Glossary
A plain-English glossary of the words that come up when you change your name in Australia. No jargon, just clear definitions so you always know what each step means.
"Deed poll" is the common term for a name change; Australia has no separate document, unlike the UK. Register with your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages. They issue a change of name certificate - your legal proof.
A change of name certificate is from your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages, legally recording your new name. After a formal change of name, it's proof for banks, government agencies and other organisations to update records.
BDM is the government registry in each state and territory that registers births, deaths, marriages and changes of name. Your official marriage certificate, and any formal change of name, comes from BDM in your state.
Only the official, registered marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages is accepted as proof of a name change. The ceremonial certificate your celebrant gives you on the day is decorative. Organisations don't accept it. Order the official one separately.
A certified copy: a photocopy a Justice of the Peace, pharmacist or police officer has verified as true. Some organisations want a certified copy of your certificate, not just a plain photo or scan.
A statutory declaration is a written statement you declare to be true before an authorised witness. It is sometimes requested to support a name change or to confirm details when other proof is not available.
100 points of identification is an Australian system: combine documents worth set points until they total 100. Banks and some organisations use it when you update your details.
A foundation identity document, such as a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or passport, is used to issue other ID. Updating your name on foundation ID first makes every later change easier.
A maiden name is the surname a person had before marriage, usually their birth surname. After a divorce or separation, reverting to it generally needs no formal change: your birth and marriage certificates are proof.
Reverting means returning to a name you previously held, most commonly your maiden or birth name after a divorce. Reverting is your choice, and you do not have to wait for a divorce to be finalised to do it.
A gender marker is the sex or gender recorded on an identity document. Updating a gender marker is a separate process from changing your name, with rules that vary by state and document.
myGov is the Australian Government's online portal that links services such as Medicare, the ATO, Centrelink and the electoral roll. Several name updates with federal agencies can be started through a myGov account.
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