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 want to take your partner's surname, you should apply for a marriage certificate to use as evidence of your new surname.
How to apply
1. Application form
Complete and sign the form - Apply for a change of name certificate (184.9 KB PDF).
2. Supporting evidence
Attach copies of the required ID to your application - what you'll need.
3. Fees and payment
Include payment of $55.50 (fees cover the search of the register).
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 $55.50 for each ten-year period is charged.4. Lodgement
Post the form, supporting documents and payment to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Consumer and Business Services
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
If your application is urgent you can lodge it at the CBS customer service centre. There is an additional fee for urgent applications.
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 are 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
An application can be fast-tracked by paying a priority fee of $42.25.
If you chose the priority service for posted applications, they will be processed within 1 business day.
Processing time doesn't include delivery by Australia Post. Visit www.auspost.com.au for delivery information.
Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages
Phone: 131 882
International: +61 8 8204 8532
Post:
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
