Preferred evidence of parentage
To prove you are the parent of the child, provide:
- Your child’s birth certificate, or
- Adoption papers that name the child, and show your name(s) as the child’s legal parents.
If you don’t have these documents, refer to alternative evidence of parentage.
Any documents that aren’t in English must have a certified translation.
Applications from one parent
We can accept applications from one parent in the following circumstances only:
Circumstances and evidence required if only one parent is applying
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 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
|
A certified copy of the court order.
The court 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 court order granting you sole parental responsibility 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 need to 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 found
- Proof that the parents have died
- 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.