Change of name certificates

If you have already changed your name with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, you can apply for a new or replacement change of name certificate.

Records we don't hold

We don’t hold records for changes of name completed before April 1996, such as deed polls.

What you need

If you are applying for your own or child’s change of name certificate, you must provide the following: 

  • Three proof of identity documents for yourself.

If you are applying for a certificate on behalf of another person, you must provide the following:

Important: Do not laminate your certificates.  Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by Government agencies.

Order a certificate

Who can apply

You can apply for a change of name certificate if you have changed your name or your child's name, or if you need to replace your certificate.

If your child is now over 18 years, and you applied for the original change of name as a parent, you can apply for a certificate. 

If you are not the person named on the certificate or you did not apply for the original change of name, you must:

Proof of identity

You must provide three current proof of identity documents, one of each from Categories 1, 2, and 3.

  • If you cannot provide proof of identity from Categories 1 and 2, you must still provide at least 3 forms of identity. At least two of these must be from Category 3.
  • If you cannot meet these requirements, apply with what you have and the Registry will be in contact.
CategoryDocuments
1

If born in Australia:

  • Australian birth certificate

Record of immigration status:

  • Citizenship certificate
  • New Zealand citizenship certificate together with passport
  • New Zealand birth certificate
2
  • Australian drivers licence
  • Australian passport
  • Firearms licence
  • Australian visa using a foreign passport
  • Proof of age card
3
  • Medicare card
  • Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
  • Security/Crowd control licence
  • Tertiary education institution ID card
4
  • Recent utility account with current residential address (issued within last three months)

 

How to apply

You can apply for a change of name certificate by:

After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.

Errors on the certificate

If there are errors on the certificate:

  • return the original certificate to us by post
  • provide three proof of identity documents and
  • send us the correct information on the correct an entry form.

Fees and processing times

Certificate request 
Fees include $11 postage and handling
​Standard service $68​Priority service $101
Online applicationUp to 4 weeksUp to 2 weeks
​​Postal applicationUp to 6 weeksUp to 4 weeks
​​Via Service NSWUp to 5 weeksUp to 2 weeks
Fee to send a copy of a 
certificate to a passport office
$49 
Last updated:
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