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Changing your family name through marriage

Many people choose to use their spouse’s family name once they are married—it’s a custom and not the law.

If you were married in Australia, you generally don't need to apply formally for a change of name with us. Usually personal documentation, such as your driver licence and passport, can be changed to your married name when you provide a standard marriage certificate (not the certificate issued by your celebrant at your wedding ceremony).

Apply for a standard marriage certificate if you need a certificate from us.

Find out what you need to do

Answer these questions to find out what may be required.

  1. Were you born or adopted in Australia? *

  2. Born overseas

    Before applying to formally change your name with us, talk to the organisations you want to update your details with about the documents they will accept.

    If you were born overseas (and married in Australia), you may need to apply to change your name with us. This is because some organisations may not accept overseas documents as official proof of identity.

    You will still be  able to change to your married name.

  3. Where did you get married? *

  4. Queensland marriages

    If you got married in Queensland, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about what documents they will accept.

  5. Overseas marriages

    If you were married overseas, you may need to apply to change your name in Queensland. This is because some organisations may not accept an overseas marriage certificate as an official identification document.

    Before applying to formally change your name with us, talk to the organisations you want to update your details with about the documents they will accept.

    This does not mean that your overseas marriage is not legal or that you have to get married in Australia. Your overseas marriage cannot be registered in Australia if it was conducted according to laws of another country and is registered overseas.

  6. Which state or territory did you get married? *

  7. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in the Australian Capital Territory, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the Australian Capital Territory registry office.

  8. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in New South Wales, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the New South Wales registry office.

  9. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in the Northern Territory, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the Northern Territory registry office.

  10. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in South Australia, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the South Australian registry office.

  11. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in Tasmania, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the Tasmanian registry office.

  12. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in Victoria, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the Victorian registry office.

  13. Interstate marriages

    If you got married in Western Australia, you may use your standard marriage certificate as an official proof of identity document when telling organisations about your new family name.

    You will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to talk to them about the documents they will accept.

    Apply for a standard marriage certificate, if you need a certificate from the Western Australian registry office.

How to change your name through marriage

If you choose to change your family name when you get married, you’ll need to tell various government agencies, banks, utility suppliers and other businesses your new married name.

You may be asked to:

  • send a letter or email
  • complete a change request form (online or one they send out to you)
  • visit an office in person.

Organisations will also have different requirements on what proof they need, some may want:

  • to see your standard marriage certificate
  • a certified photocopy of your standard marriage certificate for your account file with them
  • evidence of updated photo ID
  • a combination of identity documents.

Contact us

Email: bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au, we reply to online enquiries within 2 business days.

Local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3022 0001 (+10 hours UTC)

(Phone lines open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

Last updated:
1 May 2019