We'll ask you for the following:
1. Your current details
At a minimum, we’ll ask you for:
- Personal details, such as name and date of birth
- A clear reason for the change of name
- Original (not copies) birth certificates. You will need to post these to us
- A full credit report (if changing more than one name: for example, your first name and family name).
Agencies that we accept credit reports from include:
We can request a credit report, when deemed necessary.
These organisations can provide a credit report, even if you don't have any credit history.
This demonstrates the name that financial institutions may have known you by, prior to your change of name application. We can still accept a credit report with no credit history.
You can upload this to your online application.
- Any previous names you've been known by.
You might be using a different name in the community from what is on your birth record (before the change of name). If so, we may ask you for documents linking the different names or a statutory declaration to explain it.
2. Your chosen name
- Chosen family name(s)
- Chosen given name
- Chosen other given name(s).
Generally, we accept most names, but there are some names that aren’t allowed. See Naming restrictions.
3. Your original certificate
We ask you to return the original birth certificate before we can issue a new one.
If you don't have the original, you need to provide a statutory declaration (External link) explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.
4. Proof of your identity
You may be able to prove your identity online. If not, you can still prove your identity by mailing certified copies to us.
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.
There are other ways to prove your identity.
If you send documents to us by mail, they must be certified copies.
- Don't send original identity documents by mail
- Don't send uncertified copies - we can't accept them.
Learn more about how to prove your identity.
Documents must be current (not expired). We accept Australian passports that are current or expired less than 3 years.
If you cannot provide current photo identification, please contact us.
When you apply, please take care to provide correct details.
Enter details exactly as you want them on the certificate. This includes spelling and capitalisation (e.g. Name).
Remember to review the sections before you submit.
You may have to pay to correct a mistake or get a replacement certificate. Additional wait times will apply.
