Legal Change of Name in Australia — BDM Eligibility, Documents, State Differences
Legal changes of name in Australia are registered by each state's BDM. This guide sets out the differences in eligibility, documents, fees, limits on the number of changes and using a spouse's surname after marriage, focusing on NSW, WA, QLD and VIC.
Overview — the state BDM registers legal name changes
In Australia, change of name registration, which changes your name in the official record, is handled by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) that each state and territory has separately. Which state you can apply to, the documents and the fees differ by state, so first check which BDM you need to apply to. The official WA guidance says you are not required to legally change the name you normally use, but recommends official registration for proof of identity and as evidence. This guide covers change of name registration for adults; it does not cover changes to the gender recorded on documents or the effect under your home country's law. A child's change of name has a separate application process, so ask the relevant BDM.
Using a spouse's surname after marriage may not need registration
If you married in Australia, the states we checked (NSW, WA, QLD, VIC, SA) say you can use your spouse's surname with your official marriage certificate, so a separate change of name registration is not needed. However, qualifiers such as 'most' and 'usually' are attached, and QLD and VIC add that, for people born overseas, some organisations may require official change of name documents. If you married overseas, NSW and VIC say a change of name application is needed. For updating your name with each organisation, see the 'Matching names on official documents' guide, and for marriage registration, the 'Getting married in Australia' guide.
Registration — application, assessment, certificate
Change of name registration proceeds in this order: application → assessment of identity and residency documents → registration → issue of the change of name certificate. People born overseas receive a change of name certificate (QLD and VIC guidance), and this certificate is the document linking your previous and new names when you change the name on your licence, passport and bank accounts. NSW, VIC and QLD also set out naming rules under which names that are inappropriate or too long, or that contain symbols or numbers, among others, are not registered.
Fees and refunds — you may not get your money back
Checked November 2026; fees may change every year. For adults, fees are NSW $203 ($70 extra for the certificate), WA $206 (lodgement fee, $60 extra for the certificate), QLD $220 (including 1 certificate), VIC $148.60 (including the certificate) and SA $322 (including the certificate). WA says it keeps the lodgement fee regardless of the outcome of the application, and QLD says there is no refund if the application is refused or cancelled after assessment.
- Identity documents — NSW, WA and QLD require 3 types; VIC and SA require combinations of documents from their lists
- Proof of residence — people born overseas prove their period of residence in the state where they live with documents (NSW 4 documents, WA 2 or more)
- Reason and declaration — a witness signature (QLD, SA); in NSW, declaring any conviction for an offence punishable by 12 months' imprisonment or more, and consent to a police check
Change of name registration links your previous and new names in the official record; it is not a way of clearing past records. NSW obtains consent to a police check and says a conviction does not necessarily block registration. People subject to restrictions, such as those in prison or on parole, need approval from the supervising authority.
Eligibility — which state can you apply to?
Eligibility often depends on place of birth. If you were born in another Australian state, NSW, WA and VIC say to apply to the BDM of your state of birth, and QLD follows the same principle but lets you apply for an exception if you have a good reason and evidence. TAS also lists people born in another state who have lived in TAS for 12 months or more, and the ACT application form lists current ACT residents, as able to apply (as of the first half of 2026). Adults born overseas can apply if they meet the requirements of the state where they live, and the requirements differ by state (checked November 2026). Check the following three points.
- Residency period — adults born overseas: NSW, 3 continuous years immediately before applying; WA, 12 continuous months immediately before applying; QLD, VIC and SA, the most recent 12 months
- Residency status — for people born overseas, WA and SA require citizenship or permanent residence, and VIC requires 'the legal right to live in Australia' (not defined in the original wording)
- Age and number of changes — NSW, WA, QLD and VIC: 18 or over; 1 change per 12 months and 3 in a lifetime (what counts and the exceptions differ by state)
The NSW and QLD guidance and the ACT application form do not state a citizenship or permanent residence requirement, while TAS and NT required citizenship or permanent residence for people born overseas in their first-half 2026 guidance. A requirement not being written down does not guarantee that you can apply, so if your visa or residency period is unclear, ask the relevant BDM before you lodge.
