How to legally change your name in the Northern Territory

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 Northern Territory (NT). 

What steps are involved with making a change?

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

Applying to change your name on formal documents is different depending on whether the document you want to change is issued by a: 

1. state or territory government organisation
   OR 
2.  federal government organisation  

Am I eligible to change my name in the NT? 

• You must have been born in the NT 
  OR 
• If you were born outside of Australia, you must have been a resident in the NT for at least 12 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 that you may only change your name once in a 12-month period.  

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 the NT, this is the NT Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. 

Does Age Matter?

Yes. Young people 18 years or older can make an application directly. 

If you are under 18 years of age, your parent(s) or guardian(s) will need to make the application on your behalf. 

One parent cannot change a child’s name unless: 

• there is only one parent named on your birth certificate 
  OR 
• the other parent is deceased and no other person has legal responsibility 
  OR 
• a court order is issued to allow one parent to change your name. 

Guardians can change a child’s name if one or both parents: 

• are deceased 
  OR 
• cannot be found 
  OR 
• cannot exercise their parental responsibility. 

If you are 14 to 17 years of age, generally your consent to the application will be needed. 

How do I change my name on federal government documents? 

To change your name on federal government doTo change your name on federal gTo change your name on federal 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 NT 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).