You can change your legal name in Queensland once every 12 months if you are 18 or older, were born overseas and have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months (and currently live here).
You don’t usually need to apply to change your name if you are changing it after marriage, separation or divorce. Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need and how you tell them, so you should contact them directly.
If you live in another Australian state or territory, you need to apply to the interstate registry office.
If your application is approved, we will send you the official certificate and you will need to change your name with every organisation you have a personal account with.
You must book an appointment for each change of name application you are submitting to us.
Change of name certificate
Change of name certificates only provide some birth information, the new name and any previous change of name registered in Queensland by us—not including a change of name through marriage. They are not proof of birth details.
The application fee includes 1 free certificate. You have to pay for additional certificates.
states how long the person or organisation has known you
evidence explaining why if your current name is different to the name on your birth certificate, such as
marriage certificate
family deed poll document
change of name document
a copy of your Australian citizenship certificate if you are a citizen.
If you can’t provide a birth certificate, we may accept one of these (showing your birth name), you must provide either:
a travel document
a passport issued by your country of birth with a letter from the consulate confirming your details
and
a statutory declaration that
explains why your birth certificate isn't available
includes your name at birth
includes your date and place of birth.
If any of the original documents are not in English, you must have them translated into English by an accredited translator and provide a certified copy of the original document with the original translation.
If you are in the custody of Corrective Services, you must get written approval from the Chief Executive of Corrective Services or the Police Commissioner before applying to change your name. Failing to do so is a criminal offence.
How to apply
To apply to change your name, you need to:
Read and understand the rules above.
Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
Review your details.
Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
Post your completed application form with your certified documents and payment (if you didn't pay online) to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages PO Box 15188 CITY EAST QLD 4002
We will begin to process your application when we receive it along with your documents.
Submit in person by requesting an appointment
To submit your completed application form in person, you need to book a 15-minute appointment with a registry officer.
This online service allows you to choose the date and time of your appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
To book your appointment, you will be asked for your name, email and mobile number, and you will get an email confirming your appointment. The email will also allow you to easily reschedule or cancel your booking, if necessary.
Privacy notice
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your appointment booking online and for contacting you in relation to your appointment. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled according to with the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009.
(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
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Our processing timeframes apply to correctly filled out applications that have been submitted with all the required proof of ID and supporting documents (as required).
They apply once we receive applications by post.
If an urgent application does not comply, and we have to ask for more information or documentation, you can be assured it has already been reviewed before others. When your application becomes compliant, we will continue to be process it urgently.
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver your certificate to your address.
Pay the fee
When applying, the total cost is calculated as you fill in the application form online.
You can pay:
online
by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
at the customer service centre
by EFTPOS or credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
through the mail
within Australia
by credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
from overseas
by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
Item
Cost
Change of name (includes 1 official change of name certificate)
$205.90
Additional official change of name certificate
$54.40
Urgent application
$108.10
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
Item
Cost
Express post
$7.45
Registered post
$5.55
International registered mail
$17.70
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
The fee you pay is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.
You will lose the fee paid if we refuse your application or you cancel it after we have started to review it.
When applying by post, you must have your supporting documents certified by a qualified Justice of the Peace or another authorised person before you post them to us.
If you can’t speak and understand English, you may bring an interpreter to your appointment.
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If you can't complete the application form online, you can use the PDF application form and submit by post or in person by requesting an appointment with us.
