How do you legally change your name in Australia?

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How can you change your name in Australia? Source: iStockphoto / SeventyFour/Getty Images

Australia Explained

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Choosing to legally change your name is a significant life decision that reflects your personal circumstances. Each year, tens of thousands of Australians lodge an application through the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. If you’re considering a change of name, this episode takes you through the process.

Key Points

The legal change of name process is managed by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in your state or territory.
The process can vary depending on where you live.
In some circumstances, such as after marriage, there’s no need to change your name through BDM.
Once you change your name, you are responsible for notifying organisations, including Home Affairs.

Why change your name?
Are there restrictions when changing your name?
What is the application process?
Do you have to take your partner's name?
What happens after you apply?

Your legal name is the one that appears on identification such as your birth certificate, passport or visa.

If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you have the option to change your legal name through the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM).

A close up view of an Australian Birth Certificate in Sydney, (AAP Image/Paul Braven) Source: AAP / PAUL BRAVEN/AAPIMAGE

Why change your name?

People change their legal name for countless personal reasons.

“Reasons may include legally adopting a name variational or nickname, changing a surname following an overseas wedding, choosing a name to better suit a person's gender identity,” explains Derise Cubin, spokesperson for the BDM team at Access Canberra.

Then there are those who change their name after migrating to Australia, like visual artist Elliott Fox.

He migrated with his family from (former) Czechoslovakia when he was a child.

“When we arrived and our names were registered by Australian immigration, the accents above the letters were simply removed... This meant that our names were pronounced differently to how they were supposed to sound. Growing up in Australia I found it difficult to identify with my name and it didn’t give me confidence.”

As an adult, Elliott chose to change his name to one that he liked, that boosted his confidence and better aligned with his identity as a visual artist.

Close up of a birth certificate. Source: iStockphoto / Yau Ming Low/Getty Images

Some people feel they need to change their name for administrative clarity.

Mehrangiz Tabatabaei is a Settlement Case Manager with the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania. She’s helped many clients do just that.

“One of the most common issues encountered by individuals is people from Myanmar when settling in Australia—the misinterpretation of the Burmese naming conventions.” she says. “A frequent mistake is the assumption that the last part of the name is a surname. However, the Myanmar Nationals do not traditionally use surnames at all.”

One such teenage client from Myanmar had a two-part first name and no surname.

Her school, her bank and the Australia Taxation Office each interpreted her name differently, resulting in a chain of confusion.

“Some used the first part as her surname, others used the second part, and some combined both parts into a single surname. Eventually she [filed for a] legal name change with Births, Deaths & Marriage to create a consistent first and last name format that all systems could recognise.”

Are there restrictions when changing your name?

The process can vary according to where you live. The first step is to have a look on your state or territory Births, Deaths & Marriages website.

For those born in Australia it’s easiest to apply with BDM where your birth was registered. You might also be permitted to apply outside of that jurisdiction if you prove your current residency.

Age restrictions can vary too, depending on where you live. In the ACT for example, parental permission is usually required if you’re under 18, Derise Cubin says.

“However, there are certain instances where a young person may seek to change their name without their parents’ involvement—for example, changing their name to better suit their gender identity.”

As an adult you can change your name a maximum of three times. In cases of marriage, divorce or domestic violence this doesn’t count.

The decision to change your name is a serious one, and there are limits to what name you can choose. For example, it’s not permissible to adopt an official title or a name that may be considered offensive.

If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you have the option to change your legal name through the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM). Credit: Zero Creatives/Getty Images/Image Source

What is the application process?

You’ll need to fill out a BDM application and provide proof of identity such as a birth certificate or driver's license. This can usually be completed online.

You might be asked to provide the reason for your name change, whether you’ve changed your name recently or if you have a criminal record.

A quick tip from Elliott Fox, who applied through the ACT Registry:

“One thing I hadn't considered when I arrived to submit my application was that I needed a new signature, so I quickly practiced a new signature while the friendly government official waited for me.”

