We don’t hold records for changes of name completed before April 1996, such as deed polls.
What you'll need
If you are applying for your own certificate, you must provide the following:
- Three forms of your own proof of identity
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, 627.26 KB), from the person named on the certificate or if deceased, their next of kin. Include their address, daytime telephone number and signature;
- Three forms of proof of identity from the person giving permission
- Three forms of your own proof of identity
If you have changed your name or your child's name and require a replacement of the certificate, you can apply for a replacement change of name certificate.
If your child is now aged over 18 years, and you applied for the original change of name as a parent, you are entitled to a replacement 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, 627.26 KB), 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 at least 3 forms of current identity, 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, contact us for further advice.
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | If born in Australia:
|
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 4 |
|
| Certificate | Standard processing fee | Priority processing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Replace change of name certificate | $60 | $80 |
Processing begins when we have received your complete and correct application.
- Certificates are delivered by registered post when you apply by post, online or with Service NSW.
- The number of working days to process certificates depends on how you apply.
- The processing time does not include delivery which can be up to 6 working days.
| Certificate application | Standard time | Priority time |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | 4 | 3 |
| Submitted by post | 13 | 9 |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | 5 | 4 |
If your change of name was completed after April 1996 you can apply for a replacement change of name certificate by:
- applying online for a replacement change of name certificate, or
- downloading a replacement change of name certificate form (PDF, 598.29 KB) and sending the completed form to us by post.
If there are errors on the certificate:
- return the original certificate to us by post
- provide 3 proof of identity documents and
- send us the correct information on the correct an entry form.