Change your child's name (child born in Victoria)

Who can apply?

This page explains how to change your child's name if they are:

• Under 18 years old
• Born overseas and:
  • Living in Victoria for most of the time in the last 12 months
  • Have the legal right to live in Australia.

Apply to change your child's name(opens in a new window)

What you’ll need

In most cases, both parents on the birth certificate need to complete the application. When you apply:

1. Parent 1 completes their part
2. Parent 1 attaches consent from the child, if applicable
   If the child is 12 years or older, you can't change their name without their consent. Attach the child’s consent to your application. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents
3. We will email Parent 2 to complete their part.

If you can’t apply online, contact BDM and request a paper change of name form.

We'll ask you for the following:

About you and your child

At minimum, we'll ask you for:

• Your child's name, date of birth and place of birth
• Your name and address
• Name and address of the second parent (if applicable)
• A clear reason for the change of name
• Any previous names your child has been known by.

Child's chosen name

• Chosen family name(s)
• Chosen given name
• Chosen other given name(s).

Generally, we accept most names. However, both parents need to agree on the name and there are some names that aren’t allowed. See Naming restrictions.

Original certificate(s)

We ask you to return your child’s birth certificate before we can issue a new one.

If you don't have the original, you need to provide a statutory declaration(opens in a new window) explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.

Proof of parentage

Your child’s Victorian birth certificate, naming you as a parent, is all you need. You need to send us the original, not a copy.

For other options, read more about applications from one parent.

Processing times

When you apply for a certificate or registration, we email you details of documents you need to provide. Our processing times start when we receive all required documents.

If you didn’t receive an email after applying, contact us.

Allow extra time for public holidays and postage.

Change of name certificate

Legal certificate

When you change your child's name, you get a new birth certificate. It shows your child's:

• New name
• Name at birth.

The back of the certificate shows a history of the changes.

The certificate is valid for all legal and official purposes. You will need this certificate to update identity documents such as your driver licence and passport.

Get a certificate later

You can order another certificate later – for example if you lost it and need a replacement. Get a birth certificate.

Certificate fees and postage

The fees are non-refundable except as set out on our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.

Certificate fees

Postage

We send legal certificates by express post, for security.

For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.

Payment methods

Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.

After your application is submitted

You‘ll receive an email after submitting your application.

If you didn’t receive an email after applying, first check your spam inbox. If you still don’t have the email, read about common causes of delay.

Once we have everything we need, we’ll complete your application within processing timeframes. We’ll email to let you know when we’ve posted your certificate.

Update your child's documents

Once your child's name has been changed, you must update all your child's identity documents and records with their new name. These may include:

• Passport
• Bank accounts
• School enrolment
• Visa travel documents.

Learn more about updating your child's identity documents after you've changed your child's name.

Apply to change your child's name(opens in a new window)