Damon Mcknight
Changing your identity in Australia involves a legal name change application with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). This process varies depending on the state or territory where you were born or reside. If you were born in Australia, apply in the state where you were born and obtain an amended birth certificate. Those born overseas must apply in their state or territory of residence, with continuous residency requirements varying from 12 months to three years. Applicants must provide valid identification and a sound reason for the name change, with fees ranging from $195 to $270. Processing times differ for various institutions, with passports and government IDs requiring a 'change of name' certificate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a name change? | Any Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or above. If under 18, a parent or guardian must apply on their behalf. |
| How often can you change your name? | Once in a 12-month period and three times in a lifetime. |
| What is the process? | Apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the state where you were born. If born overseas, apply in the state or territory where you live. |
| What documents are required? | Proof of identity, birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, etc. |
| What is the fee? | Varies from state to state, between $131 (Vic) and $270 (SA). |
| How to update other identity documents? | Update your birth certificate or obtain a change of name certificate. Update every institution, including banks, the Passport Office, Department of Immigration, Centrelink, etc. |
| Are there any restrictions? | Some names are not allowed. Certain classes of persons, such as convicted offenders, may be restricted from changing their name without permission. |
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What You'll Learn
Legal name change via Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM)
Any Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over can apply for a legal name change at Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). If you were born in Australia, you need to apply in the state where you were born and get an amended birth certificate. If you were born overseas, you must apply in the state or territory where you live. You must have resided continuously in that state for the past 12 months (except in New South Wales, where you must reside in the state for three years).
Once approved, you will receive a legal name change certificate. The same cost and process apply no matter how big or small the change is. A legal name change application is necessary if you want to change any part of your given name(s), all names, the spelling of your name, or the order of your names. You must provide a valid reason for wanting a new name. Reasons like 'my mother remarried and I am taking my step-parent's name' or 'changing names to suit my new religion' are considered appropriate. Reasons like 'a dare' or 'personal reasons' could be rejected.
If you were married in Australia, you can take or remove your spouse's surname without going through the formal name change application process. You simply need to give a copy of your Australian marriage certificate to the relevant organisations. If you were married overseas and wish to use your partner's last name, you may need to register a change of name.
If you are applying for a name change for your child (under 18 years old), both parents must complete the application. Children 12 years and over must agree to the change.
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Changing your name after marriage
If you were married in Australia, you can take your spouse's surname without going through the formal name change application process. You will need to inform all the organisations, institutions and companies that you deal with and provide them with a copy of your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). You may also need to send in a letter, form or email depending on their processes for your accounts/records/ID to be changed.
Common companies to inform include the Department of Motor Transport for your driver's licence and vehicle registrations, the passport office, banks, the ATO, Medicare, superannuation, insurance, loyalty clubs, subscriptions, and road tolls. If you have the ATO linked to myGov, log in and navigate to 'My Profile' > 'Personal Details'. Click the link to update your name and provide the registration number from your BDM marriage certificate.
If you were born in Australia, you will need to apply for an amended birth certificate. If you were born overseas, you must match the name on your citizenship certificate. To have any other name recorded on your accounts or ID, organisations will insist on a legal name change certificate or amended birth certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages.
If you were married overseas, you will have to apply for an official change of name. You will need to apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where you live. You must have resided continuously in that state for the past 12 months (except in NSW, where you must reside in the state for three years).
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Requirements for under 18s
The requirements for changing identity details for under 18s in Australia vary depending on the state or territory. Here are some general guidelines and specific procedures for certain regions:
General Guidelines:
- Parental Involvement: In most cases, both parents listed on the birth certificate must complete the application for a name change. If the child is 12 years or older, their consent is also required.
- Documentation: Ensure you have the necessary documents to support your application, such as identity and residency proof. These documents must be original and may include birth certificates, passports, driver's licences, etc.
- Application Process: The application for a change of name can typically be done online or through printed forms. There may be specific forms or requirements for minors, so it's important to check with the relevant authorities.
Queensland:
- If you're under 18 and don't have a Queensland-issued identification document, you may have limited options for proof of identity.
