Correct a change of name certificate | Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria

Victoria has declared a State of Emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our customer service and call centres are closed until further notice.

You can still apply online for certificates and registrations. Check our certificate turnaround times for how long it will take.

We are prioritising critical certificate or registration requests. For critical needs only:

Apply online, then
Email bdmcritical@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) with your reference number and reason(s) why it is critical.

For information about COVID-19, visit the DHHS website (External link)

If there's an error on your change of name certificate, you can apply to have it corrected. There's no fee to do this.

You can only apply to correct your own change of name certificate, or your child's if they're under 18 years of age.

Generally, if the correction is for a child, either parent can apply.

Depending on the correction, evidence may need to be provided.

All corrections are subject to assessment.

Correcting a change of name certificate isn't the same as actually changing your name. See Change a name.

What we need from you

We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:

1. Details of the person on the certificate

As a minimum, we ask for:

Given name and Family name
Date of birth
Place of birth.

2. The original 'Change of name' certificate

We ask that you return the original birth certificate before we can issue a new corrected version.

If you don't have the original, you need to provide a Statutory Declaration (External link) explaining why you cannot surrender the original certificate. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.

You'll need to apply for a new birth certificate once we've corrected the birth record.

If the original birth certificate is returned, we issue a replacement certificate free of charge. If the original isn't returned, there is a fee for the new certificate.

3. Evidence to support the correction

The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make. See Evidence required

For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Approved translators can be found at naati.com.au (External link) or by contacting Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 1450.

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable documents

One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your Passport.

Alternatively, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.

Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.

If you're applying for a child over 18, you'll also need to provide third-party authority.

Evidence required

The evidence listed below covers the most common correction requests. If you can't provide the evidence listed, send the best evidence you have available.

If we hold the evidence (for example, a birth certificate) you don't need to provide a copy of it.

Correction

Acceptable evidence

Any name on the certificate

Provide evidence of correct name:

Australian born:

Birth certificate

Overseas born:

Birth certificate
Citizenship certificate or Australian visa.

Date or place of birth

Evidence of correct date or place of birth:

Australian birth certificate
Overseas birth certificate, or
Overseas passport.

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take for a corrected certificate to be issued?

Processing start date

Processing time

Pick up/delivery

Date received

Full application
with proof of identity and evidence

28 days (4 weeks)

Standard processing

Pickup
595 Collins Street
Melbourne

or

6 days
Australia post

Track the progress of your corrected certificate (External link)

Delivery of multiple certificates

We send legal certificates by express post, for security.

For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.

Fees and payment

If the original birth or change of name certificate is returned	If the original birth or change of name certificate IS NOT returned
No fee	$33.80 The price of a legal birth certificate applies

Postage fees

We can’t refund postage fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage within Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Click and collect 595 Collins St, Melbourne	FREE
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.00
Commemorative certificate	Standard post	$1.00

Postage outside Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$54.10
Commemorative certificate	International economy	$3.80

See Australia Post (External link) for product details.

Check the Payment methods we accept.

Apply now (External link)