Changing your name

Firstly, and most importantly, you can start calling yourself by your new married name straight away, but you cannot change drivers’ licences or passports etc without the registered certificate of marriage issued by the Victorian Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, (BDM).

The legals

Identification and accounts can only be updated once you have the official marriage certificate issued by Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM).

There’s no registration of your chosen married name. Simply contact the various organisations where you have accounts, memberships and identification and request your name has changed. Most companies want to see the BDM issued marriage certificate, not the pretty commemorative one you received on the wedding day.

Each company has a different process to follow, so it takes several weeks to do all research, get the forms, write letters and send off. If you hate paperwork and waiting on hold then check out Easy Name Change. Just check off the companies you need to update and get ready to send forms, letters and emails, plus researched instructions for each company. Got more questions?

Check our FAQs below.

How to update your records.

Your certificate of marriage will NOT have your married name on it, instead it is your previous name as that is the one that was used at the wedding, as per the law.  Just show the registered certificate of marriage to VicRoads, banks, power companies etc and they will change your name when they see the connection to the married name you want to use, ie, your partner’s surname.

To change your driver’s licence, here is some information at Vicroads.  https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/update-your-details/change-of-name

To change your passport, here is some information.   https://www.passports.gov.au/have-you-changed-your-name  If you have at least 2 years to go on your Australian passport before it expires you may be able to obtain a new passport free of charge.

It’s your choice if you decide to spend the time doing all the research and paperwork yourself, or if you want to spend a bit of money to cut this out. If you do decide to buy a name change kit, decide early on as you’ll save the most time and be stepped through the process and check off all the companies from the start.

If you decide to do it yourself, start with a great checklist. You can use free checklist builder or make your own. Next, contact each company on the list to learn their process. You may need to wait for companies to reply to your messages and perhaps send a form. Complete all forms and write letters. Ask where it should be sent and what proof to include.

No matter if you use a name change kit or DIY, you will need to visit 2 or 3 places in person; driver’s licence, larger banks and Centrelink.

Ordering your marriage certificate

We can order the registered certificate for you and the fee is $85 inclusive of the BDM costs.  We can only order it up till we have submitted the documents after the wedding to BDM. After that, you must apply for it yourself as we are unable to after the wedding.  To apply for it yourself BDM charge $65 including postage and you can apply here…BDM Apply for Certificate.

BDM take approximately 25 business days to post the certificate for you. If we have not ordered your certificate for you, we cannot follow up after the wedding regarding any delays unfortunately as we do not have access to the system.

A married name change is different to a legal name change

Did you know a married name is an ‘assumed name’? This means you are not legally obliged to always use your married name if you decide to make the switch. There’s no time frame to change either. You may decide against changing your name now, but may change your mind if planning a family later. You are legally entitled to go back to your former name at any time, regardless of your personal situation. When you show organisations the official marriage certificate they simply update the name on your existing account.

This means you can still have some accounts or identification under your former name, while all your other records are in your married name. If you are a beneficiary in an insurance policy or will, that document does not need to be updated because your former name still belongs to you. For simplicity, it’s easier to have all your accounts consistently under the same name.

One important legal consideration is that marriage immediately voids your will. No matter if you have a will or not, it’s important to create a new one soon after you’re married.

Marriage versus commemorative certificate

Did you know there are two different marriage certificates? This can cause some confusion!  You will receive a ceremonial wedding certificate on the wedding day. It is what I call the pretty certificate, and it is only issued once, so frame it, or place it in your photo album or with your other keepsakes.  You can never get it replaced if it is lost or damaged.  This certificate has no legal role in proving your marriage or identity.

Most companies will ask to see the official marriage certificate issued by Births Deaths and Marriages. It has more detailed information and a registration number that can be cross checked by some government departments and identity services, where you consent. This is the only document that is accepted for taking your spouse’s surname if you were married in Australia.

Marriage voids your will