The information on this page applies to people born in Australia and/or people currently living in Australia.
To change the name on your passport, you must do all of the following:
- obtain an approved name change document from the list below.
- complete a PC8 Application for an Australian Passport Overseas application (not a renewal). Go to www.passports.gov.au to set up an account and create your application.
- complete all standard requirements on the application form, including a guarantor, an ID combination, and new photos. Please use our checklists to make sure your application is complete.
- lodge your application form in person at one of our offices.
If this is your first application, you need to provide name change documents if your name has changed from your Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate. Check the information below to find out what name you can have on your passport.
Changing to a married name
If you were married overseas you must apply for a name change certificate through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state you were born. We cannot accept your foreign marriage certificate to change your passport name, even if you have used it to change your name on other documents. Once you receive your new certificate from RBDM, you can make an appointment to lodge your PC8 Application for an Australian Passport Overseas application.
If you were married in Australia you must apply for your official marriage certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state you were married. You cannot use the ceremonial certificate you received on the day of your marriage. Once you receive your new certificate from RBDM, you can make an appointment to lodge your PC8 Application for an Australian Passport Overseas application.
Please note that an Australian marriage certificate can be used to change your last name only. If you wish to make changes to your given names, please apply for a RBDM name change certificate.
Divorce and other name changes
If you are changing your name on divorce or for any other reason, you must present one of the documents below in your new name. If you don't have one of these documents in your new name, you should apply for a name change certificate through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state you were born. Once you receive your new certificate from RBDM, you can make an appointment to lodge your PC8 Application for an Australian Passport Overseas application.
Document we accept for the name to go in your passport
Your passport can be issued in the name exactly as it appears on your most recent Australian passport issued on or after 20 August 1986 with a validity of at least two years at the time it was issued.
Notes
You can use this option if you had an emergency/temporary passport issued after your most recent regular passport.
You can use this option if your most recent passport issued on/after 20 August 1986 has been lost or stolen, as we will confirm your name through our records.
You cannot use this option if any of the following apply to you:
- your most recent passport was issued before 20 August 1986
- you have subsequently registered a new name with an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- you have subsequently obtained an Australian citizenship certificate in a new name
Your passport can be issued in the name exactly as it appears on your current Australian birth certificate.
Notes
You cannot use this option if either of the following apply to you:
- you have subsequently registered a new name with an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- you have subsequently obtained an Australian citizenship certificate in a new name
Your passport can be issued in the name exactly as it appears on your current Change of Name certificate or Revised Birth Certificate from an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM).
Tip
If you were married overseas, this is the document you need. You can register your new name with the RBDM in the state where you born to obtain one of these certificates.
You can use a marriage certificate or registered relationship certificate issued by an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to change your surname (last name) on your passport.
Notes
- Your given names (first names) on your new passport will remain the same as the most recent name on your:
- Australian birth certificate, or
- Australian citizenship certificate, or
- Previous passport issued after 20 August 1986
2. Ceremonial certificates issued on the day of your wedding are not accepted. Your must have an official certificate issued by the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state where you were married. Official RBDM certificates are not issued automatically upon marriage so you may need to apply for yours.
3. For people born outside Australia or who hold an Australian citizenship certificate, your RBDM marriage or registered relationship certificate must be registered before the date you acquired Australian citizenship or registered any formal change of name on your citizenship certificate.
Your passport can be issued in the name exactly as it appears on your Australian citizenship certificate.
Notes
You do not need to present your citizenship certificate at your interview.
Please provide documents that show the link from the name on your birth certificate to the name on your citizenship certificate - e.g. a marriage certificate or court order.
In limited circumstances, you may be able to use the name on an Australian deed poll.
Notes
Please contact your lodging office before scheduling your interview to determine if your deed poll document is eligible.
If you do not have one of these documents
If you don't have one of the documents above in the name you want, you must obtain one before we can accept an application in your new name.
If you are changing your name for the first time, you should apply for a change of name certificate from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state where you were born. Alternatively, you could apply for an Australian citizenship certificate in your new name with the Department of Home Affairs.
Fees
If you have more than two years validity remaining on your current passport at the time of your interview, you can replace it free of charge if you are changing your name due to:
- marriage
- divorce
- entering into or ceasing to be in a registered or de facto relationship
- the death of a spouse of partner
- transitioning to a new gender
The new passport will be issued with the same expiry date as the passport being replaced. You must provide evidence of your change in status - e.g. foreign marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc. You still need to pay the courier fee to have your new passport sent to you if you do not collect it in person from your lodging office.
Alternatively, you can choose to pay the full application fee and overseas processing surcharge to have a new passport issued for 10 years (or 5 years for children 15 years and younger).
If you are changing your name for other reasons, you can pay the replacement passport fee (no overseas processing surcharge applies) or choose to have a new 10 year passport (or 5 years for children 15 years and younger) issued at the regular price.