Taking your partner’s name

In Australia there’s no expectation to change your surname when you get married, though some people do choose to take their partner’s family name. Some couples also combine their family names.

“If you want to use your spouse's surname after getting married in Australia, you typically don’t need to register a change of name,” Derise Cubin explains.

“You can provide your standard marriage certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages to support the change on key identity documents.”

The same applies if you want to revert to your original name following separation, divorce or personal choice.

If you married overseas, or if you were born overseas but married in Australia, your documentation might not be recognised in Australia so you may need to apply through BDM.

What happens after you apply?

Processing times vary, so allow several weeks, and depending on where you apply, expect to pay $200-300.

Once your application is processed you’ll receive a change of name certificate.

You’ll no doubt have a long list of organisations to notify. Elliot Fox began with his driver's license and passport.

“Then gradually I changed my name everywhere else by contacting the relevant businesses or organisations, which was mostly easy, although some banks are difficult, and I found it easier to simply close an account with my old name and open a new account with my new name.”

Are there restrictions when changing your name? Credit: Unspalsh - Chuttersnap

The list also includes Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink, the Australian Electoral Commission, your insurers and your superannuation funds, and you’ll need to update your legal Will.

And don’t forget a new email address.

You‘ll also need to apply for a new passport, and if you have a visa or are applying for one, notify the Department of Home Affairs of your change of name.

Whatever your situation, your local Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages will guide you through the process.

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Subscribe to or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia.

Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@sbs.com.au

Transcript

Presenter 1

SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways across Australia.

Presenter 2

You're listening to Australia Explained, an SBS audio podcast helping you navigate life in Australia.

Derise Cubin

Maram Ismail

Choosing to legally change your name is a significant life decision that reflects your personal circumstances. Surprisingly, tens of thousands of Australians do so each year via the registry of birth, death, and marriages.

Elliot Fox

Growing up in Australia, I found it difficult to identify with my name, and it didn't give me confidence.

Maram Ismail

This is Australia Explained podcast, and I'm your host, Maram Ismail. If you're considering a change of your given names or surname, this episode takes you through the process. Your legal name is the one that appears on identification such as your birth certificate, passport, or visa. If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you have the option to change your legal name through the registry of Births, deaths, and marriages, BDM. Derise Cubin is spokesperson for the BDM team at Access Canberra. She says there are many reasons someone may choose to change their name.

Derise Cubin

Reasons may include legally adopting a name variation or nickname, changing a surname following an overseas wedding, choosing a name to better suit a person's gender identity. A number of people are contacting the ACT Birth Tests and Marriages to change their name to better reflect their gender identity, and that is becoming a more common inquiry for people wishing to do that.

Maram Ismail

Then there are those who changed their name after migrating to Australia, like visual artist Elliott Fox. He migrated with his family from former Czechoslovakia. When he was a child, when

Elliot Fox

we arrived and our names were registered by Australian immigration, the accents above the letters were simply removed because accents are not used in the English alphabet, and this meant that our names were pronounced differently to how they were supposed to sound. Growing up in Australia, I found it difficult to identify with my name, and it didn't give me confidence.

Maram Ismail

Years later, as an adult, Elliott. To change his name to one that he liked that boosted his confidence and better aligned with his identity as a visual artist. However, you may feel the need to change your name for administrative clarity. Mehrangiz Tabatabaei is a settlement case manager with the Migrant Resource Center Tasmania. She's helped many clients through the process.

Mehrangiz Tabatabaei

One of the most common issues encountered by individuals is people from Myanmar when settling in Australia, the misinterpretation of the Burmese naming conventions. A frequent mistake is the assumption that the last part of the name is a surname. However, the Myanmar nationals do not traditionally use surname at all.

Maram Ismail

One such teenage client from Myanmar had a two-part first name and no surname. Her school recorded the second part of her name as her surname, resulting in a chain of confusion.

