Changing your name in Australia involves fees paid to your state's Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM), typically costing around $150-$215 for the registration and first certificate, with extra fees for priority service or additional certificates, though changing your surname after marriage is often free in states like NSW. Costs vary by state (e.g., $195 in NSW, $212.80 in QLD, $200 in WA) and whether you're an adult or child, with free options for spouses taking each other's names.
Changing your name in Australia costs around $145 to over $200 for the official registration and certificate, varying by state and service, with extra fees for urgent processing or additional certificates, but it's free to change your surname to your spouse's after marriage using your marriage certificate. For example, NSW charges $195 (standard) or $224 (priority), Victoria is around $145, while WA charges $200 for registration.
If you are changing your name for the first time, you should apply for a change of name certificate from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state where you were born. Alternatively, you could apply for an Australian citizenship certificate in your new name with the Department of Home Affairs.
Proof of a name change typically involves official documents like a Name Change Certificate, an updated Birth Certificate, a Marriage Certificate, or a Divorce Decree, issued by a government registry (like Births, Deaths, and Marriages) or court, linking your previous name to your new name, which you then use to update other records like passports, driver's licenses, and bank accounts. The specific document needed depends on where you live and the agency you're dealing with.
In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.
You'll typically pay the fee for the marriage license, which is often under $100. You'll also need to factor in the filing fee for a name change request, which is usually between $100 and $400.
The Pros and Cons of Legally Changing Your Name
While changing your name can be a hassle that comes with lots of documentation and forms, you don't have to worry about it affecting your credit score. That's because multiple pieces of information are used to identify you for credit purposes, including your Social Security number (SSN).
Reasons for a Name Change
However, it needs to be done legally by creating an affidavit, publishing an advertisement in the newspaper and a notification in the Gazette of India. After the name change is notified in the Gazette, the person can start using the new name and apply for changing the name in all ID proof documents.
Most states require a few standard documents to issue a new ID with your updated name. Plan to bring the following: Your current driver's license or state ID. Certified proof of your legal name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
An enrolled deed poll costs £53.05. Some organisations (such as some banks, mobile phone companies or energy providers) may only accept an enrolled deed poll to change your name on their records. Contact the organisation to understand the deed poll they will accept as proof of your new name.
The details that needs to be mentioned in the newspaper notification/ advertisement are: ☑️ The applicant must mention his/ her new surname and old surname; if you are removing your surname then the old full name and new name, must be mentioned; ☑️ Mention your residential address.
DOCUMENTS :
Three Common Reasons People File for Name Changes
Required documents: This varies by state, but in general, you'll need your updated Social Security card, current driver's license, proof of address, and your legal name change form.
You may have no other reason for wanting to change your name other than that your current name simply does not 'feel right' to you or you think another name feels more comfortable and reflective of who you are. Seeking a name change is your right and you do not even have to have any one specific reason for it.
A Deed Poll is a term with which most people are familiar. If they are intent on a new name people believe they must visit a Solicitor or a Notary Public to change name legally by Deed Poll. A legal name change, however, is a simple process and can be completed free of charge in three easy steps.
In the affidavit, the applicant is required to clearly state the valid reason for change his/her name along with his/her previous and new name. Once the affidavit is prepared, the applicant is required to get the affidavit notarized and attested by two witnesses, adding an official stamp to the document.
Proof of a name change typically involves official documents like a Name Change Certificate, an updated Birth Certificate, a Marriage Certificate, or a Divorce Decree, issued by a government registry (like Births, Deaths, and Marriages) or court, linking your previous name to your new name, which you then use to update other records like passports, driver's licenses, and bank accounts. The specific document needed depends on where you live and the agency you're dealing with.
To apply, you need to complete an Application to Register a Change of Name (Adult), pay the correct fee and provide documents to support your application. Unless there are exceptional reasons, such as personal safety, you cannot change your name more than once in any 12-month period.
Will changing my name affect my credit rating? No — not if you tell all record holders about your new name. When someone needs to run a credit check against you, they should ask you for any previous names that you've been known by in the past 6 years.