How to legally change your name in New South Wales

What is this resource?

This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in New South Wales.

This fact sheet answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about changing their name.

It includes:

• changing your name on your birth certificate
• changing your name on federal documents, like passports, or Centrelink and Medicare records

Can you change your gender status on formal documents?

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.

What steps are involved with making a change?

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.

How to change the name on your 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 Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (which is the 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 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 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).

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 order approving the name change, or sole parental responsibility has been granted to that parent by a court or any other law.

To be eligible to change your name in NSW, you need to:

• Have been born in NSW

OR

• If born overseas, have lived in the state for at least three years in a row before making the application

How can you, or your parent or guardian, apply?

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, both parents must fill out the form unless:

• There is only one parent named on your birth certificate
• The other parent has passed away, or
• The Family Court, or another Australian court or tribunal, has made an order approving the proposed name change on application by one parent.

If you have a guardian who has parental responsibility, they will need to fill out the application.

How to change your name on federal government documents, such as your passport, and Medicare or Centrelink records

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 relevant document or record that you want to change.

This means you will need to have first successfully applied to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or a legalised foreign equivalent) to change your name.

Where to get help and more information

• Access the Change of Name application form.

• 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 their website.

• The ICLC Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service provides legal information, advice and assistance with documentation around changing names. To make an appointment, call (02) 9332 1966 or visit their website for more information.

• The Gender Centre offers a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends in New South Wales.

• Twenty 10 provides a range of support services and social spaces for people of diverse genders and sexualities aged under 26 in NSW and some parts of the ACT.

• You can find out more information on how to change your name in your passport.  

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