Change of name

You can apply to change your name if you are 18 years or older and were born or adopted in NSW.

You must:

• have three valid identity documents
  • one of these must be a government issued photo identification e.g. a passport, driver licence or photo card.
  • if you don’t have photo identification you can apply for a NSW Photo Card before applying for a change of name. 
• provide a reason for the change of name
• declare any criminal convictions punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more
• consent to a National Police Check
• have approval from a supervising authority if you are a restricted or registrable person.

Parents and guardians can apply to change a child’s name. If the child is in the care of the Minister, a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) caseworker can apply. 

As a parent or guardian, you must:

• provide 3 valid identity documents for the child
  • one of the documents must be a government issued photo identification e.g. a passport or photo card, or
  • if the child does not have a government issued photo identification, a form with a photo of the child, witnessed by a guarantor, must be uploaded on the supporting documents page, and
  • one of the documents should be the child’s NSW birth certificate. If you don’t have this, we can search the Registry and may contact you to confirm we have the right record.
• provide 3 valid identity documents for each parent or guardian applicant including at least one government issued photo identification such as a driver licence, photo card, and Australian or foreign passport
• declare any criminal convictions for the child punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more
• consent to a National Police Check for the child if they are aged 14 years or older
• have approval from a supervising authority if the child is a restricted or registrable person.

If the child has two parents or guardians

Where there are two parents or guardians, both must consent to the child changing their name and each person will complete the form separately. One parent or guardian will begin the application and will invite the other to participate. 

Each participating parent or guardian must have their own email address and phone number. The online form will not allow you to proceed with the same email and phone number. Each parent or guardian is required to complete the application within 14 days of its initiation.

Sole parent/guardian applications

If you are applying as a sole parent or guardian of the child, you must also provide one of the following: 

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate or guardianship order, showing you are the only parent or guardian for the child, or
• a copy of the deceased parent’s or guardian’s death certificate, if the death occurred outside of NSW, or
• a final parenting order allocating sole parental responsibility under the Family Law Act 1975 to make decisions about major long-term issues, or
• an Australian court order approving a proposed change of name for the child.

To apply as a caseworker

If the child is in the care of the Minister, a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) caseworker can apply, and must provide:

• 3 valid proof of identity documents for the child
• consent to a National Police Check for the child if the child is 14 years or older
• a copy of the court order issued by the Children’s Court of NSW allocating sole parental responsibility to the Minister, and
• a letter on DCJ letterhead requesting the change.  

Parents and guardians can apply to change a child’s name. If the child is in the care of the Minister, a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) caseworker can apply. 

As a parent or guardian, you must:

• provide 3 valid identity documents for the child
  • One of the documents must be a government issued photo identification e.g. a passport or photo card, or
  • If the child does not have government issued photo identification, a form with a photo of the child, witnessed by a guarantor, must be uploaded on the supporting documents page
• an overseas birth certificate for the child to establish parental linkage. If you don’t have it, the Registry may contact you to confirm parentage another way
• provide 3 valid identity documents for each parent or guardian applicant including at least one government issued photo identification such as a driver licence, photo card, and Australian or foreign passport
• provide proof that the child has been a resident in NSW for 3 consecutive years immediately preceding the date of application
• declare any criminal convictions for the child punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more
• consent to a National Police Check for a child 14 years or older.

If the child has two parents or guardians

Where there are two parents or guardians, both must consent to the child changing their name and each person will complete the form separately. One parent or guardian will begin the application and will invite the other to participate. 

Each participating parent or guardian must have their own email address and phone number. The online form will not allow you to proceed with the same email and phone number. Each parent or guardian is required to complete the application within 14 days of its initiation.

Sole parent/guardian applications

If you are applying as a sole parent or guardian of the child, you must also provide one of the following:  

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate or guardianship order, showing you are the only parent or guardian for the child, or
• a copy of the deceased parent’s or guardian’s death certificate, if the death occurred outside of NSW, or
• a final parenting order allocating sole parental responsibility under the Family Law Act 1975 to make decisions about major long-term issues, or
• an Australian court order approving a proposed change of name for the child.

Residency documents you will need

To prove the child’s current and continuous residency in NSW for the past 3 years you will need four documents: 

1. One document issued 3 years prior to the application
2. One document issued 2 years prior to the application
3. One document issued 1 year prior to the application
4. One document within the last 3 months immediately prior to this application.

Each document must show the date of issue, the child’s full name and residential address.

Examples of acceptable documents include:

• school reports, invoices for school, childcare or preschool fees or enrolment documentation
• Centrelink family payment advice
• health care statements
• Lease agreements
• Utility bill or rates notice from the last 3 months

To apply as a caseworker

If the child is in the care of the Minister, a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) caseworker can apply, and must provide:

• 3 valid proof of identity documents for the child
• copy of the court order issued by the Children’s Court of NSW allocating sole parental responsibility to the Minister
• a letter on DCJ letterhead requesting the change
• declare any criminal convictions for the child punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more
• consent to a National Police Check for a child 14 years or older.

