Changing your Queensland-born or adopted child's name before they turn 18

If your child was born or adopted in Queensland, you can change their:

• first name(s)
  • once with us before their first birthday

  and

  • once between the ages of 1 and 18
• family name any number of times (once every 12 months)

Find out how to apply to changing your child’s first name before they turn 1.

If your child was born or adopted:

• in another Australian state or territory, you need to apply to the interstate registry office.
• overseas find out how to apply.

When you apply you can choose to have your child’s new name shown on their birth certificate—otherwise, their birth certificate will only note that a name change occurred and won’t show their new name.

If your application is approved, we will send an official certificate showing the child's name  has been changed and you will need to change your child's name everywhere they are registered in the community.

To submit an application to change your child's name in person at the Brisbane registry, request an interview appointment.

You must book an appointment for each change of name application you are submitting to us.

Certificate options

The application fee includes 1 free certificate. You have to pay for any additional certificates.

If your child was born or adopted in Queensland, can choose to order a birth certificate (with or without sex shown) or a change of name certificate (or a combination of the 3).

Change of name certificates only provide some birth information, the new name and any previous change of name registered in Queensland by us. They are not proof of birth details—you can choose to change the details on your child’s birth certificate.

Documents you will need to provide

If your child was born or adopted in Queensland, you must provide:

• certified proof of ID for both registered parents (read the rules below if you are a single parent or have legal parental responsibility)
• evidence explaining the reason if your or your child’s current name is different to the name on their birth certificate, such as
  • marriage certificate
  • family deed poll document
  • change of name document.

Your application will not be approved if:

• you have not provided enough documentation to establish your identity
• the change of name appears to be for a fraudulent or other improper purpose
• the name you’ve chosen is a prohibited name.

Detailed rules and requirements are outlined in our change of name and prohibited name policies.

If only one of the parents shown on your child’s birth certificate is applying, you will need additional evidence to support this, such as a court order or death certificate.

Rules for changing your child’s names

To change your child’s names between 1 and 18, you must:

• not have changed your child’s first name before or only before their first birthday
• not have changed your child’s family name in the past 12 months
• have consent from the authorised parent(s) or person(s)
• have your child consent to changing their name (if aged 12 to 17)
• choose a new name that is not a prohibited name
• give a detailed reason for your child’s name change.

Who can apply

If both parents are shown on a child’s birth certificate, both parents need to consent to changing their child’s name.

If you are a single parent, you can apply to change your child’s name if one of the following applies:

• you are the child’s parent and there are no details for your child’s other parent on the birth certificate
• you have Queensland Magistrates Court order, ordering a change of name
• one parent is deceased a death certificate is required
• you have sole parental responsibility under a Family Law order.

If you have legal parental responsibility for the child (i.e. under a Family Law order, a Child Protection order, or a will), you can apply to change the child’s name but you must provide evidence.

Read more about the evidence you will need to have.

Otherwise, you can only apply if you have a Queensland Magistrates Court order approving the change of name.

How to apply

To apply to change your child’s name, you need to:

1. Read and understand the rules above.
2. Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
3. Review your details.
4. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
5. Have your proof of ID and supporting documents for both parents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
6. Have another adult (18 or older) witness your signature(s) on the declaration section of the application form. This includes your child's signature if they are aged 12 to 17.
7. Submit your signed application form, supporting documents and payment (if you chose not to pay online) to us
   1. by post
   2. in person by requesting an appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre.

Fill in the changing your child's name application form

Submit by post

Post your completed application form with your certified documents and payment (if you didn't pay online to) to:

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST   QLD  4002

We will begin to process your application when we receive it along with your documents.

Submit in person by requesting an appointment

To submit your completed application form in person, you need to book a 15-minute interview appointment with a registry officer.

This online service allows you to choose the date and time of your appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.

To book your appointment, you will be asked for your name, email and mobile number, and you will get an email confirming your appointment. The email will also allow you to easily reschedule or cancel your booking, if necessary.

Privacy notice

The Department of Justice, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your appointment booking online and for contacting you in relation to your appointment. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled according to with the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009.

Other booking options

To book your interview appointment contact us.

Brisbane registry contact details

Located at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm

Public holidays: Closed

By phone

Local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.