Fill in a change of name under 18 years application form

Use this application form to change your child’s first name once if they are between 1 and 18 years old and they were born or adopted in Queensland. You can change your child’s family name once every 12 months.

Find out how to apply to change your child’s first name before they turn 1.

Then you will need to print and sign your completed form before submitting it along with supporting documents to us.

Step 1—Complete this part online

1. Start by answering the question below—it should take you less than 15 minutes.
2. Choose how you would like to pay.
3. Review your details.
4. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
5. Download and print the completed application form.

Step 2—Complete on paper and submit

6. Have another adult (18 or older) witness your signature(s) in the declaration section. This includes your child’s signature if they are aged 12 to 17.
7. Gather your proof of ID and supporting documents.
Proof of ID documents must be submitted by post with your signed application. When submitting by post, have your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.

8. Submit your application form and supporting documents to us
1. by post to Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, PO Box 15188, CITY EAST  QLD  4002
2. in person by requesting an interview appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre.

Step 3—What next

9. If your application is approved, you will need to change your child's name everywhere they are registered in the community.

1. Can you change your child's name?

   1. Was your child’s birth or adoption registered in Queensland? *

      • Yes
      • No
   2. * I understand a note will be made on my child's birth certificate that their name was changed—I have the choice whether the new name will be shown or kept private.
      
   3. Have you changed your child’s family name in Australia within the last 12 months? *

      • Yes
      • No
      • Yes, and I have read the change of name policy and completed a request for an exception application.
   4. If your child is 12 to 17, do they understand the meaning and implication of changing their name? *

      • Yes/Not applicable
      • No
   5. Are you the child’s parent or do you have legal parental responsibility? * Learn if you are eligible to apply and what documents you need.

      • Yes
      • No
   6. * I understand that if both parents are recorded on a child's birth certificate both need to sign this application form—unless I have legal parental responsibility or Queensland Magistrates Court approval.
      
   7. Do you (the parents or responsible persons) have all the proof you need for identification? * View the proof of ID you will need to provide for the registered parents or persons with legal parental responsibility.

      • Yes
      • No
   8. By using this online service and providing an email address and mobile number, I consent to the use of the email address and mobile number for the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) to provide information and for contact using SMS and email that relates to this application. I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that I have nominated a secure email address for RBDM to send correspondence to, and I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to ensure the security of that information when received.
2. Fill in your application form Fill in the application before downloading and printing it.

   1. *

      I understand that as parents or people with legal parental responsibility, we have the right to choose the name of our child. However, the Registrar-General may refuse to register a name that is a prohibited name.
   1. Child's name at birth

      These are the first names and family name on your child's birth certificate.

      1. First name *
      2. Middle name(s)
      3. Family name If your child doesn’t have a family name and only use the name above, enter n/a.*
   2. Child's new name

      If your application is approved, these are the first names and family name your child will use and will appear on their certificate. You will need to change their name everywhere they are registered in the community.
      1. First name *
      2. Middle name(s)
      3. Family name *
   3. Why do you want to change your child's name? * Give us detailed reasons for wanting to register a change to your child’s name. Telling us that it is ‘personal’ or ‘for passport’ is not enough information—your application may be refused, and the application fee not refunded.
   4. Previous change(s) to your child's name

      1. Has your child's name been changed before? *

         • Yes
         • No
      2. Has your child's first or middle names been changed before? *

         • Yes
         • No

      3. Your application may be rejected.

         If you need us to review your situation you must attach a request exception to rules form giving us a detailed reason. Exceptions to rules are not often approved.

         The application fee will not be refunded if your request is refused.

      4. Have you changed your child’s name in Australia within the last 12 months? *

         • Yes
         • No

      5. Your application may be rejected.

         If you need us to review your situation you must attach a request exception to rules form giving us a detailed reason. Exceptions to rules are not often approved.

         The application fee will not be refunded if your request is refused.

      6. Other names your child has used

         Change of name 1 This is your child’s most recent change of name.

