How to legally change your name in the Northern Territory
Last updated 21 November 2024
Last updated 21 November 2024
This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in the NT.
We answer some common questions about changing your name on formal documents, such as your:
birth certificate
federal documents: passport, Centrelink and Medicare records
You must meet certain requirements to legally change your name in the Northern Territory (NT).
Applying to change your name on formal documents is different depending on whether the document you want to change is issued by a:
State or territory government organisation; or
Federal government organisation.
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. These are government agencies responsible for issuing and regulating birth certificates.
Please note that you may only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime. There are exceptions but they are subject to the Registrar’s personal approval.
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 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 immediately before your application.
If your parents are separated, one parent cannot change a child’s name unless they have:
received consent from the other parent, or
obtained a relevant order approving the name change, or
been granted sole parental responsibility by a court order.
Most trans and gender diverse young people will not have to go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia 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 the 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 the Registrar from the NT Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages to give effect to the name change.
To be eligible to change your name in NT, you need to:
Have been born in NT; or
If born overseas, have lived in the territory for at least 12 months prior to making the application.
If you were born in Australia in another state or territory, you must apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in that state or territory.
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.
If you are under 18 both parents must fill out the application form unless:
There is only a sole parent named on your birth certificate,
The other parent has passed away, or
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, 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 form.
To change your name on federal documents like your passport, and Centrelink or Medicare records, you’ll need:
an updated birth certificate that has your new name, or
a change-of-name certificate, or
a 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 changed your name by applying to the NT Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or a legalised foreign equivalent).
Changing your name:
The Northern Territory Government provide the Change of Name Application form online.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website has information about changing your name on your passport.
The Medicare website has more information about changing your name.
The Australian Taxation Office website has more information about how to change your name.
Support:
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.
OUT in NT Community Connection is a website that aims to connect the community to information, resources and each other.
This resource was last updated on 21 November 2024. 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.