Dwight Daniel S v. The Registrar Of Births And Deaths

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.3783 of 2026 Dwight Daniel S ... Petitioner Vs.

The Registrar of Births and Deaths, Kuzhithurai Municipality, Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District.

... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to change the name of the petitioner Dwight Dani in the birth certificate bearing Registration No.2079/2007/01 into Dwight Daniel S and reissue the same by considering his representation dated 31.01.2026 in the light of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette dated 06.04.2022. For Petitioner :

Mr.P.Sonu For Respondent :

Mr.P.Athimoola Pandian Standing Counsel 1/4

O R D E R

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent Municipality to effect the change of name of the writ petitioner in the birth certificate.

2. The petitioner was born on 25.07.2007, and a birth certificate was issued to him on 31.07.2007 in the name of "Dwight Dani".

3. The petitioner subsequently changed his name from "Dwight Dani" to "Dwight Daniel S" by way of a Gazette Notification dated 06.04.2022.

4. Based on the said Gazette notification effecting the change of name, the petitioner approached the respondent Municipality seeking issuance of a fresh birth certificate incorporating his new name. The learned counsel appearing for the respondent brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner's request was disposed of on 09.02.2026, informing him that he could use the existing birth certificate along with the Gazette notification. The learned counsel for the respondent also relied upon the circular issued by the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine dated 18.07.2021, wherein it has been stated that the birth certificate, along with the Gazette 2/4

notification, can be used as proof of date of birth as well as for change of name.

5. In view of the aforesaid circular and the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court is of the view that there is no necessity to issue a direction to the respondent Municipality to issue a fresh birth certificate incorporating the new name of the petitioner. The petitioner is at liberty to use the existing birth certificate along with the Gazette notification for all official purposes.

6. With the above observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

12.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No pal To The Registrar of Births and Deaths, Kuzhithurai Municipality, Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District.

R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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