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Fill in a change of name under 18 years application form

Use this application form to change your child's name if they are under 18, were born overseas and have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months (and currently live here).

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

  1. 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.
  2. Gather your proof of ID and supporting documents.
    3. 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.
  3. Submit your application form and supporting documents to us
    1. by post to the 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 at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Step 3—What next

  1. 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 registered overseas? *
    2. Has your child lived in Queensland for at least 12 months? * Learn about what proof of residency yo need to provide for your child.
    3. Have you changed your child’s family name in Australia in the last 12 months? *
    4. If your child is 12 to 17, do they understand the meaning and implication of changing their name? *
    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.
    6. *
    7. Do you (the parents/responsible persons) have all the proof you need for identification? * View the proof of ID you will need to show us for both parents and evidence of residency for your child.
  2. Fill in your application form Fill in the application before downloading and printing it.
    1. *
      1. Child's name at birth These are the first names and family name on your child's birth certificate.
    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.
    4. Previous change(s) to your child's name
      1. Has your child's name been changed before? *
      2. Has your child's first or middle names been changed before? *

      3. Your application may be rejected.

        Normally you can only change the first or middle names of a child once before they turn 18. Your application may be rejected if you are applying to change their first or middle names again.

        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? *

      5. Your application may be rejected.

        Normally you can’t change your child’s name more than once every 12 months.

        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
      7. You will need to show us supporting documents for any other change of name for your child.
        8. Change of name 1 This is your child’s most recent change of name.
          3. 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).
        3. Previous name
        5. Change of name 2
        8. Previous name
        10. Change of name 3
        13. Previous name
    5. Child's parents' details As shown on your child's birth certificate. Mother or registered parent's name
    6. Father or registered parent's name If there is no father or parent on your child's birth certificate 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)? *
      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? *
    9. If both parents are listed on your child’s birth certificate, both parents need to apply. One listed parent will need a Queensland Magistrates Court approval to apply unless they have sole parental responsibility under a Family Law order.
    10. Child's birth details
        1. You will need to show us your child's birth certificate. If the original birth certificate is not in English, you must have it translated into English by an accredited translator.
        2. Place of birth As shown on your child's birth certificate.
        4. Is your child 12 months or older? *
        5. Has your child lived in Queensland for at least the last 12 months? * (If you chose 'Yes' above)
        6. Normally we can only change your child's name if they have been living in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).

          If your application is rejected the application fee will not be refunded.
        7. Has one of the people applying lived in Queensland for at least the last 12 months? *
        8. You will need to show us evidence that you currently live here and have lived in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).

          Normally we can only change your child's name if they have been living in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).

          If your application is rejected the application fee will not be refunded.
    11. Who is applying
    12. Tell us who is applying *
    13. You will need to provide a certified photocopy of the death certificate.
    14. You will need to provide a certified photocopy of the court order.
      1. Your current nameAs shown on your proof of ID.
      2. Relationship to the child *
      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
      7. Is your postal address the same as your home address? *
      8. Postal details (If you chose ‘No’ above)
        1. Postal address
      12. *
      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. You will be sent an * The application fee includes 1 free certificate.
          3. Additional certificates There is a cost for each additional certificate to be paid when the application is made.
          4. Priority * Tick one option
          5. These timeframes start when we receive your required documents by post or at your interview appointment.
          6. Type of post * Australia Post delivery timeframes

            1. The total cost is:

        14. 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.

      14. Other person applying
        1. Relationship to the child *
        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.
        6. Home address
        10. *
      15. How would you like to pay for your order? *
      16. *I understand
      17. Before I complete my application *

        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 in Queensland.

Otherwise, see a list of interstate registry offices.

You are not eligible

We can only change your child's name if they have been living in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more).

Apply in the state or territory where your child currently lives, see a list of interstate registry offices.

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

• changing your child's record of sex

• marriage or divorce

• protecting yourself or close family

• other exceptional reasons

• approved by Magistrates Court or non-Queensland court.

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

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 child's record of sex

• marriage or divorce

• protecting yourself or close family

• other exceptional reasons

• approved by Magistrates Court or non-Queensland court.

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.
Last updated:
4 July 2024
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