Sometimes couples want to change their names, once they’re married.
If you do want to, there’s just a couple of things to be aware of:
- 1. There is no automatic name change in Australia, and
- 2. There is no central point on contact to change your name.
If you want to change your surname, you will need to take your official marriage certificate (the one that Birth
Deaths and Marriages can send to you, if you request it once married) to all the places you wish to change your name.
This means you have to change your name at each Government Agency and Private Institution you wish to change your name at. Yes it’s a bit of a long winded process!
You may need to visit the offices of where you want to change your name.
The main ones to start with might be things like:
- Your bank(s)
- Service NSW
- Medicare
- Electoral Roll
One thing to note is that this only works if you want to simply swap your surname for your partner's surname. If you wish to hyphen or merg your surnames, you’ll need to go through the change of name process in your state.
So it’s a bit long winded. But obviously lots of people do it.
Wishing you a happy wedded new life with a new name :)