Changing Your Name

Wedding PlanningBrideGroomWedding Ceremony

17 Jan

If you’re looking to change your last name after getting married, but don’t know where to start, this is going to make your life better!

About 70% of newly-married brides (and about 4% of pioneering grooms) change their last name after marriage. But it’s not as easy as you think it could be.

For starters you can start using your new last name immediately after you are married. However if you want it changed on official documents like passport, bank, drivers licence etc. then it’s time consuming to say the least. It can take around 8 hours over several days or weeks to complete. And this is because every company or institution have their own unique processes and can’t share your details with anyone else.

So in the end there are two ways you can do this. the hard way and the easy way. Read on to find out what they are.

There are two ways you can change your name after marriage:

Here’s some hacks and tips to save you time and minimise frustration! I’ll also explain the choices available for your new name.

What does it mean to change my last name after marriage in Australia?

After you are married you have the right to use or be identified by, your spouse's last name, if you choose.

Or you may simply keep your last name as it is, even if you are married!

If you choose to use your spouse’s last name (or you are creating a new double-barrelled or hyphenated surname containing both of your last names), you are assuming a new last name.

This is not a legal change of name, and as such, a change of name through your State/Territory’s Births Deaths and Marriages office does not need to occur.

If you decide to use your spouse’s last name after marriage, you’ll need to inform all the organisations, institutions and companies that you deal with and provide them with a copy of your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the state you were married in. Now, this is not the certificate you received on the day you were married. In essence, this is just a ceremonial certificate for you to keep. The official certificate is the one that is provided by BDM once your marriage has been registered by them.

You may also need to send in a letter, form or email depending on their processes for your accounts/records/ID to be changed accordingly.

As I said above, while the process of informing all these organisations of your preferred new last name is commonly referred to as 'changing your name’, it doesn’t require a legal name change application to be lodged or any other legal steps to be taken.

Common companies to inform include the Department of Motor Transport for your licence & vehicle registrations, the passport office, banks, ATO, Medicare, superannuation, insurance, loyalty clubs, subscriptions etc.

To get started, create your own FREE customised online name change checklist HERE.

What options do I have to change my last name after marriage?

You have 3 options for a married name change.

For these changes, you’ll need your official BDM marriage certificate as evidence and your spouse doesn’t need to have the same surname:

Take your spouse's last name. For example, if Monica Geller married Chandler Bing, Monica could change her name to Monica Bing and/or Chandler could change his name to Chandler Geller (which between you and me, sounds heaps better).
Create a double-barrelled surname. The 2 surnames can appear in either order and be separated by either a space or hyphen. For example, the double-barrelled surname options for Monica and Chandler would be Bing Geller or Geller Bing. And the hyphenated option of these would be Bing-Geller or Geller-Bing. Either Monica, or Chandler, or both of them could make this change.
Use both your original/maiden last name and your spouse’s last name in different circumstances. For example, Monica may want to continue to be known professionally as Monica Geller, but personally, she may choose to update her passport, driver’s license and bank accounts to Monica Bing. Care should be taken with this option as it can be difficult to navigate the two names in situations such as international travel, tax obligations and home/business ownership.

Please note that as each of the state/territory offices of the Department of Transport/Roads/Motor Vehicles operates independently and the answer you get from each can depend on who you speak with, some couples have been told that a double-barrelled surname option is not permitted.

My hot tip in this circumstance is to email the department before you attend in person.

Then you can take a copy of the email with you to confirm you can make this change. It generally requires two emails, as the first reply to an email that contains the term ‘name change’ seems to trigger an automated response. It’s only when you go back and push them to read the question again that they will answer it in person.

What if I/we want an entirely different last name?

You can change your surname to an entirely different last name after marriage, but if it is not one of the 3 options detailed above, then you would need to go through a legal change of name process via the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the state or territory you were born in. This process also allows you to change any part of your given name/s at the same time.

If both of you decide that you want to change to an entirely new last name, it’s easiest for one of you to legally change surnames before the wedding, then the other spouse can use their official BDM marriage certificate to assume their spouse’s surname.

