the stipulated documents. After verifying the same, the details of the applicant along with the information pertaining to the Converting religion are published in the government gazette.

Required Documents for the Gazette Publication of Notification

1. Copy of affidavit
2. A copy of the newspaper with information about the person's decision to change their religion
3. Self-attestation photographs in passport size
4. Identity verification through self-attestation
5. The cost specified by the government for converting to a different religion.

1. Step 1: Filing the Affidavit

The first step in the Indian conversion process is to file an affidavit. The religion conversion should be documented in an affidavit on stamp paper with a minimum denomination of ₹10. An affidavit is an essential legal document that includes all the information required about the applicant seeking a religious change. This would guarantee that the applicant's religion is updated in all official correspondence.

2. Step 2: Newspaper advertisement

To guarantee there is no public opposition to the move, an advertisement must be published in a regional or national publication with broad circulation. Name, residence, and applicant's age are among the facts that must be published in the newspaper.

3. Step 3: Public announcement in the Gazette

The final stage involves publishing the converted religion in the gazette, an Indian government-published web portal. The information provided in the application is checked once the applicant files the form for the gazette notification. If the information is confirmed to be accurate, the person's new faith is announced in the newspaper. The advertisement may take up to 60 business days to appear in the newspaper after the above procedures are finished.

Documents Needed to Receive a Certificate of Religious Conversion

1. A copy of the original newspaper with the conversion religion advertisement printed in it
2. The original conversion certificate issued by the recognized place of worship
3. The declaration and the properly signed application for religious conversion from the applicant and two witnesses
4. A total of two passport-size photos
5. Copies of valid identity documents, such as a passport, voter ID, AADHAR card, PAN (Permanent Account Number) card, or voter ID
6. A request letter sent to the appropriate authority, together with the registration cost specified
7. On stamp paper, an affidavit
8. If necessary, a marriage license or divorce decree.

Required Documents for Minors Under the Age of Eighteen

1. Identity verification, such as an AADHAR card or school ID
2. A valid proof of address, such as a ration card or AADHAR card
3. Documentation to support the age, such as a birth certificate or legitimate certificate
4. A recent passport-sized photograph
5. The application for a change of religion, properly signed by the minor's parents or guardians and, if feasible, by the minor themselves.