By deed poll
When the name you want is one you have not held before, Australia treats it as a formal change. The word people search is deed poll, though here it is done by registering with Births, Deaths and Marriages. We guide that, then handle everything after.
To take a new name by choice, you register the change with the Births, Deaths and Marriages office in your state, and they issue a change of name certificate. That certificate is then your proof everywhere else.
The path
You apply in the state or territory you were born in, or where you have lived for at least the last 12 months. We point you to the right office based on your answers.
You will usually need several identity documents, including at least one with a photo. We list exactly what your state asks for.
Fees vary by state, generally between $130 and $280. You lodge the application directly with the office.
Once your change of name certificate is issued, you are ready. From here, Surname Switch updates everyone else for you.
None of this needs to be daunting. The questionnaire tells you your state's specifics, and the rest of your switch runs on the same easy plan everyone else gets.
Keep exploring
We guide the application and handle every update after it. Free to start.
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