Mehrangiz Tabatabaei

When she applied for the tax file number and opened the bank account. Institutions interpreted her name differently, so some use the first part as her surname, others use the second part, and some combined both parts into a single surname. Eventually she filled the legal name changing with the birth date and marriage to create a consistent first and last name format that all systems could recognise.

Maram Ismail

The change of name process can vary according to where you. The first step is to have a look on your state or territory, births, deaths, and marriages website. If you're born in Australia, it's easiest to apply with the BDM where your birth was registered, although it's possible to apply outside of that jurisdiction. To change your name in the ACT, for example, you must have been born in the ACT or provide proof that you reside there, Ms. Cubin explains and requirements also vary according to your age.

Derise Cubin

If you're over the age of 18, you can apply to change your name without permission from other parties. If you're under the age of 18, your parents usually need to be involved in the application process. However, there are certain instances where a young person may seek to change their name without their parents' involvement. For example, changing their name to better suit their gender identity.

Maram Ismail

You'll need to fill out the BDM application and provide proof of identity such as a birth certificate or driver's license, and this can usually be completed online. You might be asked to provide the reason for your name change, whether you have changed your name recently or if you have a criminal record. As an adult, you can change your name a maximum of 3 times, but this doesn't include following marriage or divorce or in cases of domestic violence. It's a serious decision, and you need to consider your new name carefully, Derise Cubin explains.

Derise Cubin

There are some restrictions when deciding to change your name. For example, you can't change your name to an official title or a name that might be considered offensive.

Maram Ismail

So have a conversation with your relevant BDM team about your circumstances and the best path for you. The process might even raise issues you hadn't anticipated. Elliott Fox applied through the Canberra registry where he received his change of name certificate.

Elliot Fox

One thing I hadn't considered when I arrived to submit my application was that I needed a new signature, so I quickly practiced a new signature while the friendly government official waited for me. That was pretty funny.

Maram Ismail

Processing times vary, so allow several weeks, and depending on where you apply, expect to pay $200 to $300. However, if you change your name following marriage, there is generally no cost. In Australia, there is no expectation or requirement to change your surname when you get married, though some people do choose to take their partner's family name. And in these cases, the process is usually straightforward, Derise Cubin explains.

Derise Cubin

If you want to use your spouse's surname after getting married in Australia, you typically do not need to register a change of name. You can provide your standard marriage certificate issued by an Australian registry of birth, deaths and marriages to support the change on key identity documents like a driver license and passport.

Maram Ismail

The same applies if you want to revert to your original name following separation or divorce or simply due to personal choice. It's a little different. If you married overseas or if you were born overseas but married in Australia, because your documentation might not be recognized in Australia, you may need to apply through BDM. Once your application is processed, you'll no doubt have a long list of organizations that you need to notify. Not to mention a new email address, Elliott says this process takes time.

Elliot Fox

I started with changing my driver's license and then my passport, which I considered two important primary forms of identification. Then gradually I changed my name everywhere else by contacting the relevant businesses or organizations, which was mostly easy, although some banks are problematic and difficult, and I found it easier to simply close an account with my old name and open a new account with my new name.

Maram Ismail

The list also includes Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink, the Australian Electoral Commission, your insurers, your superannuation funds, and you'll need to update your legal will. You'll also need to apply for a new passport and if you have a visa or applying for one, don't forget to notify the Department of Home Affairs of your change of name. Whatever your situation, your local registry of births, deaths, and marriages will guide you through the process. Thank you for listening to this episode of Australia Explained, written and produced by Melissa Compagnoni, hosted, mixed and sound designed by me, Maram Ismail, and Australia Explained managing editor is Roza Germian.

Presenter 2

This was an SBS audio podcast. For more Australia explained stories, visit SBS.com.au/australiaexplained.

Maram Ismail

Subscribe or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia. Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@com.au.

END OF TRANSCRIPT