If you’ve decided to change names it’s your responsibility to get all your accounts, memberships and identification moved over into your new name. There’s no one official place to ‘register’ your new name – just start using it! You’ll need a certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages to get started. The type of certificate depends on your reason for changing names. To take your spouse’s name or to remove it and go back to a former name, show your marriage certificate. To remove their surname also show proof of your former name, like your birth certificate. For any other change or if you were married overseas you’ll need to apply for a legal name change.
Do it yourself
If you’ve got a whole lot of time and patience you can manage the notification process yourself. Make a list of every company where you have an account, record, membership or identification. You’ll need to contact each one directly to ask what process to follow. You may be asked to return a form, send a letter or an email, visit a branch or do something different. Then set aside the time to write all your letters and emails.
Let us do it for you
We’ve already done the hard work. Check out our 800+ companies and simply select which ones you need to change names with. We’ll let you know exactly what to do with each company and provide all this information in a detailed personalised checklist. We’ll also provide ready to send forms, letters and emails, ready to sign and send!
The process
No matter if you research and create your own name change notifications and find all the correct company forms, or let us provide them for you, the same process should be followed by anyone changing names:
- Get your marriage certificate from Births Deaths and Marriages.
- Visit driver licencing offices and big banks in person with your original marriage or legal name change certificate.
- Either buy an Easy Name Change kit or else contact each company to check their procedure, wait for forms and write your letters and emails.
- Send off all notifications.
- Your name is usually changed within a few days of each company receiving your request. Some places, like the ATO, Medicare and passports can take 4 or more weeks.
Tips
- Update photo ID, such as driver’s licence or passport, first. This can be used as proof of your name change with smaller companies.
- Take a few photocopies of your licence and passport before changing names as your old one may need to be surrendered. You may find you need to prove your old name, even if several years down the track.
- Aim to get your name changed everywhere within a month. Name changes that drag out can become very frustrating when you need to prove your identity.
Ready to get started?
It’s free to browse our database and see who we can provide name change procedures and paperwork for. All you need is 10 minutes and the hardest part will be done.