How long do I have to change my last name?

While it is common for a last name change by marriage to take place within a few months of a wedding, there is no time frame requirement.

A spouse can change from their birth surname to their married last name the day the BDM marriage certificate arrives or 10 years after the wedding!

And you can revert back to your birth surname at any time, regardless of your marital status.

Once you’re married and have decided to change your last name, it's your responsibility to get all your accounts, memberships and identification moved over into your new name.

Should you plan to travel in Australia or overseas within 2-3 months of your wedding date (e.g. for your honeymoon), it is recommended that you keep all travel details (plane tickets, visas, accommodation etc.) in your original/maiden last name and all your I.D./documentation the same until after you return home.

Some couples have experienced difficulties in trying to prove their married last names without an updated driver's licence or passport and most airlines charge a change of name fee of several hundreds of dollars.

What documents do I need to change my last name after marriage?

If you are wanting to change your last name after marriage, your official Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) marriage certificate issued by the State or Territory office in which you were married is required as evidence of your right to use your spouse’s last name.

Almost every institution, company and Government agency you change your name with will need to see your official BDM marriage certificate and/or may ask for a photocopy or a certified copy.

Can I use the marriage certificate that we received on our wedding day to change my last name?

As I said above, the certificate that you receive on your wedding day is known as a presentation or commemorative certificate and is generally not accepted by most institutions as an official form of identification. This means that it can rarely be used as proof of your right to take your husband/wife/spouse's last name after marriage.

After your celebrant/religious minister lodges your paperwork with the BDM in the state or territory where your marriage was solemnised, they go about processing your marriage registration.

It is only after this process has taken place, that you are able to apply for an official BDM marriage certificate. Although you will not be notified of exactly when your marriage registration is complete, the process is meant to take around 4 weeks which can fluctuate during peak times (September to April).

Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) offices do not automatically send you a copy of your official BDM marriage certificate - you need to apply for it either online, via a form through the post, or in person. There is a cost of around $50 depending on which state you are in.

Here are the quick links to the various state/territory Births Deaths and Marriages offices in Australia:

Australian Capital Territory Access Canberra

New South Wales NSW Government

Northern Territory Births Deaths and Marriages

Queensland Births Deaths Marriages and Divorces

South Australia Births Deaths and Marriages

Tasmania Births Deaths and Marriages

Victoria Births Deaths and Marriages

Western Australia Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages

How do I change my last name after marriage?

Whether you do it yourself or get a company like Easy Name Change to help you, the process is quite similar.

1. Order your official BDM marriage certificate from the state of territory where your marriage was solemnised.

2. Take some photocopies of your photo ID under your old name before you apply to change it. Old driver’s licences often need to be surrendered, so it can help to have a copy should you need to prove your old last name before you receive the new photo ID.

3. Get some photo ID (driver’s licence or proof of age card) in your new name as soon as possible. Some companies accept undated photo ID as sufficient evidence as proof of name change.

4a. For those using a name change kit:

You’ll receive a personalised checklist that has each of your chosen companies and explains their name change process.
Send the forms, letters and emails - in many cases, you can just attach your marriage certificate and email/post.

4b. For those choosing to DIY:

Make a list of each institution/company where you want/need to change your last name. Create your own FREE customised online name change checklist HERE.
Search online or contact each company to learn what their name change procedure is. You may be asked to return a specific form, send a letter with a certified copy of your official BDM marriage certificate, visit a branch in person or a mixture of these.
Make note of the procedure and record the date of when you sent them the information they require to make the name change. If the name change does not occur, you may need these details to follow up with them.

No matter which way you go, there’s no getting around having to visit 2 to 3 places in person: driver’s licence, larger banks and Centrelink need you to front up with your official marriage certificate.

Popular company procedures

Here are some tips for the most common places you’ll need to contact to update your last name.