         
         

         1. You will need to show us supporting documents for any other change of name for your child.
         2. When did your child's name change? * This will not be shown on your child’s change of name document (i.e. change of name certificate).
         3. How did your child's name change? * For example, family deed poll or change of name.
         If your child has assumed a name they use in the community that is different to the name on their birth certificate, speak to the organisations you deal with. We can’t change your child's name back to the name on their birth certificate, where both names are the same (i.e. Jane Doe to Jane Doe).
         4. Previous name

            1. First name *
            2. Middle name(s)
            3. Family name *If your child didn’t have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
         5. Add another earlier change to your child's name.
         6. Change of name 2

            
            

            When did your child’s name change?This will not be shown on your child's certificate.

            How did your child’s name change? For example, family deed poll or change of name.

            Previous name

            1. First name
            2. Middle name(s)
            3. Family name If your child didn’t have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.

            Add another earlier change to your child's name.
         7. Change of name 3

            
            

            When did your child’s name change?This will not be shown on your child's certificate.

            How did your child’s name change? For example, family deed poll or change of name.

            Previous name

            1. First name
            2. Middle name(s)
            3. Family name If your child didn’t have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.

            For additional name changes for my child, I will provide the details on a statutory declaration.
   5. Child's parents' details As shown on your child's birth certificate.

      Mother or registered parent's name

      1. First name *
      2. Middle name(s)
      3. Family name * If the mother or parent doesn’t have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
   6. Father or registered parent's name If there is no father or parent on your child's birth certificate, enter n/a.

      1. First name *
      2. Middle name(s)
      3. Family name * If the father or parent doesn’t have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
   7. Other parents' or person with parental responsibility details

      1. Has a parent's or person with parental responsibility's name changed since your child's birth (or since parental responsibility was granted)? *

         • Yes
         • No
      2. You will need to show us supporting documents for any change of name since your child's birth.
   8. Is only one parent or person with parental responsibility applying to change the child's name? *

      • Yes
      • No
   9. Normally both registered parents or guardians must apply together. Sometimes a parent or guardian can apply alone—if they are the only parent on the birth certificate, have sole parental responsibility, or the other parent or guardian has passed away.
      
      If the other parent does not agree to the name change—you must get a Queensland Magistrates Court order.
   10. Child's birth details

       1. 1. Place of birth As shown on your child's birth certificate.

             1. Town, city or suburb *
             2. State * QLD
          Date of birth *
          3. Do you want your child's birth certificate to show their new name? *

             • Yes, show my child's new name on their birth certificate.
             • No, keep my child's new name private on their birth certificate.
          4. (If you chose 'Yes' above)

             You will be sent a free birth certificate to update your child's name in the community showing their:

             • •   new name on the front
             • •   previous name, and the date it changed on the back.
          5. (If you chose 'No' above)

             You will be sent a free change of name certificate to update your child's name in the community showing:

             • •   their current name
             • •   limited birth details, including their birth name
             • •   any previous registered name changes.
          6. Do you want the free birth certificate to show your child's sex? *

             • Yes
             • No
   11. Who is applying

       Tell us who is applying *

       • Both parents or persons with legal parental responsibility are applying together
       • Only 1 parent is shown on the birth certificate, parenting order, child protection order or will
       • Other person on birth certificate or person with legal parental responsibility has passed away
       • Queensland Magistrates Court has approved the name change

       You will need to provide a certified photocopy of the death certificate.

       You will need to provide a certified photocopy of the court order.

       1. Your current nameAs shown on your proof of ID.

          1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name * If you don’t have a family name and only use the name above, enter n/a.
       2. Relationship to the child *

          • Registered parent
          • I have full responsibility under a parenting order
          • Guardian under a child protection order
          • Guardian appointed by a will
       3. You will need to provide a certified copy of the parenting order.
       4. You will need to provide a certified copy of the child protection order.
       5. You will need to provide certified copies of the will and the parents’ death certificates.
       6. Home address

          1. Address line 1 *
          2. Address line 2
          3. Address line 3
          4. 1. Town, city or suburb *
             2. State *
             3. Postcode *
          5. Country
       7. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *

          • Yes
          • No
       8. Postal details (If you chose ‘No’ above)

          1. Postal address

             1. Address line 1 *
             2. Address line 2
             3. Address line 3
             4. 1. Town, city or suburb *
                2. State *
                3. Postcode *
             5. Country
       9. Contact number (mobile preferred) *
       10. Email We will send you your filled in application by email to this address. *
       11. Confirm mail *
       12. *
           Certificate posting confirmation

           I understand that the free certificate and any additional certificates ordered will be posted to the address above.
       13. Order details

           Type of certificate
           1. Change of name certificates only provide some birth information, the new name and any previous change of name registered in Queensland by us. They are not proof of your child's birth details.
           2. 1. Type of certificate — you will be sent 1 free:
       14. Additional certificates There is a cost for each additional certificate to be paid when the application is made.