Comparing application requirements by state
This is a summary for adults born overseas (checked November 2026; may change). SA is covered in the eligibility points above, and TAS, ACT and NT (as of the first half of 2026) in the eligibility information above and in the FAQ, so check the relevant BDM for the latest.
You prove continuous NSW residence for the 3 years immediately before applying with 4 documents. You need 3 types of identity documents (including 1 government-issued photo ID), a declaration of any conviction for an offence punishable by 12 months' imprisonment or more, and consent to a police check. Registration fee $203 ($233 for priority), certificate $70 extra, online up to 5 weeks (security checks of up to 10 business days extra).
People born overseas must be citizens or permanent residents who have lived continuously in WA for the 12 months immediately before applying, and must provide 2 or more pieces of proof of residence. The $206 lodgement fee is kept regardless of the outcome, and the certificate costs an extra $60. The BDM400 form is accepted by post or by visiting the Perth registry; email and fax are not accepted.
This applies to adults born overseas who live in QLD and have spent the past 12 months in QLD; if you have not met this, you can apply for an exception with a reason and evidence, but the application is cancelled if the exception is not approved. Submit the 3 types of identity documents (including proof of your current address) as certified copies, and documents not in English with a NAATI translation. $220 (including 1 certificate); lodged by post or booked visit.
For adults born overseas who have lived in VIC for the past 12 months or more and have a legal right to reside in Australia; a foreign passport linked to a valid Australian visa is also accepted as an identity document. Submit certified copies. $148.60 (including the certificate); processing takes up to 42 days. Changing two or more parts of your name, such as given name and surname, requires a credit report (confirmation of no credit history is also accepted).
Preparation and lodgement tips
First-time applicants easily overlook these preparation steps. Some states do not refund the lodgement fee, so check before you lodge.
- Decide the state first. Check the state-of-birth principle (NSW, WA, VIC), the QLD exception, applications by residents in TAS and the ACT, and the state-of-residence requirements for people born overseas.
- Gather proof of residence in advance. NSW requires one document each from 3 years ago, 2 years ago, 1 year ago and the last 3 months, 4 in total.
- Arrange certified copies and translations. QLD, VIC and SA require certified copies. See the 'JP certification & certified copies' and 'NAATI certified translation and interpreting' guides.
- Check your change of name certificate order. NSW says people born overseas need the certificate when changing their name with other organisations, and you can also apply for it separately after registration.
- List the organisations where you will change your name. NSW says the certificate is delivered addressed to your previous name, so you may need your existing ID to collect it.
Common mistakes and misunderstandings
The mistakes below can lead to losing a non-refundable lodgement fee or having to apply again.
- Lodging without checking your place of birth or residency period. WA keeps the lodgement fee regardless of the outcome, and QLD also says there is no refund if the application is refused or cancelled after assessment.
- Assuming one rule for using a spouse's surname after marriage. For a marriage in Australia, a marriage certificate is generally enough, but some organisations may require change of name documents, and for a marriage overseas NSW and VIC advise applying.
- Sending a commemorative certificate or originals. NSW and VIC say an official marriage certificate is needed, not a commemorative certificate, and QLD and VIC say not to post original ID documents.
- Overlooking the limit on the number of changes. The states we checked limit changes to 1 per 12 months and 3 in a lifetime, and what counts differs. QLD does not count changes made before age 18 and the like, and accepts exception applications.
- Thinking registration is the end of it. After registration you must still change your name with each organisation yourself, such as your licence, passport and bank, using the change of name certificate as the basis.
