Apply for a change of name for an adult online
The quickest way to apply for a change of name is online.
You can apply to change your name if you are over the age of 18 and:
- your birth is registered in NSW, or
- you were born overseas and have been a resident in NSW for 3 consecutive years when you apply, or
- your birth is not registered in NSW and a protection order has been made to protect you and/or your children from domestic violence
- you can provide proof of identity and residency
- you can disclose any criminal records.
Are you changing your surname after marriage in Australia?
If 'Yes', you do not need to use this form, instead visit our Change your surname after marriage page.
If 'No', please proceed to the online form.
Change the name of a person aged 14-17 years
To register a change of name for your child (aged between 14 and 17 years old) both parents must complete the application.
One parent can apply alone if:
- they are the only parent named on the child’s birth certificate, or
- they have sole parental responsibility under a final parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth to make decisions about:
- major long-term issues within the meaning of the Family Law Act, or
- the child's name, or
- the other parent is deceased, or
- a court has specifically approved the new name for the child.
Change the name of a child 13 years and younger
To register a change of name for your child (aged 13 years and under) both parents must complete the application.
One parent can apply alone if:
- they are the only parent named on the child’s birth certificate, or
- they have sole parental responsibility under a final parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth to make decisions about:
- major long-term issues within the meaning of the Family Law Act, or
- the child's name, or
- the other parent is deceased, or
- a court has specifically approved the new name for the child.
Currently the only way to apply for a change of name for a child 13 years and under is either through a Service NSW service centre or by post using the below form:
Application to register a change of name for a child (aged 13 and under)
Other ways to apply for a change of name
Apply by post
Download and complete either:
- Application to register a change of name for an adult (PDF 755.52KB), or
- Application to register a change of name for a child (under 18) (PDF 1.95MB) (PDF 283.5KB)
You must enclose copies of your identity documents.
After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.
Apply in person
Download and complete one of the below forms:
- Application to register a change of name for an adult (PDF 755.52KB), or
- Application to register a change of name for a child (under 18) (PDF 1.95MB) (PDF 283.5KB)
Bring your original identity documents with you to a Service NSW Centre.
After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.
Returning original certificates
You must return all of your original certificates with your application including any:
- NSW birth certificates and extracts, and
- NSW change of name certificates and extracts.
Proof of identity
The Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages will need to verify your identity before processing the change of name application.
Please refer to the relevant application form for Proof of Identity requirements.
Fees and processing times
| Registration of change of name for an adult | Standard service $195 | Priority service $224 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration of a change of name for a person ages 14 to 17 years (registration only) | Standard service $195 | Priority service $224 |
| Registration of a change of name for a child ages 13 years and under (registration only) | Standard service $155 | Priority service $184 |
| Birth or change of name certificate at time of registration Fees include $11 postage and handling* | Standard service $68 | Priority service $101 |
| Online application | Up to 5 weeks | Up to 3 weeks |
| Postal application | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Via Service NSW | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
*Add a further $9 for international post.
Common questions about changing your name
The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (NSW) restricts certain classes of persons from changing their name without the permission of a supervising authority. It also restricts people from making a change of name on behalf of a restricted person.
A restricted person is:
- an inmate
- a person on remand
- a parolee
- a periodic detainee
- a person who is subject to a supervision order
- a forensic patient
- correctional patient, or
- a person subject to some form of supervision or conditional release concerned in connection with the commission, and
- a person on a reintegration home detention order.
You must obtain permission from the relevant authority to apply for a change of name if you are under the supervision of the:
- Commissioner of Corrective Services
- Mental Health Review Tribunal, or
- NSW Police Commissioner.
Making an application without approval is an offence under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.
Exemptions
If you are a restricted person, you may be able to apply to change your name if you meet any of the following requirements for exemption.
- Persons who have been convicted of an offence under a law of the Commonwealth, or
- Persons who are a former serious offender because of the commission or alleged commission of an offence under a law of the Commonwealth, or
- You are being held under the:
If unsure of your status, contact:
For more information about who can apply, see the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.
In NSW, you can only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime.
If you change your name or use an additional or other name with the intention of breaking the law in any way, you could face criminal charges.
When a change of name is completed, we amend the birth registration if you were born in NSW:
- for a child to include the change of name, but we do not change the names of the parents
- for an adult to show details of previously registered names and former names used.
Note that once the change of name has been registered and a certificate issued:
- The change of name certificate cannot be used to amend any details of a registered life event that occurred before the registration date of the change of name.
- Some organisations may not accept certificates if they are laminated.
The change of name and change of sex applications are two separate applications with different eligibility requirements.
If you plan to also change your sex, the Registry recommends following these steps so they can coordinate your applications, and you only need to order one birth certificate or Recognised details certificate:
- Apply for change of name online first: submit your application and take note of the Online Reference Number (ORN) that is emailed to you. It’s recommended to order a Change of name certificate to assist with updating your details across other organisations. Note: Do not order a birth certificate or Recognised details certificate at this stage.
- Apply for a change of sex online: preferably using the same email address. When prompted, enter the ORN.
- Order a certificate (Optional): it's recommended to include a new birth certificate or recognised details certificate in your change of sex application order to assist with updating your details across other organisations.
- Processing: the Registry will process both applications together, so any ordered birth certificate or recognised details certificate reflects both your updated sex and new name.
- Please note: the new birth certificate or recognised details certificate will be posted in your former name. Your new certificate is needed before you can update your other identity documents. As certificates are delivered via Registered Post, you will need an existing identity document in your former name to collect the mail.
Here is a quick guide for a comparison of eligibility requirements between the two applications.
More information on eligibility requirements to alter your record of sex can be found on our Change of sex page.
Most names can be registered, but not all. We cannot register a name that:
- is offensive
- is too long
- includes numbers and symbols such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Jnr, Snr
- could be confused with a title or rank such as colonel, judge, saint, queen, prince.
Learn more about the rules for choosing a name.
Yes, if your application is approved, you will need to contact every organisation you have a personal account with to update your details. A change of name certificate is required to formally link your previous and current name.
Start by making a list. Your list may include:
- Australian Passport Office
- Transport for NSW
- banks
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Electoral Commission
- NSW Electoral commission
- Medicare
- insurance companies
- doctors/dentist
- superannuation funds .
Proof of residency in NSW
You must provide a document that shows your residential address:
- for the current year (issued in the last 3 months), and
- one for each of the previous 3 years.
For example, if you are applying in 2025, you must have lived in NSW in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 (a total of 4 documents).
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.
Note we will only refund the certificate fee for incomplete or non-compliant applications.
Other things to take into account when calculating processing times are:
- Certificates are delivered by registered post. Processing times do not include delivery. Please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia.
- Customers who have selected an international delivery may experience postage delays.