How to legally change your name in the ACT

Can I legally change my name? 

Yes, but there are requirements you need to meet. 

By reading this resource we hope you will get a better understanding of what’s involved with legally changing your name in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 

What steps are involved with making a change?

You must meet certain requirements to legally change your name in the ACT. 

The steps for applying to change your name on formal documents differs depending on whether the document you would like to change is issued by: 

1. a state or territory government organisation 

OR 

2. a federal government organisation 

See how you can change key documents below.  

Am I eligible to change my name in the ACT? 

• You need to have been born in the ACT 
  OR 
• You need to live in the ACT, and have lived in the ACT for 3 months before making the application. 

Otherwise, if you were born in Australia in another state or territory, you should apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in that state or territory. 

Please note you may only apply to change your name once in a 12-month period in the ACT. 

How to change the name on my birth certificate 

Birth certificates are issued and regulated at a state and territory level. This means that the approach to changing the recorded name on your birth certificate will depend on the process used by that state or territory’s  agency responsible for issuing and regulating birth certificates. 

In the ACT, the responsible government agency is Access Canberra.  

Does Age Matter?

Yes. 

If you are 18+ 

Young people 18 years or older can make an application directly to change their entire name. 

If you are under 18 

Young people between 12 and 17 can apply to change their first and middle names without their parents’ support. If you are aged between 14 and 17, you can apply directly, and if you are aged between 12 and 13 you will need permission from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. If you are aged 14 or over, you also need to sign the form to consent to the name change.   

Young people under the age of 12 will need support from one parent and permission from the Tribunal to change their first and middle names.  

If you want to change your last name, your parents or guardians will need to make the application on your behalf (it’s not possible for you to make an application to change your last name by yourself until you are 18 years or older). If you have a guardian who has parental responsibility, they will need to fill out the application form.   

One parent cannot change a child’s last name unless: 

• only one parent is named on your birth certificate 
  OR 
• the other parent has passed away 
  OR 
• there is only a sole parent named on your birth certificate 
  OR 
• the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the ACT Supreme Court or another Australian court or tribunal, has made an order approving the proposed name change on application by one parent 

What is the application? 

You can apply by filling out the change of name application form, and attaching the necessary supporting documents (e.g. proof of identity). The supporting documents you must provide for your application will be different depending on whether you were born in the ACT or born outside the ACT.  

If you are over 18, you must also pay the required fee. You might be able to apply to have the fee waived or reduced. To find out which fee will be payable for your application, view the Access Canberra website. There will be no fee if you are under 18.  

For a link to the form and details of costs, see Where to Get Help and Information’.  

See Does Age Matter? above regarding who needs to fill out the application form. 

How do I change my name on federal government documents? 

To change your name on federal government doTo change your name on federal government documents like your passport, and Services Australia records (including Centrelink or Medicare), you will need: 

• a reissued birth certificate that has your new name 

• a change-of-name certificate 

• a reissued citizenship certificate that has your new name 

You will need to provide these documents to the agency that looks after the relevant document or record you want to change.  

For your Passport, the relevant agency is the Australian Passport Office.  

For Services Australia records, you may need to update your name with each service individually. For example, updating your name with Medicare may not automatically update your name with Centrelink or the Australian Taxation Office. 

This means you will need to have first successfully changed your name by applying to Access Canberra (or a legalised foreign equivalent).  

If you have changed your name while overseas, the requirements may vary. You can find more information on the websites for the Australian Passport Office, Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office or Centrelink (see links below).