How to legally change your name in Tasmania

What is this resource?

This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in Tasmania.

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 legally change your 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 Tasmania.

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 bird 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 Tasmania, Births, Deaths & Marriages is the Tasmanian Government organisation that oversees changing of names.

Does age matter?

Yes.

Young people over the age of 16 can make an application directly, whereas if you are under 16 years of age, your parents or guardians will need to make the application on your behalf. If you are over 12 years of age and your parents or guardians are applying to change your name on your behalf, they will need your consent to do so.

If you are under 16, you will need to ask your parents or guardians to make the application

As a young person under 16 years old, you can change your name on your birth certificate through an application made by your parents or guardians (it is not possible to make an application to change your name by yourself until you are over 16 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 the application is made.

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

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

You will be entitled to register a change of name through Births, Deaths & Marriages if you were:

1. born in Tasmania,

2. born interstate and have lived in Tasmania for more than 12 months,

3. born overseas, but are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have lived in Tasmania for more than 12 months, and

4. are at least 16 years of age

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 through Births, Deaths & Marriages. This is the same process for requesting to register gender.  

To find the form, see ‘Where to Get Help and Information’ below.

If you are between 12-16 years old, then your parents or guardians are required to provide a signed consent form from you demonstrating that you consent to the application they are making to change your name.  

If you are under 16, both parents must fill out the form unless:

• There is only a sole parent named on your birth certificate

• The other parent has passed away

• The Federal Circuit and  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 form. 

There are fees associated with applying to change your name.

If you need a replacement change of name certificate you can apply for one through Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Other Tasmanian Government documents

Once you have your change of name certificate, you can change other government documents, accounts and licences, such as your drivers’ licence, into your new name.

For government documents, such as your drivers’ licence, you will need to complete an application form, send in any required evidence of your change of name (i.e., your change of name certificate) and pay the fee. 

All other independent companies (i.e., telecommunications providers and banks) will have their own processes for changing personal details and we recommend you speak with them directly about their requirements.

How to change your name on federal government documents, such as your passport, and on records with Services Australia

You will need to provide an updated birth certificate that has your new name, or 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 that you will need to have first successfully applied to the Tasmanian Births, Deaths & Marriages (or a legalised foreign equivalent) to change your name. 

Where to get help and more information

• You can access the Change of Name Application forms for children under 16 and adults 16 years or over on the Tasmanian Government website at: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/bdm/forms#ChangeofName

• You can find our more information on how to change your name in your passport at: https://www.passports.gov.au/getting-passport-how-it-works/documents-you-need/names-and-name-change

• For information on how to change your name with Medicare you can go here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-you-update-your-name-date-birth-or-gender-for-medicare?context=60092#a2

• For information on how to change your name with the Australian Tax Office, please refer to their website which can be found here: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Update-your-TFN-registration-details/Update-your-name/

• 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 at: https://www.pgdc.org.au

• Working it Out is a Tasmania-based gender and sexuality support and education service. It provides direct support, including free and confidential counselling, support groups, education programs and workplace training. To access their services visit: http://www.workingitout.org.au/

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