Name of the Organization : Australian Capital Territory Office of Regulatory Services
Type of Facility : Apply For Change of Name
Country : Australia
Website : http://www.ors.act.gov.au/community/births_deaths_and_marriages/changes_of_name
Apply For Change of Name :
The Office of Regulatory Services is responsible for the administration of legislation relating to the registration of certain events that occur in the A.C.T.
Related : Australian Capital Territory Government Apply For Birth Certificate Access Canberra : www.statusin.org/6925.html
such as births, deaths, marriages, changes of name, changes of sex, adoptions and deaths abroad, and provides certificates of registrations to authorised applicants. For counter applications you will be required to attend our shopfront at Fyshwick. Please refer to Contact Us for further details. For further information regarding other registrations and certificates refer to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Changing your name in the ACT:
In the ACT, a person is legally able to change his or her name. If a person alters or changes their name with the intention to act fraudulently or with an intention to deceive, they may be subject to criminal proceedings.
Occasions arise where a person will be asked to provide proof of a change of name (for example as proof of identity or to obtain a passport). For these reasons a person may be required to formally register a Change of Name with the Office of Regulatory Services.
Applicants born in the ACT should note that the Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997 (the Act) requires the Office of Regulatory Services to alter the birth register to reflect the change of name by altering the person’s record. This means that when a new birth certificate is issued, it will show the person’s name as changed and the person’s birth name and any other previous names are recorded on the reverse side of the certificate.
Changing your name after marriage:
If you were married in Australia a formal Change of Name is not required if you wish to take your spouse’s name. A Standard Marriage Certificate is usually sufficient evidence to have personal documentation, such as your driver’s licence and passport changed to your married surname.
Changing your name after getting married overseas:
While marriages that occur overseas cannot be registered in Australia, an overseas marriage will generally be recognised as valid if:
** the marriage is recognised as valid under the law of the country where the marriage took place;
** the marriage is between a man and a woman and both bride and groom are at least 18 years old; and,
** neither the bride nor the groom is marriage to any other person at the time of marriage.
You are not required under ACT law to undertake a legal change of name as a result of marriage. However, if you have been married overseas and choose to change your name, some organisations will require you to legally change your name before they will update your details. This is due to difficulties in authenticating some marriage certificates from overseas. For example, drivers licence, passports and some banks.
If you were born in the ACT and you apply to register a change of name with our office, that registration will be reflected on your birth record.
Forms and Fees : http://www.ors.act.gov.au/community/births_deaths_and_marriages/forms_and_fees
I want to change my name:
To change your name in the ACT you must either have had your birth registered in the ACT or be a permanent ACT resident. You may apply to change your name by completing an Application to Register a Change of Name for an Adult and by paying the prescribed fee.
Changes of name will not be registered unless the Registrar-General is satisfied of the identity and age of the applicant and that the change of name is not being sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose.
In order to assess your application you must provide:
** your original birth certificate;
** if born overseas a current Australian Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate or permanent residency visa;
** if born in another State or Territory of Australia two forms proving ACT residency must be provided. Acceptable proof of residency documentation include:
** Contract of Purchase, Current Lease or Rental Document for relevant premises (a receipt only is not acceptable) prepared by a real estate agency or ACT Government.
** ACT Revenue Office Rates Notice (current) or Land Tax Valuation Notice (current).
** Australian Taxation Office Assessment (last or current financial year) or Australian Taxation Office tax file number notice (issued within the last 12 months) mailed to the nominated physical address. To protect your privacy customers are advised to block out their Tax File Number.
** Utility Accounts relating to the nominated physical address (Electricity, Gas, Landline Telephone or Water) paid within the last 6 months.
** Pay Television account relating to the applicants nominated physical address paid within the last 6 months.
** Home Contents Policy relating to the applicants nominated physical address within one year of application.
** Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy dated within one year of application.
** Current Health/Life Insurance Policy or renewal notice within one year of application.
At least three forms of identity must be provided from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification provided:
Primary Proof of Identity:
** A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
** Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
** Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
** Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
** Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
** Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
** Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
** ACT Police officer photo-identity card.
** Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity:
** Current Medicare card.
** Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
** Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
** Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
** Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
** ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
** Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
** Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
** Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
** Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
** ACT Services Access card issued by the ACT Government (for asylum seekers).
Original forms of identification must be presented if applying at our shopfront. Applications made via the post must be accompanied by copies of identification certified as true and correct copies by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Certificates that have been applied for via the post will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification and evidence of residency requirements if applicable, please contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.