Useful official links
- NSW Government — Change of name(opens in a new window)
NSW: adult change of name eligibility (3 years' residence if born overseas), documents, fees, processing times
- Government of Western Australia — Changing your name(opens in a new window)
WA: adult change of name conditions (citizenship or permanent residence, 12 months' residence), document list, lodgement fee
- Queensland Government — Change your name(opens in a new window)
QLD: who can register a change of name, how to submit (post or booked visit), fees, processing times
- Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria — Change your name (adult born overseas)(opens in a new window)
VIC: registering a change of name for adults born overseas — document list, proof of residence, fees
- Department of Home Affairs — Changes in your situation(opens in a new window)
Official page explaining how visa holders tell Home Affairs when personal details such as their passport or contact details change (immigration procedure)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply to legally change my name in Australia?▾
You register a change of name with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) of the relevant state or territory. The NSW, WA and VIC guidance says that if you were born in another Australian state, you should apply to your state of birth; QLD follows the same principle but has a route to apply for an exception. As of the first half of 2026, TAS also lists people born in another state who have lived in TAS for 12 months or more, and the ACT application form lists current ACT residents, as able to apply. If you were born overseas, you apply in the state where you now live if you meet its requirements, such as the residency period. If the requirements are unclear, ask the relevant BDM before you lodge.
How long must an adult born overseas have lived in the state?▾
It differs by state (checked November 2026). The guidance says: NSW, residence for the 3 continuous years immediately before applying (4 pieces of evidence); WA, continuous residence for the 12 months immediately before; QLD, current residence and residence for the past 12 months; VIC and SA, at least the most recent 12 months. In QLD, if you have not completed 12 continuous months, you can apply for an exception with a good reason and evidence, but the application is cancelled if the exception is not approved. As of the first half of 2026, TAS and NT state 12 months or more (continuous in NT), and the ACT application form mentions only proof of residence, so check the relevant BDM for the latest.
Can I register a change of name on a temporary visa (student, working holiday etc.)?▾
Requirements differ by state, so there is no single answer. WA and SA require people born overseas to be citizens or permanent residents, and as of the first half of 2026 TAS and NT list the same requirement. VIC lists 'the legal right to live in Australia' as a requirement but does not define whether a temporary visa counts. The NSW and QLD guidance and the ACT application form do not state a status requirement, but other requirements, such as the residency period, apply. Check with the relevant BDM before paying a lodgement fee that may not be refundable.
Do I need to register a name change to take my spouse's surname after marriage?▾
If you married in Australia, the states we checked say you can use your spouse's surname with your official marriage certificate (NSW qualifies this with 'most government departments' and WA with 'usually'). For people born overseas, QLD and VIC add that some organisations may require official change of name documents. If you married overseas, NSW and VIC say you need to apply for a change of name; QLD and WA say some organisations may require official change of name documents; and SA says to check with the organisation about the evidence it needs. First ask the organisation where you will change your name what documents it requires.
How much does registration cost, and is it refunded if refused?▾
As checked in November 2026, adult fees are NSW $203 ($70 extra for the certificate), WA $206 ($60 extra for the certificate), QLD $220, VIC $148.60 and SA $322. NSW says that if an application is refused, only the certificate cost may be refunded, but it may consider refunding the application fee for a good-faith application that could not meet the requirements. WA keeps the lodgement fee regardless of the outcome, and QLD says there is no refund if the application is refused or cancelled after assessment. VIC does not refund as a rule, but returns the certificate portion if the application is refused or closed, and if you are in financial hardship you can apply for a fee waiver within 4 weeks of paying. Amounts change every year.
What is the change of name certificate for, and how do I update passport and visa details?▾
The change of name certificate is used as evidence linking your previous and new names with your licence, passport, bank and so on. For an Australian passport, see the 'Australian passport application' guide, and for linking your visa details, the 'Lost or renewed passport: linking your visa' guide. For the effect of a change of name on your visa record, see the Home Affairs guidance, and for its effect under your home country's law, check with your home country's embassy or consulate.
What if I need to change my name again within 12 months, or need a 4th change?▾
The states we checked set a limit of 1 change every 12 months and 3 in a lifetime, and what counts towards the limit differs. NSW considers a 4th change of name as an exception in some circumstances, such as evidence that you are at risk of harm from domestic violence. QLD lets you apply for an exception, with evidence and a separate form, for another change within 12 months or for more than 3 changes, and does not count changes made before 24 June 2024. VIC asks you to prove that you have used your current name for 12 months or more. WA and SA do not mention exceptions, so ask the BDM.