Driver’s Licence

An example of a Drivers Licence

Your name change always needs to be requested in person. Some states have special forms.
It can be useful to make your driver’s licence one of the first forms of I.D. you change as you may be able to use your updated license to prove your name has changed when dealing with other companies.
Most states make it free to have your driver's license changed, but your old license must be surrendered. (WA customers have a small charge)
All states require your original name change document (official BDM marriage certificate) and your current driver’s licence. You may get a new photo taken.
If you can't present a valid license when making the change you will be required to present a number of other identification documents and may need to pay a replacement fee.

WA    WA Licensing Services
      WA licence name change information
   Phone 13 11 56

NSW    Roads & Traffic Authority
    Roads & Traffic Authority name change information
   Phone 13 22 13

VIC    Vic Roads
     Vic licence name change information
   Phone 13 11 71

QLD   Department of Transport
     QLD license name change information
   Phone    13 23 80

SA    Department of Transport
     SA licence name change information
   Phone 13 10 84

TAS Department of Transport
Phone 1300 135 513

ACT ACT Road Transport Information
Phone 13 22 81

Australian Passport

You must have an official BDM marriage certificate or BDM relationship certificate and your current passport.
It is advisable to also have changed your last name on your driver’s licence prior to applying for a new passport.
If you were married overseas you will need to provide your foreign marriage certificate with an approved translation (if applicable) and your current passport.
Your passport will be updated with your new name, however the expiry date will remain as per your existing passport (providing you have 2 years remaining)
It's free to update your passport for any name change resulting from a change in relationship provided you have more than 2 years validity remaining, otherwise you must apply for a 10 year replacement passport and full fees are payable.
Applications must be made online. You need to save and print this out once completed.
All applicants will also need to lodge their application at the post office in person. Book your interview time online or call 13 7678.

If you are wanting to change your last name on your Australian passport, it is advisable to obtain a new driver’s licence first, as this may be requested as additional proof.

Medicare Card

It’s easiest to change names over the phone by calling 132 011. Be ready to provide the registration number from your wedding certificate. Your name is updated on the spot.
If you prefer, send a letter or email but the change will take 4 weeks longer.
Your Medicare number does not change, so you can continue to use your card while you wait for the new one to arrive. It takes about 3 weeks.
You and your spouse may both want to be on the same card. The purpose of having multiple people listed on one card is so that Medicare benefits can be paid to any person whose name appears on the card. It’s also handy when you have children. This requires the Medicare Transfer Form to be completed and sent in by post or email. It’s a separate process to a change of name, but can be done at the same time.

Australian Tax Office (ATO)

You can update your name online, over the phone, by mail or in person.
If you have the ATO linked to myGov, log in and navigate to ‘My Profile’ > ‘Personal Details’. Click the link to update your name and provide the registration number from your BDM marriage certificate.
You can change names over the phone by calling 13 28 61 during business hours. You will be asked to provide information to verify your identity, so before calling ensure you have the following Australian documents information at hand; BDM birth certificate or Australian citizenship certificate, passport, driver's license, Medicare card, BDM marriage certificate.
You can change names with the ATO by mail by returning the 'ATO Change of Details for Individuals' form with certified copies of the documents listed on the form.
You may instead visit any ATO shopfront with your original BDM marriage certificate and photo ID to have your name changed on the spot.

Your bank

· All larger banks want to see your official BDM marriage certificate in person and witness your signature

· Smaller banks may allow you to mail in a special form or letter with certified copies of your BDM marriage certificate and possibly photo ID.

· Certain mortgages require a signed statutory declaration.

Name Change Top Tips

Order your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) first.
Get photo ID in your new name as soon as possible. Some companies accept updated photo ID as proof of name change.
Take some photocopies of your photo ID under your old name before changing. Driver licenses often need to be surrendered, so it can help to have a copy should you ever need to prove your old name.
Set aside a day or two to get all your name change notifications done at once and visit the necessary places in person. Name changes that drag out can occupy a lot of head space and cause problems if you need to prove your identity.
Set a deadline for your name change. Aim to get all your accounts, memberships and paperwork into your new name within a month of starting.

When you purchase products or services through referral links on my website, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Changing NameName Change

Steve Mummery