<  previous    |    contents    |    next   >

The certificate (Form 15) you were presented with on your wedding day (referred to by Centrelink and other agencies as the Celebrant or Church-issued certificate, and others as the Presentation or Commemorative Certificate) will generally not be accepted by government and financial institutions/organisations.

The reason for this is that the Form 15 Certificate, while a legal document, is only proof that your marriage took place, but it provides no proof that the marriage has been registered.

1st step on the road to changing your name

 The

The first step to changing your name is to obtain the official certificate from Births Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where your wedding took place.

• Most institutions/organisations will ask to see your Official Marriage Certificate Births, Deaths and Marriages as proof, though some will accept a photocopy certified by a JP.
• Immigration requires a copy of the Official Marriage Certificate as proof that you have complied with conditions of your Visa.

Some organisations will require you to provide proof of marriage, so you’ll need to show them your official marriage certificate, but others, such as Medicare and the Electoral Office require photo ID in the new name.

2nd step on the road to changing your name

 The

The second step is to get yourself acceptable photo ID in your new name. That generally means having your passport and/or driver licence reissued in your new name.

• If you have at least 2 years before your Australian passport expires, and apply within 12 months of your marriage, the Passport Office will reissue your passport in your new name, free. You have to apply in the normal way, with form and photos, though.
• To change your driver licence,  take your official marriage certificate together with your original driver licence plus birth certificate to the relevant authority and ask to have it reissued in your new name.

Who should you tell?

 The

Identity

• Drivers Licence / Learners Permit / Boat Licence /18+ Card (Proof of Age Card)
• Passport (NB if you’ve booked airline tickets in your previous name, don’t change your passport until after you come home)
• Electoral Roll (can do that online once you’ve changed your Drivers Licence)

Work, Tax, Benefits

• Your workplace – HR Department
• Centrelink
• Australian Tax Office (can just do it on your next tax return)
• Child Support Agency
• Blue Card/Working with Children Card

Medical

• Medicare (need photo ID for this)
  
• Private Medical Insurer
  
• Doctor, Dentist, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist, Optometrist etc (after Medicare Card has been changed/Name changed with private Medical Insurance)

Financial

• Banks, including individual and joint accounts, credit cards, ATM cards, loans, term deposit accounts, mortgage
• Store cards and Rewards cards
• Superannuation, including Roll Over funds
• Trust accounts
• Car loans and other finance Loans
• No Interest Loans at stores

Business

• Yellow page listings
• Internet Business Accounts
• Accountant
• ABN
• Regulatory Bodies
• Professional Association memberships
  

House, Car, and Family

• Insurance- Car, House, Contents, Life, Funeral, Income Protection
• Utilities -  Water, Gas, Electricity
• Motoring Association (eg RACQ, NRMA) breakdown cover
• Council – Rates
• Real Estate Agency – For Rental
• Council - Animal Registration
• RTA for Bond
• Mobile phone accounts / Children’s phones in your name.
• Internet account and streaming services
  
• White Pages Listing
• Vets – including for pet micro-chipping
• Libraries
• Social Media - Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
• Schools or Daycares and Before and after School care.
• Leisure memberships eg sports clubs, gym membership

Related Information

 The

• Keeping your Name after Marriage, the Modern Option
• Changing Your Name - Legal or by Marriage?
  

Thanks for reading!