How to legally change your name in Victoria
Last updated 26 March 2021
Last updated 26 March 2021
This is a resource for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in Victoria.
It answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about changing their name.
It includes:
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.
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.
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 Victoria, this is Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
You can only change your name once in a 12 month period, and three times in your life time.
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 making the 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 court order approving the name change, or sole parental responsibility has been granted to that parent by a court or any other law.
Most trans and gender diverse young people will not have to go to the Family Court 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 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 Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria to give effect to that name change order.
OR
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. 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.
If you are under 18, both parents must fill out the form unless:
If you have a guardian who has parental responsibility, they need to fill out the application.
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 Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or a legalised foreign equivalent) to change your name.
You can access the Change of Name Application form at Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
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.
Transgender Victoria educates organisations and workplaces on how to provide better services for trans and gender diverse people, and seeks ways to provide direct services to the transgender community.
Minus18 is Australia’s largest LGBTI youth community organisation. Minus18 create safe events, resources and volunteer opportunities for the LGBTI youth.
Drummond Street Services provides social support, counselling, and other community services for LGBTIQ people.
Switchboard Victoria is a peer-led confidential counselling and support services for LGBTIQ people in Victoria.
You might be eligible for free legal help from our lawyers. Making an online application is the quickest and best way to apply for free legal help.
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This resource was last updated on 26 March 2021. 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.