How to legally change your name in New South Wales

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 New South Wales (NSW). 

What steps are involved with making a change?

The The steps for applying to change your name on formal documents offers 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 NSW?

• You need to have been born in NSW 
  OR 
• If born overseas, you need to have lived in NSW for at least three years in a row before making the application 
  OR
• If your birth is not registered in NSW but a protection order has been made to protect you and/or family members from domestic violence, you may be eligible 

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 that you may only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime.  

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 government agency responsible for issuing and regulating birth certificates.   

In NSW, this is the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.  

Does Age Matter?

Yes. 

Young people over 18 years or older 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 a guardian who has parental responsibility, 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 18 years or older).  

If you are over the age of 12, you will also be required to complete a consent form with the application.    

One parent cannot change a child’s name unless: 

• there is only one parent named on your birth certificate 
  OR 
• they have sole parental responsibility granted to that parent by a court 
  OR 
• the other parent has passed away  
  OR 
• they have obtained a relevant court order approving the name change 

What is the application? 

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 may 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, both parents must fill out the form unless an exception applies – see Does age matter? above. 

How do I change my name on federal government documents? 

To 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 
  OR 
• a change-of-name certificate] 
  OR 
• 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 the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (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).