Change of Name (Deed Poll Name Change)

Changing your name by deed poll is no longer applicable in Australia. This process is now known as a legal name change.  To change your name legally you need to lodge an application with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.  Once you have your Name Change Certificate or amended birth certificate you need to notify all the organisations where you have an account or membership as quickly as possible.

When changing your name, you have two options:

1) Name change by association. Notify family, friends and colleagues of your new name and start using it immediately. Your name change will have taken effect by reputation in the community and you can use your new name without taking any formal steps. Certain organisations will not issue official documentation under your new name (such as the passport office and banks), so you will still have your old name on legal documentation but have a new name in the community by association.

2) Undertake a legal name change via the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM). This process is best if you want to have your identity documents such as your passport and driver’s licence, changed into your new name.

Who can change their name?

Any Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 years or over can apply for a legal name change at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

Where do I lodge my name change application?

You can apply in the state where you were born, or in many cases you can also apply in the state where you currently reside. See the table at the bottom of the page for details on which state you can lodge your application in.  If you live in a different state from where you were born you may need to provide evidence you have lived in that state for a minimum amount of time before being eligible to change your name.  If you were born overseas you can lodge your appplication in the state where you currently reside but may need to show evidence of address.

How long does it take and what is the cost?

Assuming you purchase an Easy Name Change personalised kit, you could expect to have most of your documents and paperwork changed to your new name within 8-10 weeks.

There is a separate fee payable directly to RBDM in addition to any Easy Name Change kit purchased. Fees vary significantly from state to state.  There is usually a non-refundable element, with a successful application costing between $50 and $160.  For more information on current name change fees for your state check the Easy Name Change Guide in your kit or contact RBDM.

Here's the main steps in legally changing your name and aproximate timings:

• 0 days Easy Name Change kit delivered via email (allow 5-8 days for delivery of premium kits)
  
• 1-2 weeks Gather required information, complete and lodge name change application with RBDM
  
• 6 weeks RBDM Certificate of Name Change mailed to successful applicants.  This could move 2 weeks either way depending on your state and current  backlog
  
• 1 week Easy Name Change letters sent to your listed organisations and your records are updated
  

How do I inform companies of my new name?

Once you have legally changed your name you need to start using your new name immediately and you must notify all organisations of your new name as soon as possible.  The average person typically needs to notify around 20 companies of their new name.  Ensure your driver's licence and passport are given priority.

All Easy Name Change kits provide the forms you need to legally change your name and step by step instructions on how to lodge your application.  Our personalised kits give you access to name change procedures, letters and forms for over 300 Australian companies, including utilities, banks, telecommunications, super funds and more.  Our personalised kits provide you with personalised letters for all companies that allow name change by mail, so you just need to sign, enclose documents listed on the bottom of each letter, and post!  If you can change your name by fax or phone we give you all the information you need.

If you purchase an Easy Name Change personalised name change kit and have not yet lodged your name change application we recommend using the date selection feature to postdate your letters 6 to 8 weeks, allowing time for your name change certificate to come back from RBDM before sending out your name change letters.

Save yourself up to 8 hours of downloading forms, writing letters and calling for mailing addresses. The less time you spend chasing information, the sooner you can get on with life! It’s as simple as:

1. Sign up for an Easy Name Change personalised kit for only $29.95. We provide you with all the information and forms you need to legally change your name and write all your name change letters for you
2. Gather all your supporting documents.  These are listed on each Easy Name Change personalised letter. Most companies will want to see your original name change certificate or a copy.  Some may also need certified ID.
   
3. Sign letters, add supporting documentation where indicated, slide into a window faced envelope and post!

What state should you lodge your application in?

        Your birth state         Born interstate, but reside in
NSW            Y                           N
VIC             Y                           Y *
QLD            Y                           N
WA             Y                           Y *
SA              Y                           Y *
TAS            Y                           Y *
ACT            Y                           Y *
NT              Y                           Y *

* You will need to prove you have lived in the state for 3 months immediately prior to your application.

Born overseas?  You can lodge your application in the state where you currently reside.  You may need to prove that you have been a resident of that state for a certain period of time immediately prior to your application.  If you are not a citizen please read our section on name change for non citizens.

Special Circumstances

If a protection order has been made to protect you and/or your children from domestic violence you may lodge your application without having to meet birth state or residence requirements.

Change Your Name The Easy Way™

Easy Name Change™ provides you a personalised and complete letter or fax for every company you need to notify of your new name. Our customers save around 6 hours as they don't need to do any research or letter writing. You don't even need to address an envelope!

Whether you are changing your name from marriage, divorce, separation or legally, Easy Name Change provides complete name change kits to suit any budget. Click here to start building your personalised name change kit.

Select Your Name Change Kit

	premium	personalised	basic
Company Contact Directory
Custom Name Change Forms
Covering all states & territories
Select from over 350 Organisations
Name Change requirements for every company
Personalised Name change letters
Windowed DL/DX Envelope Ready
All Letters, Forms & Envelopes printed & delivered ready for you to sign.
Secure Storage of Personal Data*
Instant Email Delivery**
Updated Regularly (Last Updated Jan 2012)
Moneyback Satisfaction Guarantee***
Cost (inc GST)	$69.95	$29.95	$14.95