Change your child's name (child born in Victoria)

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You can change your child's name if they are:

Under 18 years of age, and
Born in Victoria

Not sure if you're in the right place?

Person whose name is being changed	Born in Victoria	Born overseas	Born interstate
Adult	Adult born in Victoria	Adult born overseas	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory (External link)
Child	Read this page	Child born overseas	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory (External link)

Changing a record of sex

If you want to change your child’s name and record of sex at the same time, please apply from our ‘Change your child’s record of sex (child born in Victoria)’ page.

Apply now (External link)

What we need from you

In most cases, both parents on the birth certificate need to complete the application. When you apply:

Parent 1 completes their part
Parent 1 attaches consent from the child, if applicable
- If the child is 12 years or older, their name can’t be changed without their consent. Attach the child’s consent to your application. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents
We will email Parent 2 to complete their part.

If you can’t apply online, contact BDM and request a paper change of name form.

We'll ask you for the following:

1. Your details

At minimum, we'll ask you for:

Your child's name, date of birth and place of birth
Your name and address
Name and address of the second parent (if applicable)
A clear reason for the change of name
Any previous names your child has been known by.

2. The chosen name

Chosen family name
Chosen given (first) name
Chosen given (middle) name(s).

Generally, we accept most names that parents choose for their child. However, both parents need to agree on the name and there are some names that aren't allowed.

See Naming your child.

3. The original certificate

We ask you to return your child’s birth certificate before we can issue a new one.

If you don't have the original, you need to provide a statutory declaration explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable documents

Both parents on the birth certificate need to prove their identity. One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your passport.

If you send documents to us by mail, they must be certified copies.

Don't send original identity documents by mail
Don't send uncertified copies - we can't accept them.

Learn more about how to prove your identity.

Documents must be current (not expired). If you cannot provide current photo identification, please contact us.

5. Proof of parentage

Your child’s Victorian birth certificate, naming you as a parent, is all you need. You need to send us the original, not a copy.

When you apply, please take care to provide correct details.

Enter details exactly as you want them on the certificate. This includes spelling and capitalisation (e.g. Name).

Remember to review the sections before you submit.

You may have to pay to correct a mistake or get a replacement certificate. Additional wait times will apply.

When both parents can't apply

Applications from one parent

We can accept applications from one parent in the following circumstances only:

Circumstance	What you need to provide
The child's birth certificate names only one parent	Your child’s original birth certificate
The other parent named on the child's birth certificate has died	A certified copy of the death certificate
A court order, stating that your child's current name is to be changed to the new name, has been issued by: The County Court of Victoria The Family Court of Australia The Federal Circuit Court	A certified copy of the court order. The court order must list the child’s old and new names. The new names that you apply for must exactly match the new name(s) on the court order.

Circumstance

What you need to provide

The child's birth certificate names only one parent

Your child’s original birth certificate

The other parent named on the child's birth certificate has died

A certified copy of the death certificate

A court order, stating that your child's current name is to be changed to the new name, has been issued by:

The County Court of Victoria
The Family Court of Australia
The Federal Circuit Court

A certified copy of the court order.

The court order must list the child’s old and new names.

The new names that you apply for must exactly match the new name(s) on the court order.

Learn more about uploading hard copy documents online.

A sole parentage order alone does not give you the right to change your child's name. Both parents still need to complete the application.

Applications from a legal guardian

If you're not the child's birth parent, you must provide proof that you’re the child’s legal guardian.

You must also provide one of the following:

Proof that the parents can't be located
Proof that the parents have died, or
A court order instructing us to change the child's name without the parents' consent.

You may have to provide additional documents. Contact us for more advice.

Applications from a permanent carer

If you're not the child's birth parent, you must provide:

Proof that you’re the child’s permanent carer.
A certified copy of the permanent care order:

You may have to provide additional documents. Contact us for more advice.

Get a certificate

Get a certificate when you change your child’s name

When you change your child’s name, you get a new birth certificate. It shows your child’s:

New name
Name at birth.

The back of the certificate shows a history of the changes.

The certificate is valid for all legal and official purposes. You will need this certificate to update your child’s identity documents, such as their passport.

You can order another certificate later – for example, if you lost it and need a replacement.

Order a new birth certificate (External link)

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take?

Check our certificate turnaround times.

If it's urgent, apply online then contact us.

Delivery of multiple certificates

We send legal certificates by express post, for security.

For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.

Fees and payment

Change of name and certificate fees

Standard
$112.20*
Includes: Change of name Certificate No extra processing fee

Standard

$112.20*

Includes:

Change of name
Certificate
No extra processing fee

* Additional postage costs apply (see below).

These fees are non-refundable except as set out in our Refunds page.

Postage fees

Postage within Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.00
Commemorative certificate	Standard post	$1.00

Postage outside Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$54.10
Commemorative certificate	International economy	$3.80

See Australia Post (External link) for more postage details.

Check the Payment methods we accept.

After the change

After you’ve changed your child’s name

Update documents

Once your child's name has been changed, you must update all your child's identity documents and records with their new name. These may include:

Passport
Bank account
School enrolment
Visa travel documents.

Changing your name again

You should not change your child’s legal name lightly. Your child’s name can be changed only once in a 12 month period and 3 times in their lifetime.

If you want to change your child’s name again, you will need to prove they have been using this name for at least 12 months.