- What information will be on my new certificate?
- Do I need to update my details anywhere else?
- What is a letter of verification?
- How do I update my details?
This page is for people who have changed their record of sex, and need to update their other identity documents.
After we register your change of record of sex (and, if applicable, your change of name), we will issue you:
- a new birth certificate if you were born in Victoria
or - a recognised details certificate if you were born outside of Victoria.
The certificate will show your current name and affirmed sex.
The certificate is valid for all legal and official purposes.
If you were born in Victoria and completed a change of name, you will also receive a letter of verification.
This page explains how to use the certificate (and, if applicable, the letter) to update your other identity documents.
On this page
What information will be on my new certificate?
Born in Victoria
When we register your change of record of sex, we issue you a new birth certificate.
Victorian law recognises that birth certificates contain personal and potentially sensitive information.
That’s why there’s no history of changes to your sex, or list of any previous names, on your new birth certificate.
If you have changed your name at the same time or after changing your record of sex, the history on the back of your new certificate will simply state, ‘Previously registered in another name’.
Born outside Victoria
When we register your change of record of sex, we issue you a recognised details certificate.
The certificate shows your current name and your affirmed sex.
A recognised details certificate does not certify that your name and affirmed sex are recorded in the Victorian Register.
Learn more about recognised details certificates.
Do I need to update my details anywhere else?
If you’ve changed your name, you must update your other identity documents.
These may include your:
- Driver licence or learner permit
- Australian and/ or foreign passport
- Medicare and/or Centrelink details
- Bank accounts
- Electoral enrolment
- Utility accounts
- Superannuation
- Taxation
- Insurance
- Citizenship certificate
- Photo identification card issued for Australian regulatory purposes (for example, Aviation/Maritime Security identification or Working with Children Check).
You may also need to update your affirmed sex on these documents.
These services will ask you to prove your identity. You can usually do this by providing your birth certificate, or your change of name certificate and recognised details certificate.
If you were born overseas, organisations may prefer to see your change of name certificate.
They may also ask you for proof that your current certificate is linked to your previous identity.
What is a letter of verification?
If you were born in Victoria, we will provide you with a letter of verification via email.
A letter of verification links your previous identity to your current identity.
The letter includes:
- Your current name and record of sex
- The date on which you changed your record of sex (and name, if applicable), and
- Your name and record of sex prior to the change.
The letter confirms information held in our registers.
If you were born outside of Victoria, our registers will not hold information about your previous name and record of sex.
Because of this, we will not issue you with a letter of verification.
When should I use it?
When you update your records, organisations may request evidence of the link between:
- Your previous legal identity, and
- Your current legal identity.
To verify this link, you can provide them with your letter of verification.
The letter is a valid document we issue, confirming details held in our registers.
If required, you can refer the organisation to our page about letters of verification.
How do I update my details?
Each service may have their own policies on what information they require from you when you update your records with them.
Here are some common services where you may wish to update your details.
Updating your Medicare card and/ or Centrelink details
For information on changing your gender details, name or title visit Services Australia (External link).
Updating your passport
For information on changing your gender and name on your passport, visit the Australian Passport Office (External link).
Updating your Victorian driver licence
For information on changing your gender and name on your Victorian driver licence, visit VicRoads (External link).
Updating your electoral enrolment
For information on changing your name on the Australian and Victorian electoral rolls, visit the Australian Electoral Commission (External link).