Fill in a change of name under 18 years application form

Use this application form to change your child's name if they are under 18 years old and they were born overseas and have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months (and currently live here).

Then you will need to print and sign your completed form before submitting it along with supporting documents to us.

Step 1—Complete this part online

  1. Start by answering the question below—it should take you less than 15 minutes.
  2. Choose how you would like to pay.
  3. Review your details.
  4. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
  5. Download and print the completed application form.

Step 2—Complete on paper and submit

  1. Have another adult (18 or older) witness your signature(s) in the declaration section. This includes your child’s signature if they are aged 12 to 17.
  2. Gather your proof of ID and supporting documents.
  3. Proof of ID documents must be submitted by post with your signed application. When submitting by post, have your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
  4. Submit your application form and supporting documents to us
    1. by post to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, PO BOX 15188, CITY EAST  QLD  4002
    2. in person by requesting an interview appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Step 3—What next

  1. If your application is approved, you will need to change your child's name everywhere they are registered in the community.
  1. Can you change your child's name?
    1. Was your child’s birth registered overseas? *
    2. Has your child lived in Queensland for at least 12 months? * (If you chose 'Yes' above)
    3. Have you changed your child’s family name in Queensland in the last 12 months? * (If you chose 'Yes' above)
    4. If your child is 12 to 17, do they understand the meaning and implication of changing their name? * (If you chose 'No' above)
    5. Are you the child’s birth parent or legal guardian, or do you have legal authority? * (If you chose 'Yes/Not applicable' above)
    6. *
    7. Do you have all the proof you need for identification? * View the proof of ID you will need to show us for both parents and evidence of residency for your child (if born overseas).
  2. Fill in your application form Fill in the application before downloading and printing it.
    1. *
      1. Child's name at birth These are the first names and family name on your child's birth certificate.
    2. Child's new name
        If your application is approved, these are the first names and family name your child will use and will appear on their certificate. You will need to change their name everywhere they are registered in the community.
    3. Previous change(s) to your child's name
      1. Has your child's name been changed before? *
      2. Other names your child has used
        (If you chose ‘Yes’ above)
        1. You will need to show us supporting documents for any other change of name for your child.
        2. If your child has assumed a name they use in the community that is different to the name on their birth certificate, speak to the organisations you deal with. We can’t change your child's name back to the name on their birth certificate, where both names are the same (i.e. Jane Doe to Jane Doe).
        3. Previous name
        4. Has the above name been entered in the Queensland Change of Name Register? *
          • Choose 'Yes' only if you have submitted a change of name application for your child with us before.
    4. Mother's name As shown on your child's birth certificate.
    5. Father or parent's name If there is no father or parent on your child's birth certificate enter n/a.
    6. Other names parents or guardians have used
      1. Has a parent's or guardian's name changed since your child's birth? *
      2. Details of parent's or guardian's name change
        (If you chose 'Yes' above)
        1. You will need to show us supporting documents for any change of name since your child's birth.
        2. Previous name
        3. What is their relationship to your child? *
        4. You will need to show us evidence of legal guardianship and a Queensland Magistrates Court order. Court approval may state that more than 1 parent/guardian must apply.
        5. Has another parent or guardian's name changed since your child's birth? *
      3. Details of other parent or guardian's name change (If you chose 'Yes' above)
        1. Previous name
        2. Relationship to the child *
        3. You will need to show us evidence of legal guardianship and a Queensland Magistrates Court order. Court approval may state that more than 1 parent/guardian must apply.
    7. Is only one parent or a guardian applying to change the child's name? *
    8. Only one parent or guardian applying (If you chose ‘Yes’ above)
      1. If both parents are listed on your child's birth certificate, both parents need to apply. One listed parent will need a Queensland Magistrates Court approval to apply.
    9. Child's birth details
        1. You will need to show us your child's birth certificate. If the original birth certificate is not in English, you must have it translated into English by an accredited translator.
        2. Place of birth As shown on your child's birth certificate.
        3. Has your child lived in Queensland for at least the last 12 months? *
        4. You will need to show us evidence that your child currently lives here and has lived in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).
        5. We can only change your child's name if you have been living in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more). You can contact us if you need more information about this.

          Online: our general enquiry form.

          By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

          International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)

          (Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)

          *Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

        6. Is your child an Australian citizen? *
        7. Details as shown on citizenship (If you chose ‘Yes’ above)
        8. You will need to show us your child's citizenship certificate.
          1. Child's name (as shown on citizenship certificate)
          2. Place of birth If shown on your child's citizenship certificate.
    10. Who is applying (Applicant A)
      1. What is your relationship to the child? *
      2. You will need to show us evidence of legal guardianship and a Queensland Magistrates Court order. Court approval may state that more than 1 parent/guardian must apply.
      3. Your current name (as shown on your proof of ID)
      4. Home address
      5. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *
      6. Postal details (If you chose ‘No’ above)
        1. Postal address
      7. *
      8. Order details
        1. Proof of ID documents must be submitted with your signed application. When submitting your signed application by post, have your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
        2. Type of certificate
          1. 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 your child's birth details.
          2. What type of certificate would you like to order? * The application fee includes 1 free certificate.
      9. Additional certificates There is a cost for each additional certificate to be paid when the application is made.
      10. Priority * Tick one option
      11. These timeframes start when we receive your required documents by post or at your interview appointment.
      12. Type of post * Australia Post delivery timeframes

        1. The total cost is:

    11. Ensure the safe delivery of your certificate

      You have changed the type of post. We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you securely within Australia.

      Important update

      Australia Post are suspending their express post guarantee of next-day delivery. Express post is still available and treated as a priority, but may not be delivered the next business day every time. Normal application processing timeframes still apply.

      Important information

      We value identity protection and you have chosen a more secure delivery outside Australia. However, be aware that international registered mail can’t be tracked, and signing is not available in every country.

    12. Who is applying (Applicant B)
      1. What is your relationship to the child? *
      2. You will need to show us evidence of legal guardianship and a Queensland Magistrates Court order. Court approval may state that more than 1 parent/guardian must apply.
      3. Your current name (as shown on your proof of ID)
      4. Home address
      5. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *
      6. Postal details (If you chose ‘No’ above)
        1. Postal address
      7. *
    13. How would you like to pay for your order? *
    14. Before I complete my application *

      Remember

      You will need to submit your proof of ID, supporting documents and signed application along with payment (if not paying online) to us either:

      • •   by post
      • •   in person, by booking an appointment with us.

Don't use this form

You need to complete a different form if your child was born or adopted in Queensland.

Otherwise, see a list of interstate registry offices.

Don't use this form

We can only change your child's name if they have been living in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).

Otherwise, see a list of interstate registry offices.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's family name more than once in 12 months.

Your child must understand and consent to the change of name

We can't process your application if your child doesn't understand the meaning and implication of the change of name. You can contact us if you need more information about this.

Online: our general enquiry form.

By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)

(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's name until you have authority.

Learn more about this in our change of name policy.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's name until you can prove your identity. You can contact us if you need more information about this.

Online: our general enquiry form.

By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)

(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

Privacy notice
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General is collecting your personal information for the purpose of processing your application for change of name under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2003. The information on this form may be provided to law enforcement agencies and to government and non-government agencies for verification of the data. Access to this information or a certificate may be granted to any person who has adequate reason to obtain it, or who meets the requirements of the access policy.