           • No additional certificate
           • 1 official birth certificate (with sex)—$54.40
           • 1 official birth certificate (without sex)—$54.40
           • 1 official change of name certificate—$54.40
       15. Priority * Tick one option

           These timeframes start when we receive your required documents documents by post or at your interview appointment.

           • Urgent ($108.10)—processed in 3 business days (includes standard post).
           • Non-urgent (no additional fee)—average processing time is 10 business days.
       16. Type of post * Australia Post delivery timeframes

           • Registered post—within Australia ($8.10)
           • Express post—within Australia ($8.55)
           • Standard post (no charge)
           • International registered mail ($18.55)

           
           

           1. The total cost is:
           
           

   Ensure the safe delivery of your certificate

   You have changed the type of post. We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you securely within Australia.

   Important update

   Australia Post are suspending their express post guarantee of next-day delivery. Express post is still available and treated as a priority, but may not be delivered the next business day every time. Normal application processing timeframes still apply.

   Important information

   We value identity protection and you have chosen a more secure delivery outside Australia. However, be aware that international registered mail can’t be tracked, and signing is not available in every country.

   12. Other person applying

       1. Relationship to the child *

          • Registered parent
          • I have full responsibility under a parenting order
          • Guardian under a child protection order
          • Guardian appointed by a will
       2. You will need to provide a certified copy of the parenting order.
       3. You will need to provide a certified copy of the child protection order.
       4. You will need to provide certified copies of the will and the parents’ death certificates.
       5. Your current nameAs shown on your proof of ID.

          1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name * If they don’t have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
       6. Home address

          1. Address line 1 *
          2. Address line 2
          3. Address line 3
          4. 1. Town, city or suburb *
             2. State *
             3. Postcode *
          5. Country
       7. Contact number (mobile preferred) *
       8. Email *
       9. Confirm email *
       10. *
           Certificate and contact confirmation

           I understand that the free certificate and any additional certificates ordered will be posted to the other person applying, but that I may need to be contacted.
   13. How would you like to pay for your order? *

       • Online (MasterCard or Visa)
       • Bank or business account cheque, money order (Australian-drawn only) or cash
   14. *I understand
       The details I have given above will only fill-in the application form and are not saved for security purposes. To complete an application for another member of my family I must pay for them one at a time.
   15. Before I complete my application *

       I will check the details I have provided.
       I am aware of the refund policy—the fee I pay is to submit my application and for RBDM to review it.

       Remember

       You will need to submit your proof of ID, supporting documents and signed application along with payment (if not paying online) to us either:

       • •   by post
       • •   in person, by booking an appointment with us.

Don't use this form

You need to complete a different form if your child was born or adopted overseas and have been living in Queensland for at least 12 months.

Otherwise, if your child was born in another Australian state or territy see a list of interstate registry offices.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's family name more than once in 12 months.

You can wait for the 12 months or apply for an exception to this rule for any of the following reasons:

• changing your record of sex

• marriage or divorce

• protecting yourself or close family

• other exceptional reasons.

You must read the change of name policy and complete a request for an exception application.

Your child must understand and consent to the change of name

We can't process your application if your child doesn't understand the meaning and implication of the change of name. You can contact us if you need more information about this.

Online: our general enquiry form.

By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's name until you have authority.

Learn more about this in our change of name policy.

You are not eligible

We can't change your child's name until you can prove your identity. You can contact us if you need more information about this.

Online: our general enquiry form.

By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

Privacy notice
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General is collecting your personal information for the purpose of processing your application for change of name under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023. The information on this form may be provided to law enforcement agencies and to government and non-government agencies for verification of the data. Access to this information or a certificate may be granted to any person who has adequate reason to obtain it, or who meets the requirements of the access policy.