How to legally change your name in the ACT
Last updated 4 February 2021
Last updated 4 February 2021
This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in the Australian Capital Territory
This fact sheet answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about changing their name.
It includes:
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.
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.
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 Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (which is the government agency responsible for issuing and regulating birth certificates).
In the ACT, this is Access Canberra.
Yes.
Young people over the age of 18 can make an application directly whereas if you are under 18 years of age, your parents or guardians will need to make the application on your behalf.
If you are under 18, you will need to ask your parents or guardian/s to make the application.
As a young person under 18 years old, you can change your name on your birth certificate through an application made by your parents or guardians (it’s not possible for you to make an application to change your name by yourself until you are over 18 years old).
The application must be submitted in the state/territory that you were born in, or the one where you have lived for the most part.
If your parents are separated, one parent cannot change a child’s name unless they have received consent from the other parent, obtained a relevant court order approving the name change or sole parental responsibility has been granted to that parent by a court.
Most trans and gender diverse young people will not have to go to the Family Court to apply for access to Stage 2 (hormone) or Stage 3 (surgical) treatment, where their parents and doctors agree the treatment is appropriate.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to go to court to apply for access to Stage 2 or Stage 3 treatment, then it is possible to change your name on these applications and seek an order at the same time requiring Access Canberra to give effect to that name change order.
OR
You can apply by filling out the change of name application form, attaching the necessary supporting documents (e.g. proof of identity), and paying the required fee. You might be able to apply to have the fee waived or reduced. For a link to the form and details of costs, see ‘Where to Get Help and Information’.
If you are under 18 years old, both parents and/or guardians must fill out the application form unless:
If you are aged 14 or over, you also need to sign the form to consent to the name change.
You will need to provide an updated birth certificate that has your new name, change-of-name certificate, or citizenship certificate, to the agency that looks after the document or record that you want to change.
This means you will need to have first successfully applied to Access Canberra (or a legalised foreign equivalent) to change your name.
You can access the Change of Name Application form through Access Canberra.
Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children. To access their resources or make an enquiry, visit the PGDC website.
A Gender Agenda provides information and an online community for gender-diverse people in the ACT. Information on support groups that you can connect with is also available via the A Gender Agenda website.
Twenty 10 provides a range of support services and social spaces for people of diverse genders and sexualities aged under 26, mainly in NSW but they also service ACT. To access their resources visit the Twenty 10 website.
You might be eligible for free legal help from our lawyers. Making an online application is the quickest and best way to apply for free legal help.
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This resource was last updated on 04 February 2021. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Please view our disclaimer for more information.