Passport name change
It is a new passport application, not an amendment. The Australian Passport Office issues you a new passport in your new name, and it is often free if you married, divorced or reverted.
The Australian Passport Office does not amend an existing passport. You apply for a new one in your new name, the same standard application used for a renewal, filled in online and lodged in person at Australia Post.
It is free with the same expiry date if your surname changed through marriage, divorce or reverting to a former name, and your current passport still has two or more years left.
The Australian Passport Office cannot amend an existing passport. You apply for a brand new one in your new name, using the same standard application as a renewal.
There is no separate change of name form.
Have your official marriage certificate, or your change of name certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages, ready. It must be the original, not a photocopy, and not the decorative ceremonial certificate from your wedding day.
Changing a given name rather than just your surname? You need a change of name certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages, even if you married.
Fill in the standard application online at passports.gov.au, the same one used for a renewal.
Lodge it in person at a participating Australia Post outlet. Walk in during opening hours, no appointment needed.
It is free if your surname is changing through marriage, divorce or reverting to a former name, and your passport has two or more years left. You get a replacement with the same expiry date.
Otherwise, including a deed poll change or under two years left, the normal application fee applies.
A new passport is typically issued within about three weeks of a complete application, with a faster priority service available for an extra fee.
Your passport name should match your travel bookings, so update it early if you have trips coming, or book under your current name until it is done.
At a glance
Every part of a passport name change, the channel it uses, and what you need.
| What you are doing | How you do it | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| The application itself | Online at passports.gov.au | The standard application, same as a renewal. There is no separate change of name form. |
| Lodging it | In person, a participating Australia Post outlet | Walk in during opening hours, no appointment needed. |
| Proof of name change | Original certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages | Your marriage certificate, or a change of name certificate if you are changing a given name. Not a photocopy, not the ceremonial certificate. |
| If you qualify | Free, same expiry date | Surname changed through marriage, divorce or reverting, with two or more years of validity left. |
| If you do not qualify | Normal application fee | A deed poll change, or under two years of validity left. Current fees are on passports.gov.au. |
| Processing time | About three weeks | A faster priority service is available for an extra fee. Apply well before any travel. |
We are not affiliated with the Australian Passport Office or Australia Post.
Last updated 27 September 2026. Processes and fees change, so confirm the current amount and steps with the Australian Passport Office before you go.
Do your passport early, especially with travel booked, since your passport name should match your tickets. It is fine to do it before or after your driver licence and Medicare.
Married in Australia? Your marriage certificate is your proof, no separate legal step first (see our marriage guide). Reverting to a former name is in our divorce guide. A brand new name by deed poll means the normal passport fee applies, since only marriage, divorce or reverting qualify for the free replacement.
Your passport is one of the 66 kinds of organisation our app tracks. Enter your details once and Surname Switch prefills your official forms and drafts every email. Your details stay on your device, never our servers. See how it works, or the full name change checklist.
passport name change questions
Straight answers to what people actually ask about changing their name on their passport.
You apply for a new passport in your new name. A passport cannot be amended, and there is no separate change of name form: you fill in the standard application online at passports.gov.au and then lodge it in person at a participating Australia Post outlet, walk in, no appointment. Bring your original certificate, your current passport and compliant photos.
Often yes, and for more people than expect it. If your surname is changing because of marriage, divorce or reverting to a former name, and your current passport still has two or more years of validity left, you get a free replacement carrying the same expiry date. Bring evidence of the marriage or divorce. If it has under two years to run, or you are changing your name by deed poll, the normal application fee applies. Current fees are on passports.gov.au.
A new passport is typically issued within about three weeks of a complete application, with a faster priority service available for an extra fee. Apply well before any travel.
Your passport name should match your travel bookings, so if you have changed your name and have trips coming up, update your passport early or book travel in your current passport name until it is done.
The original certificate, not a copy: your official Births, Deaths and Marriages issued marriage certificate, or your change of name certificate. The ceremonial certificate from your wedding day is not accepted. One catch worth knowing: if you are changing a given name rather than just your surname, you need a change of name certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages, even if you married.
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