Changing your name

When to get legal advice

• if you want to change your name
• your parents want to change your name

How to get legal advice

Changing your name

You can change your name informally by asking family and friends to call you a different name. You do not have to register the change.

However, changing your name without formally registering the change can sometimes cause problems with official documents. Many places—such as banks and Centrelink—may ask to see proof of your identity.

If you want to register a change of name, certain rules apply. You must:

• not change your name more than once every 12 months
• not change your name more than 3 times in your adult life
• choose a new name that is not obscene, offensive, too long or not in the public interest
• give a reason for the change of name (e.g. your mother has remarried and you want to take on the new family name or your current name is difficult to spell or pronounce).

Changing your name is illegal if you are:

• changing your name for criminal purposes (e.g. fraud)
• in Corrective Services’ custody but do not get approval from the Chief Executive (Corrective Services) (or appropriate officer) to apply to change your name.

Officially changing your name

You can change your legal name by applying to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages if you are 18 or older and either:

• were born or adopted in Queensland
• were born overseas, have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months and usually live in Queensland.

You will need to provide evidence of your identity, age and that the name change is not for a fraudulent purpose.

If you were born in another state, contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in that state to find out how to change your name.

Apply to change your name

Changing your name if you’re under 18

If you’re under 18, you can usually only change your name if your parents or legal guardians agree, or if you’re married or divorced.

If your parents or guardians agree, they will need to apply for you.

Both of your parents or guardians will need to apply, unless one of the following applies:

• only one parent is named on your birth certificate
• one of your parents or guardians has died
• the Magistrates Court approves an application from one of your parents or guardians to change your name because it’s in your best interest.

In special circumstances, the court may allow a person under 18 to change their name without their parents or guardians agreeing.

What if my parents want to change my name?

If you’re 12 or older and your parents want to change your name, they must get your agreement. If you don’t agree, get legal advice.

Do I have to change my name if I get married?

You don’t have to change your name to your spouse’s name when you get married—you can use your married or birth name without changing it at the registry.

If you separate, you can use your married or birth name without changing your name at the registry, but be aware many places, such as banks and Centrelink, may want to see proof of your identity.

How to get legal advice

We don’t give legal advice to adults wanting to change their own name.

We may give legal advice about applying to court for an order to change a child’s name.

Other places to get legal advice:

• Community legal centres
• Private lawyers

Who else can help?

• Organisations directory

Related information

• Registering and changing a childs name

Last updated

29 October 2026

Last reviewed

30 April 2026