Changing your surname after marriage is free
If you are changing your surname after marriage in Australia, it's not necessary to pay the fee for an official change of name. Most government departments accept your official marriage certificate as proof of your name.
Find other state registries if you were married in another state.
You will need an official marriage certificate
To update your married surname, you need to prove your marriage with an official marriage certificate from the registry in the state or territory where you were married. Ceremonial or commemorative certificates are not accepted.
How to change your surname after marriage
All you need to do is obtain your official marriage certificate, then update your NSW Driver Licence and your Medicare card.
Then you can change your name everywhere else.
Update your name on your NSW Driver Licence
Take your official marriage certificate and current driver licence to your nearest Service NSW centre. Ask for them to update your driver licence with your new married name. Once approved, a new driver licence will be sent to you within 1-2 weeks.
Update your name on your Medicare Card
Use your official marriage certificate to update your name on your Medicare Card at a Services Australia Centre or over the phone.
Update your name everywhere else
Next, make a list of other places you want to update your details, and contact them. Your marriage certificate, your new driver licence and your new Medicare Card will provide the proof you need in most cases to update to your married name.
other places to update your surname
Common questions about changing your surname after marriage
How do I change my surname if I was married overseas
If you were married overseas, you will have to apply for an official change of name.
How do I change my name after divorce
Check with the agency that you are trying to change your identification with, as they may accept your proof of divorce as enough to change your name.
If you previously changed your surname using your Australian marriage certificate as proof, you can usually use a proof of divorce to change other identification back to your pre-marriage name.
If you do not have an Australian marriage certificate, and you changed your name with a legal Change of Name application and wish to revert to your maiden name, you may need to apply to the Registry for another legal change of name.
What are the surname options
- you can take your partner’s surname
- your partner can take your surname
- you can combine your name and your partner’s name with a hyphen.
For any other change of name, you need to apply to change your name.