Most names can be registered, but not all. A name will not be registered if it:

• is obscene or offensive
• is too long
• includes numbers and symbols such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Jnr, Snr
• includes or resembles an official title or rank such as Colonel, Judge, Saint.

Learn more about the restrictions for choosing a name in NSW.

Born or adopted in NSW

After changing your name, any previous issued birth certificates or change of name certificates will no longer be valid. You will need to order another NSW birth certificate that reflects your new name or indicates a change of name has occurred. You may also need a change of name certificate to update your details with various organisations. Many organisations require this certificate to formally link your previous and current names.  

Not adding a certificate to your order will restrict your ability to update personal details with other organisations. You can order certificates at a later date through separate application forms if your application is approved.  

Born overseas

You will need to order a change of name certificate to update your name with other organisations. You can order this certificate at a later date through a separate application form if your application is approved.

Replacement 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. 

A change of name certificate is an official copy of the information given to us to register the name change, including details such as:  

• registered and former name(s)  
• certificate number
• date of registration
• registration number.

Please note that your previous name and provided postal address will appear on the back of the official certificate to ensure it is sent to your nominated address. This section is not considered part of the legal certificate.

You will be given a choice in the online form as to what new information is recorded on your NSW birth certificate.

The options are:

• Your birth certificate will show your new name with a notation listing former name(s), or
• Your new name will not be shown on your birth certificate but will include a notation stating that you have registered a change of name along with the registration number 

In NSW, you can only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime.

The Registry will make exceptions to a fourth change of name in select circumstances. For example, if the person has evidence of being at risk of harm due to domestic violence. Each application is assessed individually, and any exception will require valid documentary evidence. 

Applying online is the quickest and easiest way to submit your change of name application.

If you are having trouble with the online form, please visit our online form help page for support. If you wish to report a technical problem with the form, please contact the Registry.  

Alternatively, paper forms are available at your local Service NSW service centre, where you can lodge the completed form, the required documentation and make payment in person. You can also request a paper form by emailing the Registry at bdmsupport@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

Please note, applications lodged with Service NSW take longer to process.

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, we recommend following these steps so we can coordinate your applications, so that you only need to order one birth certificate or recognised details certificate:   

1. 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 with other organisations. Note: Do not order a birth certificate or recognised details certificate at this stage.
2. Apply for a change of sex online: preferably using the same email address. When prompted, enter the ORN.
3. 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 with other organisations.
4. Processing: we will process both applications together, so any ordered birth certificate or recognised details certificate reflects both your updated sex and new name.
5. 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 webpage. 

Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you did not pay the fee.

While most National Police Checks are completed quickly, some can take up to 10 days. In these circumstances, we will contact you. 

Other things to consider when calculating processing times are:

• Certificates are delivered by registered post. Processing times do not include delivery. Please see the Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia.
• Customers who have selected an international delivery may experience postage delays. 
   

The Registry needs to be satisfied that where there are two parents and guardians, that both have consented to the change of name for the child. The online form enables one parent/guardian to start the process and invites the other parent to participate.

Personal details, like your address and identity documents, are kept private and are not shared with the other parent or guardian.

Other supporting documents are required for sole parent or sole guardian applications.

Restricted and registrable people must have written approval from their supervising authority to apply to change their name.

LawAccess NSW can provide legal advice and assistance in navigating this process.

Restricted person

A restricted person includes:

• an inmate
• a person on remand
• a parolee
• a periodic detainee
• a person who is subject to a supervision order
• a forensic patient
• a 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.  

The full definition of ‘restricted person’ can be found in section 31B of the Births Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1995.

It is an offence for a restricted person to apply to change your name without written approval from the relevant supervising authority.

Registrable person

If you are a registrable person or have been on the Child Protection Register under the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000, you must contact the Sex Crimes Squad of the NSW Police to seek permission to apply to change your name.

It is an offence for a restricted person to apply to change your name without written approval from the NSW Police Commissioner. 

A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a barrier to registering your change of name.

The Registry will consider the results of the National Police Check and will take into account factors such as the nature of conviction(s) and the time that has passed since the conviction was recorded. Further information may be requested in these circumstances.

In the declaration section of the form, you have committed to using your new name on all official identification documents. 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 by many organisations 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/dentists  
• superannuation funds. 

Until you receive your new certificate(s), you will not be able to update any identification documents. As the Registry sends certificates via Registered Post, you may need identification in your former name to collect these. 

No. A person’s name must be recorded as it was at the time of marriage. However, a notation can be included in the endorsement section of a certificate with the new name. You can apply to include the notation, and a new marriage certificate will need to be purchased. Refer to the correct an entry webpage for more information.

No. A parent’s name and any sibling names must be recorded as it was at the time of a person’s birth. However, a notation can be included in the endorsement section of a certificate with the new name. You can apply to include the notation, and a new birth certificate for your child will need to be purchased. Refer to the correct an entry webpage for more information.