How to legally change your name in Victoria

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 Victoria. 

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. 

Am I eligible to change my name in VIC? 

• You need to have been born in Victoria 
  OR 
• If born overseas, have lived in Victoria for most of the time in the 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 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 Victoria, this is Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria.  

Does Age Matter?

Yes. 

Young people 18 years and 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 to make the application, unless you have a guardian who has parental responsibility. 

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). 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: 

• they are the only parent on the child’s birth certificate 
  OR 
• the other parent has passed away 
  OR 
• they have obtained a 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 might be able to apply to have the fee waived or reduced. For example, if you submit a change of record of sex application together with a change of name application, you will be eligible for a waiver of the change of name application fee. 

For a link to the form and details of costs, see the ‘Where to get help and more information’ section below. 

As to who fills out the application, 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 
• change-of-name certificate 
  OR 
• 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 Victorian 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 below).