Change your child's name (child born overseas)

This page explains how to change your child's name if they are:

Under 18 years old
Born overseas and:
- Living in Victoria for at least the last 12 months
- Have the legal right to live in Australia.

Not sure if you're in the right place?

Choose the page that matches your circumstances: adult or child, born in Victoria or born overseas.
Age of person whose name is being changed	Person born in Victoria	Person born overseas	Person born interstate
Adult	Adult born in Victoria	Adult born overseas	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory
Child	Child born in Victoria	Read this page	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory

Read our information for young people on changing a name.

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 outside 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. About you and your child

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. Child’s chosen name

Chosen family name
Chosen given name
Chosen other given 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. Any original certificates

If your child has changed their name before in Victoria, we ask you to return any previous change of name certificates for your child 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

Each parent must provide:

One identity document showing photograph and signature, and
Two documents showing that your identity is known in the community.

a. Identity document showing photograph and signature

Each parent must provide one of the following:

Australian passport
Overseas passport
Australian driver licence (or learner permit)
Travel document issued by the Department of Home Affairs:
- Immicard
- Document for Travel to Australia

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.

Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Learn more about the requirements for translated documents.

b. Identity known in the community

Each parent must provide two of the following:

Medicare card
Marriage certificate issued in Australia
Change of name certificate issued in Australia
Divorce certificate issued in Australia
Student or tertiary identity card
Australian security guard or crowd controller licence
Working with Children Check card

5. Proof of your child’s identity

Your child’s overseas birth certificate is all you need.

You need to send us a certified copy (with certified translation if it isn't in English)

If you can’t provide this, please contact us.

6. Proof of parentage

One of the easiest ways to do this is with your child’s overseas birth certificate. For other options, refer to Proof of parentage tab.

7. Proof of residence

You'll need to prove that your child:

Has the right to live in Australia
Has been living in Victoria for at least the last 12 months

You must provide one document from each list below. At least one of the documents must state your child’s place of birth.

a. The child’s right to live in Australia

A document issued by the Department of Home Affairs, for example:

Australian Citizenship Certificate
Australian visa (with overseas passport)
ImmiCard
Document for Travel to Australia

b. Living in Victoria for at least the last 12 months

Documents in this list must cover at least the last 12 months:

Confirmation of school attendance (letter on school letterhead or academic results)
Bank statements (showing Victorian transactions)

If your child is not of school age, each parent must prove that they live in Victoria. Joint (shared) material is acceptable. Examples include:

Utility accounts (for example, electricity, gas, water)
Lease or tenancy agreement
Confirmation of enrolment in a Victorian tertiary institution

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.

Proof of parentage

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.

Get a certificate

Get a certificate when you change your child’s name

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

New name
Former name.

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.

Get a certificate later

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

Get a change of name certificate

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take?

Check our certificate turnaround times.

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

Fees and payment

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

Application and certificate fees

Fees, inclusions and prices
Product or service	Inclusions	Price
Application fee	Registration of change of name Certificate	$131.50

Postage fees are additional.

Postage fees

We can’t refund postage fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage within Australia

Postage methods and prices, within Australia
Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.00

Postage outside Australia

Postage methods and prices, outside Australia
Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$54.10

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

Check the Payment methods we accept

After the change

Update your child’s 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.