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:
- Letter of authority giving you permission to apply (PDF 262.1KB), from the person named on the certificate or if deceased, their next of kin. Include their address, phone number and signature;
- Three proof of identity documents from the person giving permission
- Three proof of identity documents for yourself
Important: Do not laminate your certificates. Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by Government agencies.
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:
- complete a Letter of authority giving you permission to apply (PDF 262.1KB), or
- show Power of Attorney relating to the person named on the certificate, or
- be a solicitor acting for the person named on the certificate or require the certificate for a legal purpose - see information for solicitors applying for certificates.
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.
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | If born in Australia:
Record of immigration status:
|
| 2 |
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| 3 |
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| 4 |
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You can apply for a change of name certificate by:
- applying online for a change of name certificate, or
downloading and completing a change of name certificate form, and submitting this with the required identification documents either in-person at your nearest Service NSW Centre or by post to:
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
GPO Box 30
Sydney NSW 2001Note: do not post original identity documents.
After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.
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 application | Up to 4 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| Postal application | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Via Service NSW | Up to 5 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| Fee to send a copy of a certificate to a passport office | $49 |