- Accepted documents include a current debit card, EFTPOS card, or credit card with your name on it. If your name isn't on the card, a supporting letter from your bank is required.
- If your documents don't include your Queensland address, you must provide proof of residency.
New South Wales (NSW):
- The Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in NSW will need to verify your identity before processing any name change applications.
- In NSW, you can only change your name once a year and up to three times in your lifetime.
- If you're under the supervision of certain authorities, such as the NSW Police Commissioner, you must obtain permission from them before applying for a name change.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT):
- If you are under 14 years old in the ACT, you can apply to the ACAT (ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for permission to change your identity details.
- ACAT will assess your understanding of the requested change and its alignment with your gender identity. If they approve, you'll receive a letter to proceed with your application to Access Canberra.
- If you're applying as a litigation guardian for a young person, you must submit additional forms, and your application may be shared with the minor's parents or guardians.
Victoria:
- If your child is under 18 and lives in Victoria, you can register to change their name and record of sex if desired.
- Both parents on the birth certificate typically need to complete the application, and the child's consent is required if they are 12 years or older.
- You may need to provide additional documents, such as an overseas birth certificate with a certified translation if it isn't in English.
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Foreign-issued documents
Passport
An overseas passport can be used as a primary document to verify your identity in Australia, especially for Australian Criminal History Checks. It must be current and include your name, date of birth, and other relevant information. If your foreign passport does not include your gender and place of birth, additional documents may be required.
Birth Certificate
If you were born overseas, you must provide your full and original foreign birth certificate. It may need to be legalised, depending on the circumstances. If your birth was not registered and you do not have a birth certificate, you may need to contact the relevant authority in your country to inquire about late registration. Alternatively, you may need to complete a form explaining why you do not have a birth certificate.
Driver's Licence
A foreign driver's licence can be accepted as proof of identity in some cases, such as for tax-related purposes. However, the address on the licence must match your home address provided in the application. If your name has changed, you must provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate or change of name certificate.
Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate issued by a foreign government can be used as proof of identity, especially when verifying a change of name. It is important to note that if it is in a foreign language, an official English translation must be provided along with the certificate.
Other Documents
Other foreign-issued documents that may be accepted as proof of identity in Australia include government-issued occupational licenses, foreign government-issued identity cards, and documents from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), such as a Notice of Assessment or Confirmation letter of Tax File Number (TFN). It is important to note that certified copies of original documents are usually required, and translations may be necessary for documents in languages other than English.
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Updating other identity documents
Once you have legally changed your name, you must update your identity documents. These may include:
Passport
The process for updating your name on your passport varies, so check the passports website for current processing times.
Bank accounts
Banks will insist on a legal name change certificate or amended birth certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Superannuation
Superannuation providers will insist on a legal name change certificate or amended birth certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Medicare
It can take four weeks to update your name with Medicare. For information on how to change your name, visit the Services Australia website.
Australian Taxation Office
The ATO can take four weeks to update your record. For information on how to change your name, visit the ATO website.
Driver's licence
If you live in Victoria, you must provide a physical licence (not a digital licence) as proof of identity.
Birth certificate
You will receive a new birth certificate with your new name. It will also show your name at birth, with a history of changes on the back.
Other institutions
Educational institutions, workplaces, and other organisations will have their own policies around updating names in their systems. Some require a statutory declaration confirming that you have affirmed your gender and updated your name, while others will need an updated birth or change of name certificate.
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Frequently asked questions
You can change your name only once in a 12-month period and up to 3 times in your lifetime.
You must lodge a legal name change application with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). If born in Australia, apply in the state where you were born and get an amended birth certificate. If born overseas, apply in the state or territory where you live.
You will need to submit proof of identity documents, such as an Australian driver's licence, and a statutory declaration. If you are under 18, both parents or guardians must fill out the application form.
The fees vary significantly from state to state. For example, in Victoria, the fee is $131, while in South Australia, it is $270.
You will need to update your identity documents, such as your passport, driver's licence, and Medicare card. You should also inform relevant organisations, such as banks and superannuation funds, of your name change.
