Replacement of Australian passport because of a Change of Name

Change of name

If you have changed your name since birth or obtaining Australian citizenship, or since your last passport was issued, you will need official proof of your new name before a passport may be issued in your new name. This proof can take several forms:

• an amended birth certificate or a change of name certificate issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Australian State or Territory where you were born;
• a marriage certificate, issued by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia;
• an amended citizenship certificate, where personal information on the original document is incorrect; or
• a divorce or death certificate issued by the appropriate authority.

If your name has changed from the name on your most recent evidence of Australian citizenship (ie. your birth certificate, citizenship certificate or previous Australian passport) you will need to provide evidence of a change of name with your application.

We cannot amend the name in your current passport. After your wedding, for example, you will need to present the marriage certificate issued by the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages, with a completed application, current passport, current identification in your new name, and photographs to obtain a new passport.

Replacement of Australian passport

Fees do not apply in the following circumstances:

• Changing your name due to marriage

  Unless you are able to lodge a marriage certificate with your application you will have to obtain a passport in your maiden name. You can be issued with a passport in your married name when you present your marriage certificate together with a completed application, current passport (if applicable), identification in the married name, and two photographs (one of which has been endorsed by a guarantor.) If a passport is issued under this arrangement, the replacement passport will be issued free of charge for the remainder of the validity of the original document.

• Married twice

  We are required to link name changes, from the name shown on your birth or citizenship certificate or previous Australian passport, to your present name. If your former married name is shown on your second marriage certificate, you will need both marriage certificates when you lodge your application. If a passport is issued under this arrangement, the replacement passport will be issued free of charge for the remainder of the validity of the original document.

• Changing your name due to divorce

  If you revert to the use of a previous family name following divorce, you will need to lodge the original of your divorce certificate with a completed application, current passport, current identification in new name, and photographs to obtain a new passport.

  If a passport is issued under this arrangement, the replacement passport will be issued free of charge for the remainder of the validity of the original document.

• Changing your name after the death of your spouse

  If you revert to your maiden name following the death of your spouse, the original of the death certificate should be provided.

  If a passport is issued under this arrangement, the replacement passport will be issued free of charge for the remainder of the validity of the original document.