Change of name if born in Australia

Change of name if born in Australia

If you were born in Australia, you will need to present a certificate from a state/territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

 

If you were married in Australia:

You will need to present your original marriage certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state/territory where you were married. We cannot accept a ceremonial certificate issued by a marriage celebrant.

You can only update your surname using your marriage certificate. Any changes to your first/middle names must be registered on a change of name certificate.

 

If you were married/divorced overseas or are choosing to change your name for any other reason:

You will need to present a change of name certificate or an updated birth certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state/territory where you were born. We cannot use foreign name change documents to update the name in your Australian passport.

 

If you were married in Australia and are now reverting back to your maiden name (due to divorce or by choice):

You can choose to revert back to the surname on your Australian birth certificate, provided you never changed your name with RBDM (and received a name change or updated birth certificate).

 

If you also hold an Australian citizenship certificate:

In instances where you also hold an Australian citizenship certificate, you can apply for an updated citizenship certificate in your new name and use this instead of a certificate from a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

 

Websites for each state's Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages:

Australian Capital Territory - Births, relationships and deaths - Access Canberra

New South Wales - NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages | NSW Government

Northern Territory - Births, deaths and marriages | NT.GOV.AU

Queensland - Certificates | Your rights, crime and the law | Queensland Government

South Australia - Births, Deaths & Marriages | Consumer and Business Services

Tasmania - Births, Deaths and Marriages : Home

Victoria - Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria | bdm.vic.gov.au

Western Australia -  The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages