If you and your immediate family have been affected by a natural disaster you can apply for a free replacement birth, marriage and change of name certificate.
Learn more about how to apply for a natural disaster replacement certificate on the Consumer and Business Services website.
Learn more about how to apply for a natural disaster replacement certificate on the Consumer and Business Services website.
A change of name certificate is usually needed when you want to prove your identity for things like passports and claiming government benefits after you've registered a change of name.
If you were married in Australia and want to take your partner's surname, you should apply for a marriage certificate to use as evidence of your new surname.
The fee for a standard certificate is $72.00
Who can apply
The person whose name is on the registration can apply for a certificate.
The only other people who can apply are:
- a child's parent, if the child is aged less than 18 years - evidence is needed
- a child's legal guardian, if the child is aged less than 18 years - evidence is needed
- an executor of a person's estate, or an administrator or trustee - evidence of authority is needed
- someone with written authority or power of attorney - evidence of authority is needed.
To change a name on a birth certificate, the same requirements apply.
What you'll need
You'll need to provide one of these combinations of documents:
- TWO documents from list 1
- ONE document from list 1 and ONE document from either list 2 or 3
- ONE document from list 2 and TWO documents from list 3
- THREE documents from list 3.
At least one document must show your name and address and one document must show your signature.
All identification documents must be current (not expired). Where a document from list 3 is provided as evidence of your address, it must have been issued within the last three months.
You can upload scanned or photographed images of your ID documents.
If you're applying online, you must include a document from list 1, or your medicare card, to be verified by the online Document Verification Service (DVS). If you live overseas, you can use your overseas driver’s licence or passport.
| List 1 | List 2 | List 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Australian passport | Government employee photo ID card | Bank statement |
| Australian driver’s licence | Overseas driver’s licence | Council rates notice |
| Centrelink concession card | Tertiary student ID card | Utility account statement (electricity, gas, water) |
| Overseas passport | Proof of age card | |
| Aviation/maritime security ID card | Tenancy or lease agreement | |
| Medicare card | Motor vehicle registration papers | |
| Australian firearms licence | Telephone or mobile account | |
| Security guard or crowd control licence | ATO notice of assessment | |
| Mortgage documents | ||
| Australian Electoral Commission enrollment | ||
| Seniors card | ||
| Superannuation fund statement | ||
| Certified academic university transcript | ||
| Credit or debit card |
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 $50.00
Priority service processing times for online or posted applications - processed within 1 business day.
Processing time doesn't include delivery by Australia Post. Visit www.auspost.com.au for delivery information.
Other ways to apply
- Fill out and sign the form - Apply for a change of name certificate (PDF 184.9 KB).
- Lodge your application. Post the form, supporting documents and payment to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Consumer and Business Services
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages
Online
Phone
131 882 – option 1
+61 8 8204 8532 – international
Post
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
