Change your child's name

To change your child’s name in the ACT they must have had their birth registered in the ACT or be a permanent resident of the ACT.

If your child is aged 14 or older, they must give their consent by signing the form.

Apply to change your child's name

Applications must be made by both parents of the child unless:

• there is only one parent named on the child’s birth certificate
• there is only one surviving parent of the child. You will need to provide a death certificate for the deceased parent
• one parent has parental responsibility for decisions about the child’s name until they are 18 years old
• the ACT Supreme Court or any Court in Australia has made an order or a finding to allow the child’s name to be changed by one parent.

A person granted sole parental responsibility under a court order needs the consent of the other parent unless stated in the order.

As part of the name change form, you can request a new birth certificate if the child’s birth was registered in the ACT. If born outside the ACT you can request a change of name certificate.

View types of birth certificate and samples.

Following the registration of a change of name, your child’s birth certificate will include former name details. These details can be removed in certain circumstances to protect your child’s privacy. Email bdm@act.gov.au for further information.

What you'll need

You’ll need to:

1. Complete an Application to register a change of name for a child (PDF 396KB) (DOCX 173KB)
2. provide 3 forms of proof of your identity, with at least one being Primary proof of identity
3. your child’s original birth certificate.
4. if your child was born overseas, provide one of either their Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate or permanent residency visa
5. if your child was born in another Australian state or territory or overseas, provide proof of your ACT residency
6. if you are applying without the consent of the other parent listed on the child’s birth certificate you will need to provide supporting documentation, for example a court order
7. submit it:
   • by email to bdm@act.gov.au. Access Canberra will contact you to pay the fee
   • by post to GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601. Access Canberra will contact you to pay the fee
   • in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre. Pay the fee when you apply.

View the acceptable forms of identification.

View the acceptable proof of residency documents.

Applications made by a young person (under 18 years old)

There are ways that people under 18 can change their given names.

Read more about young people changing their names.