Change your name (adult born in Victoria)

Victoria has declared a State of Emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our customer service centre and call centre are closed until further notice.

For information on BDM services, use the menu above. If you’ve already applied for a certificate or registration, check our certificate turnaround times.

We are prioritising critical certificate or registration requests. For critical requests only:

Apply online
Then email bdmcritical@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and include:
- Order number
- Proof of identity
- Reason(s) why it is critical.

From 11:59pm on 31 May, 20 people can attend a wedding in person in addition to the couple, and the celebrant. Children are counted in the person limit. If a wedding is held in a home, the restrictions on private gatherings apply. This means up to 20 people, including the couple, are allowed. The celebrant, who is required for the service, is not included in the limit. The Victorian Marriage Registry is closed.

From 11:59pm on 31 May, 50 mourners can attend a funeral in person as well as the people required for the funeral, such as the officiant or funeral company staff. This applies to both indoor and outdoor funerals. If a funeral is held in a home, the restrictions on private gatherings apply. This means up to 20 people are allowed. The officiant and funeral staff, who are required for the service, are not included in the limit.

For information about COVID-19, visit the DHHS website (External link).

This page explains how to change your name if you are:

An adult (over 18)
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	Read this page	Adult born overseas	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory (External link)
Child	Child born in Victoria	Child born overseas	Apply to the Registry in that state or territory (External link)

Changing your name due to marriage, separation or divorce

Read Changing your name after marriage, separation or divorce if you want to change your family name:

To your spouse's family name
Back to your own family name.

You can change your name only once in a 12 month period and 3 times in your lifetime.

What you'll need to do

We'll ask you for the following:

1. Your current details

At a minimum, we’ll ask you for:

Personal details, such as name and date of birth
A clear reason for the change of name
Original (not copies) birth certificates. You will need to post these to us, or bring them in in person
Credit history (if changing more than one name: for example, your name and middle name). You can attach these to your online application
Any previous names you've been known by.

2. Your chosen name

Chosen family name(s)
Chosen given name
Chosen other given name(s).

Generally, we accept most names, but there are some names that aren’t allowed. See Naming restrictions.

3. Your original certificate

We ask you to return the original birth certificate before we can issue a new one.

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

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable documents

One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your Passport.

Alternatively, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.

There are other ways to prove your identity.

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.

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.

Get a certificate

Get a certificate when you change your name

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

New name
Name at birth.

A history of changes is on the back of the certificate.

The certificate is valid for all legal and official purposes. You will need this certificate to update identity documents such as your driver licence and passport.

Get a certificate later

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

Order a new birth certificate (External link)

Deed poll

Deed polls are no longer used in Victoria for a change of name. Learn more about getting a copy of a deed poll certificate.

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take?

Estimated time from when we receive a complete application with proof of identity:

Delivery method	Standard service
Click and collect 595 Collins St, Melbourne	28 days (4 weeks)
Australia Post	35 days (5 weeks)

Track the progress of your certificate (External link)

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 28 days* (4 weeks)
$110.50^
Includes Change of name Certificate No extra processing fees

* Allow extra time if you choose to receive your certificate by post.

^ Additional postage costs apply (see below).

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

Postage fees

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

Postage within Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Click and collect 595 Collins St, Melbourne	FREE
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 postage details.

Check the Payment methods we accept

After the change

After you’ve changed your name

Update your documents

After you've changed your name, you must update your identity documents. These may include:

Driver licence
Passport
Bank accounts
Electoral enrolment
Utility accounts
Superannuation
Insurance
Immigration documents

Changing your name again

You should not change your legal name lightly. You can change your name only once in a 12 month period and 3 times in your lifetime.

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

Apply now (External link)