Changing your family name after marriage, separation or divorce
If you were married in Australia, you don't generally need to apply to change your name with us.
The same applies if you choose to go back to your previous family name due to separation, divorce or personal choice.
Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need about your change of name, as well as how to tell them, so you should contact them directly.
This page helps you find out what documentation you may need and how to go about changing your name after marriage, or changing it back because of separation, divorce or personal choice.
Changing your family name after marriage
What you will need
Answer the questions to identify whether you may need to apply to change your name with us.
How to change your name through marriage
If you choose to change your family name when you get married, you’ll need to tell various government agencies, banks, utility suppliers and other businesses your married name.
Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need for your change of name; some may want to see:
- your official marriage certificate
- a certified photocopy of your official marriage certificate
- evidence of updated photo ID
- a combination of identity documents.
Personal documentation, such as your driver licence and passport, can be changed to your married name using an official marriage certificate (but not the certificate issued by your celebrant at your wedding ceremony).
Apply for an official marriage certificate if you need a certificate from us.
Changing back to your previous family name
What you will need
Answer the questions to identify whether you may need to apply to change your name with us.
How to change your name due to separation, divorce or personal choice
If you chose to change your family name when you got married, you may choose to go back to your previous family name due to separation, divorce or personal choice.
Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need for your change of name. Some may want to see:
- your official birth and marriage certificates
- certified copies of your official birth and marriage certificates
- evidence of updated photo ID
- a combination of identity documents.
Personal documentation, such as your driver licence and passport, can be changed to your previous name using an official marriage certificate (but not the certificate issued by your celebrant at your wedding ceremony) and evidence of separation/divorce (if applicable).
Apply for an official birth certificate or marriage certificate if you need a certificate from us.
Learn more about:
- getting an interstate or overseas certificate
- applying for a divorce document
- changing your name on your Australian passport
- changing your name with Transport and Main Roads in Queensland
Contact us
Online: our general enquiry form.
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.