So you have made the vow and now you want to be joined in name as well as holy matrimony? The good news is, it's possible; the bad news, it takes a lot of forms to change it EVERYWHERE!
So where do you start?
Get your official marriage certificate from the BDM
Once we have completed your ceremony, all of the legal forms you signed get sent or lodged by me with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Because the pretty certificate you signed and kept on the day is purely commemorative, you need to apply for a formal marriage certificate which is used for all legal purposes, including name change. It can take a little time for the BDM to process your docs, so maybe wait 14 days post your ceremony to apply for this.
Decide on your new name!
Either of you can choose to take the other's name or you can choose to hyphenate the two names together. The great news is NSW makes this super easy.
“If you were married in Australia a formal Change of Name is not required if you wish to take your spouse’s name. A BDM Marriage Certificate is usually sufficient evidence to have personal documentation, such as your driver’s licence and passport, changed to your married surname.”
So once you get your formal certificate in the post (you will have to be home to sign for it), front up to a Service NSW site to have your driver's licence changed.
Want to both adopt a third-party new name altogether, why not, but it's a little more complicated and you will need to go through another formal process to get that ball rolling.
Driver's Licence
Visit Service NSW with your marriage certificate issued by the BDM and current licence. This has to be done with 14 days of changing your name, so if you change it on another document first, your clock has started!
Australian Passport
To obtain a new passport for a name change due to marriage, you will need to present a marriage certificate issued by the BDM, a completed application, current passport and photographs.
A gratis passport (i.e. free of charge) will only be issued if you apply for your new passport within 12 months of your marriage. The passport being replaced should have at least 2 years validity remaining otherwise you will be unable to replace the gratis document using the streamlined renewal process. In these circumstances, the new passport would only be issued up to the date of validity of the current passport.
In all other circumstances, the full fee will have to be paid for a new passport.
The replacement passport will be issued with the same expiry date as the passport being replaced.
Medicare
Changes to your Medicare card details must be done in person at your local service centre. Supporting documentation and the marriage certificate issued by the BDM or your new licence displaying the name change is needed to change details. Once your details have been changed, they will cancel your old card and keep it. You will be given a temporary card to use until you receive your new card in the mail.
Your Bank
You might interact with your bank on a daily basis, in person or online, so updating your details with them is important. You’ll need your BDM issued marriage certificate to get this changed.
Visit your local branch with your document and another form of ID (like passport or driver’s licence) and get your name updated.
A name change on an account can be instant but changing the name on a card means a new card has to be produced and sent. This may take a week or longer. Once you’ve requested your new cards you may have to update direct debits you’ve set up. In most cases you should still have the same card number. You should contact the direct debit service providers to make sure your name, card and direct debits match.
Socials
Who are we kidding, that change can be instant - no proof required!
Everywhere else!!
This is possibly the part where the reality of the task starts to get you down...
Here are just SOME of the other places you will need to consider changing your name.
Australian Electoral Roll via AEC
Australian Taxation Office(ATO)
Centrelink
Utilities (electricity, gas, water)
Communications (mobile & home phone)
Internet
Pay TV / Netflix
Insurance (car, house, health, life, income protection)
Superannuation
Investments and shares
Frequent Flyer
Loyalty Clubs
Auto clubs (RACV)
Sports clubs (racing clubs, football clubs)
Memberships (library, gym, etc)
Magazine subscriptions
Australian Business registrar (if you are a director of a company)
Local council (if you pay rates)
Landlord/agent (if renting) and rental bonds
Alumni (university, high school)
Your children’s school (if applicable)
Professional services (your accountant, lawyer, health care specialists)
Road toll accounts
Australian Organ Donor Register
Pet microchip company
Voicemail
Your will (marriage immediately voids any prior will)
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