Change of name certificates are usually needed when people want to prove their identity for things like passports and claiming government benefits after they have registered a change of name.
If you were married in Australia and wish to take on your partner's surname, you should apply for a marriage certificate to use as evidence of your new surname.
1. Check eligibility
2. Application form
Complete and sign the form - Apply for a change of name certificate (184.9 KB PDF).
3. Supporting evidence
Attach copies of the required ID to your application - what you'll need.
4. Payment
Include payment of $54.50 - payment options
5. Lodgement
Take your application to the CBS Customer Service Centre or post it to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Consumer and Business Services
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
What you'll need
Applicants need to prove their identity. You'll need one of these showing your photo, current name, postal address and signature:
- a current Australian driver's licence
- a proof of age card.
If you don't have these, CBS will accept any two of the following, showing your current name and postal address on one and your signature on the other:
- passport
- Centrelink or health care card
- pension, seniors or veteran's card
- credit or debit card, bank statement
- Business and Occupational Services licence
- defence force or police service ID card
- current Australian firearms licence
- electricity, gas or other utility accounts
- telephone or mobile phone account.
Payment options
Fees for certificates cover the search of the register - $54.50
You can pay for your certificate:- in person - cash, cheque, money order, credit or debit card
- by post - cheque, money order, credit card.
Cheques should be made payable to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Occasionally, CBS can't find a record to match an application. If this happens, a 'no record' certificate is issued and a search fee of $54.50 for each ten-year period is charged.
Estimated processing times
Check estimated processing times on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) website to work out how long it will take to get your certificate.
Fast track option
Your application can be fast-tracked by paying a priority fee of $41.50. Certificates can be picked up from the CBS Customer Service Centre in Adelaide or sent by express post. There is no extra postage cost to have your fast-tracked certificate sent by express post.
Priority service processing times:
- CBS Customer Service Centre applications – 30 minutes
- posted applications – available for collection or posted within 24 hours.
