Changing your name
If you were born in Queensland or born overseas and have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months, you can apply to change your name.
If you were born in another state, you need to apply to the registering authority interstate or overseas.
One free birth or ‘change of name’ certificate is provided with your application. You will need to use this certificate to update your:
- driver licence
- passport
- bank account.
Change of name certificates can take up to 15 business days—or 5 business days for urgent applications.
Child’s name
You can change your child’s name if they were born or adopted in Queensland.
If your child was born or adopted in another state, you need to apply to the registering authority interstate or overseas.
You can change your child’s given name once between the ages of 1 and 18.
If your child is younger than 1 year old, you can register 1 change of given name before their first birthday.
Marriage
When you get married, you can take your partner’s family name; this is a custom and not a law.
Your marriage certificate from the registry can be used as official identity evidence to change your family name on other official documents.
The wedding certificate your celebrant or minister of religion gave you is not an official identity document, and may not meet the proof of identity requirements of government agencies or banks.
How to change a name
18+
To apply for a change of name, you need to:
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Read the 18+ guidelines .
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Fill in all sections of the 18+ application form , including a detailed reason for the change.
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Include proof of eligibility (if required).
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Attach proof of identity documents.
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Pay the application fee.
-
Pay the urgent fee (if required).
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Pay the return postage fee (if required).
Child
To apply for a child name change, you need to:
- Read the child guidelines (page 7–8 of the form).
- Fill in all sections of the child application form .
- Include proof of eligibility.
- Include any parents’ previous name change documents.
- Attach proof of identity documents for each parent.
- Prepare a child born overseas letter (if required).
- Pay the application fee.
- Pay the urgent fee (if required).
- Pay the return postage fee (if required).
Register note
To make a note of your name change on your birth registration, you need to:
- Fill in all sections of the register note form .
- Attach proof of identity documents.
- Include proof of eligibility.
- Pay the application fee.
Get it right
Your application will take longer if your documents and payments are not correct.
Remember to:
- calculate the return postage
- total all fees in 1 payment
- check your credit card details and expiry date
- certify identity documents
- include eligibility documents
- allow extra time for Australia Post.
By post
Post your application to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Change of name (includes 1 birth or change of name certificate) | $150 |
| Child—change first name (before 1 year old) | $18 |
| Note change of name—birth registry | $31 |
| Urgent application (additional fee) | $79 |
Payment methods
Pay by cash, cheque (personal not accepted), credit card (Visa and MasterCard) or money order. Make cheques or money orders payable to the ‘Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages’.
Postage fee
Postage is included when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can request to have your certificate posted by express or register post. The cost is:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $5.25 |
| Registered mail | $3.90 |
| Air mail | $2.35 |
| International registered post | $13.20 |
| International express post | $14.05 |
| International Air Mail for commemorative certificates | $7.75 |
Proof of eligibility
You can apply to change your own name or on behalf of another person.
Learn how to be eligible to apply to get another person’s name changed .
Previous name change
Include copies of original documents with your application if you have changed your name since birth. These documents include:
- deed poll evidence
- assumed name evidence
- marriage certificate
- divorce certificate
- change of name certificate.
If you are posting your application, remember to send a certified copy of your evidence or certificate.
18+ born overseas
Include a letter that must:
- be written, dated and signed by 1 of the below
- a educational institution (e.g. university)
- an employer
- a doctor
- the Australian Electoral Commission
- a person approved by the Registrar-General
- state how long you have lived Queensland
- confirm how long this person or organisation has known you.
Child born overseas
Include a letter that must:
- be written, dated and signed by the child’s
- school
- employer
- day-care
- doctor
- a person approved by the Registrar-General
- state how long your child has lived in Queensland
- confirm how long the person or organisation has known your child.
Proof of ID (identification)
The ID you provide must be current and include a photo and signature. It must show your current address.
You must provide at least 1 form of ID from each category below, or, provide 2 forms of ID from community and 1 from home address evidence category below which includes a signature.
Types of ID (categories)
Personal ID
- Driver licence
- Australian passport
- Overseas passport
- Firearms licence
- Defence force or police identification card
- Proof of Age card
Community ID
- Medicare card
- Debit or credit card
- Entitlement card from the federal or state government
- Student card or statement of enrolment
- School or other educational report from the last 12 months
- Identity document from a passport office
- Naturalisation, citizenship or immigration papers
- Full birth certificate
- Security guard licence
Home address evidence
- Gas, electricity, home phone, car registration or rates account
- Financial institution statement
- Rent or lease agreement
- Driver licence renewal notice
- Official government letter not from this agency
Certified and translated identity documents
Certify identity documents with a:
- justice of the peace
- commissioner for declarations
- barrister or solicitor
- notary public.
For documents not in English, you must provide a translation from a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NATTI).
For more information
You can ask Births, Deaths and Marriages about your birth certificate application.
Online
Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au. Online enquiries will be responded to within 2 business days.
By phone
Call 1300 366 430 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm).
