We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:
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
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.
You can request a credit report from these organisations, even if you don’t have any credit history.
This demonstrates the name that financial institutions may have known you by, before your change of name application.
We can still accept a credit report with no credit history. We can also accept an email or letter from the agency, confirming that you have 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. However, there are some names that aren’t allowed. See Naming restrictions.
3. Original certificate(s)
Have you have changed your name before in Victoria? If so, we ask you to return any previous change of name certificates 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
General requirements for identity documents
Your documents must meet the following conditions:
Documents must be current (not expired). We accept Australian passports that are current or expired less than 3 years.
Documents must be certified copies. Check the list of people authorised to certify documents in Victoria (External link).
Documents must be in English. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Learn more about the requirements for translated documents.
In addition, when combined, the documents must show:
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- A photo of you
Which identity documents can I use?
You must provide certified copies of at least one document from each list below:
- List 1 (commencement of identity)
- List 2 (use in the community)
List 1: Commencement of identity
- Australian passport – current or expired less than 3 years
- Valid ImmiCard
- Foreign passport linked to a valid Australian visa
- Australian citizenship certificate
- DFAT-issued certificate or document of identity, or DFAT verification of residency status
List 2: Use in the community
- Documents from List 1 if not already provided as a List 1 document
- Australian driver licence or learner permit
- Medicare card
- Evidence of right to an Australian government benefit (Centrelink or Veteran’s Affairs)
- Photo identity card issued by an Australian government agency (Commonwealth, state or territory)
- Weapons or firearms licence showing signature and photo
- DFAT-issued United Nations Convention Travel Document
- DFAT-issued consular photo identity card
- Marriage certificate issued in Australia
- Australian Electoral Commission confirmation of enrolment
- Australian Taxation Office assessment notice
- Security guard or crowd control licence
- Rates notice from any local government in Australia
- Australian aviation or maritime security identification card
- Australian secondary or tertiary student identification
- Credit report
- Australian utility bill showing name and address (issued in the last 12 months)
- Australian private health insurance card
- Australian trade association card
- Keypass card issued by Australia Post.
- Foreign government issued documents (e.g. driver licence)
5. Proof of living in Victoria
You’ll need to prove that you have been living in Victoria for most of the time in the last 12 months.
You must provide at least one of the documents below. Documents in this list must cover at least the last 12 months.
You only need to provide one of these documents once. If you’ve already provided a document as part of applying or when proving your identity, you don’t need to provide it again.
- Australian Electoral Commission confirmation of enrolment
- Australian private health care statements
- Australian Taxation Office assessment notice
- Bond lodgement notice
- Infringement notices
- Insurance policy
- Letter from a treating doctor
- Letter from an employer
- Payslips
- Rates notice
- Rental agreement (joint name may be acceptable)
- Road-toll statement
- School reports
- Superannuation fund statement
- Utility accounts (for example, electricity, gas, water)
