If you’re recently marriage, and have made the decision to change your name, there are a few key things you should know and some key pointers explained to make the process as simple and go as smoothly as possible. I’ve also tried to answer as many questions that you may have about the process below, if I have missed any let me know and I can add them.
Do I have to change my name?
No. Changing your name has zero. zip. zilch. to do with getting married, or being married. It is a choice that some people make and they have their own reasons for wanting to do it. These reasons can be as simple as “I just want to” to more complex familial pressures, traditions and connections to a name. The important thing to know is that it’s a choice people make, or don’t make, and you don’t have to do it at all.
Should I change my name before the wedding?
In most circumstances, no you shouldn’t. Getting married, and then using your registered marriage certificate (available to order from Births, Deaths and Marriage in the state in which you were married) is the simplest, easiest way to change your name. There are instances where a couple may choose to make changes to their legal name, before they are married, so they can have their preferred name on the marriage documents. This can be for reasons of personal preference, family estrangement, identity and various other circumstances. Couples who wish to make changes to their name before marriage should allow time, as it can be a long, and sometimes expensive process.
Who changes their name after getting married?
This is a discussion for the two of you and it’s a two way street. Together you can openly, honestly discuss your thoughts on which person should change their name, and to what, remembering that no one person has to change their name at all.
What do I change my name to after getting married?
It might surprise you to know there are a lot of options when it comes to changing your name. You can do everything from a straight swap, to hyphenating to creating a whole new name. But there are different processes for what you choose and I’ve outlined them below. For this I’ve used the example of my own maiden name (Atkinson) and my husband’s (Tippett).
Some of the name changing options are:
- I take my husband’s name Kerryn Atkinson > Kerryn Tippett
- My husband takes my name Michael Tippett > Michael Atkinson
- I hyphenate my last name Kerryn Atkinson-Tippett or Kerryn Tippett-Atkinson
- My husband hyphenates his last name Michael Tippett-Atkinson or Michael Atkinson-Tippett
- We both hyphenate to Atkinson-Tippett or Tippett-Atkinson
- We create a new name based on our existing names. Kerryn and Michael Titkinson (eek!) or Michael and Kerryn Atkinett.
- We create a whole new family name, of our own choosing. Kerryn and Michael Kardashian.
How do I change my name after marriage?
The first step is to apply for your marriage certificate from the Births, Deaths and Marriage office in the state in which you were married. This process used to take a few months but you can now apply online and have your certificate within a few weeks. The offices that you would apply to are listed here:
- NSW Services
- QLD Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces
- Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria
- NT.gov.au
- WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- SA Consumer and Business Services
- TAS Births, Deaths and Marriages
- ACT Access Canberra
The good news is that your celebrant can often apply for your certificate on your behalf, as long as the application is made within two months of the wedding date. I often invoice couples for the cost of the certificate and have it delivered via registered post within 14 days of their wedding.
How do I change my name with my marriage certificate?
Now that you have your registered marriage certificate, the leg work begins for the person doing the name changing. You may need to attend government offices, provide certified copies of your marriage certificate, or make a few phone calls. Unfortunately there is no “one solution” and every business has different requirements.
Where do I start when changing my name after getting married?
Drivers License
Once you have your registered marriage certificate the easiest thing to start with is your drivers license. Head into your local RTA, NSW Services of whatever the office that handles licenses is in your state. Go armed with some ID (as well as your marriage certificate). Most offices will have requirements about what you need to bring you, and there will also be a form to fill out as well. You can save a lot of time by checking the relevant authorities website.
- NSW Services
- QLD Transport and Motoring
- VIC Roads
- NT.gov.au
- Transport WA
- SA Driving and Transport
- Transport TAS
- ACT Access Canberra
Passport
At the time of posting, you can currently change your Australian passport for free within 12 months of your marriage. You keep the same expiry date, if your passport is due for renewal in 4 years time, you will still need to renew your passport in 4 years. If you have less than two years left on your passport, you will need to apply to change your name and pay for a passport renewal. The good news is when the newly named passport arrives it will have 10 years before it expires. You can read more about changing the name on your passport on The Australian Passport Office website.
If you have an international or overseas passport, you will need to check with either the embassy or spend some time googling to figure out how to change the name on this passport.
Government Offices
Medicare, Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink, Transport Authorities etc None of the government departments talk to each other when it comes to updating your personal details so you’re going to have to tackle each one seperately.
Utilities
The list of businesses you will need to contact can include:
- Home phone
- Internet
- Electricity
- Local Council
- Water
- Mobile Phone
- Rental Agents
- Banks
Other organisations that you may need to contact:
- Superannuation
- Insurances (Car, Home, Health etc)
- Gym memberships
- Libraries
- Subscription services (Netflix, Stan or just good old magazines and newsletters)
- Sporting Clubs
- Reward Programmes
- Travel and flight programmes (Velocity, Qantas points)
- Facebook, Instagram, Social Media
- Work Emails
- Employment related renewals (ie Registrations, Annual subscriptions)
Is there anyway to make it easier?
There are organisations, like NameChange.com.au, who will help you write your correspondence for a fee. But you’re still going to have to do a fair bit of leg work. Some businesses and organisations require you to supply ID or show up in person with the documents.
Helpful Tips When Changing Your Name
So you don’t miss anything, keep an eye on your mail. Look out for any company that it contacting you under a previous name and add them to the list of “businesses to contact” to get your name changed.
I’ve been advised I need to legally change my name, how do I do that?
There is a difference between changing your name after marriage, and legally changing your name. When you legally change your name, you surrender your birth certificate and are issued a completely new birth certificate in the name you have requested. Essentially, you are changing your name from the moment you arrived on this Earth rather than from the time you were married. I can also describe it this way, changing your name after marriage is like slipping on a new outfit. Changing your name legally is like slipping on a whole new skin.
If you want to, or are required, to legally change your name. You’ll still need to do this via the office that handles Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you were born.