If you married overseas, you cannot obtain an Australian marriage certificate for that marriage. Some organisations accept a foreign marriage certificate, but others require an Australian change of name certificate. Registering a legal name change through Births, Deaths and Marriages provides consistent proof for updating your Australian identification and accounts.
A marriage performed overseas is generally recognised in Australia if it was valid in the country where it took place and would have been valid under Australian law.
However, an Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages registry cannot issue a marriage certificate for an overseas wedding.
Some organisations accept a foreign marriage certificate as proof of your married name. However, most banks and identification providers require a marriage or legal name change certificate issued by an Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages registry.
If you were married overseas, permanently reside in Australia and have banks and super funds to update, we recommend applying for a legal name change with Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Not necessarily for every organisation.
A foreign marriage certificate may be accepted if it was issued by the relevant overseas authority and is in English or accompanied by an accepted translation.
However, each organisation sets its own requirements. Acceptance by one organisation does not mean your certificate will be accepted everywhere.
A registered legal name change gives you Australian-issued evidence connecting your former and new names. Easy Name Change tells you what proof each selected organisation accepts, helping you decide whether applying for a legal name change is necessary.
If you were born in Australia, apply through Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where your birth was registered. Your name change is generally recorded against your birth registration, allowing you to order a birth certificate showing your new and previous names.
If you were born overseas, apply through the BDM registry in the state or territory where you live. If approved, you will receive a change of name certificate.
Eligibility and residency requirements vary between jurisdictions.
Read our guide to applying for a legal name change for current application links and requirements in each Australian state and territory.
Requirements for a legal name change vary between BDM registries, but you will generally need:
You may also need your overseas marriage certificate or an explanation of why you are changing your name.
Documents not written in English may require a translation from an accepted translator. Check your BDM registry’s instructions before arranging translations or certified copies.
Easy Name Change includes the relevant legal name change application and instructions in your personalised kit where available.
Your records are not updated automatically.
You need to notify your driver licensing authority, passport office, Medicare, Centrelink, the ATO, banks, super funds, employer, insurers and every other organisation holding your former name.
Easy Name Change maintains name change procedures for more than 750 Australian organisations. Select the organisations you use and receive personalised forms, letters, emails and instructions explaining:
Passport evidence requirements can differ from other organisations. Read our guide to changing your Australian passport after marriage before applying or booking travel in your new name.
Easy Name Change can help you prepare the legal name change application and the notifications needed once your new certificate arrives.
Select your organisations, review your personalised paperwork, attach the listed proof and send each request.