Free templates
The exact wording to tell your bank, employer, super fund, or any Australian organisation that your name has changed. Copy, fill in the brackets, attach your proof, send. Works for marriage, divorce and formal changes of name.
A name change notification needs five things: your account or member number, your old name, your new name, one line on why it changed, and your proof document attached. Three to five sentences is enough for almost every organisation in Australia. The templates below have all five built in.
This one works for almost everything: utilities, insurers, telcos, gyms, airlines, subscriptions. Use the subject line exactly as shown, it keeps your request out of the wrong support queue.
Subject: Name change notification - [old full name] to [new full name] Hello, I am writing to update the name on my account. My account or reference number is [account number]. My name has changed from [old full name] to [new full name] following [my marriage / my divorce / a formal change of name]. I have attached a copy of my [marriage certificate / change of name certificate] as proof. Please update your records and all future correspondence to my new name, and confirm by reply once this is done. Kind regards, [new full name] [phone] | [email]
Banks are the most formal of the lot. Many now accept the update in-app or in a branch with your ID, but if yours wants it in writing, this is the letter. Ask about certified copies before you post originals; never post an original certificate.
[new full name] [address] [date] [Bank name] [bank postal address] Dear Sir or Madam, Re: Change of name on my accounts - customer number [customer number] I am writing to advise that my name has changed from [old full name] to [new full name] following [my marriage / a formal change of name]. I enclose a certified copy of my [marriage certificate / change of name certificate]. Please update my name on all accounts, cards and records held in my name, including [list account numbers], and reissue my cards in my new name. Please confirm in writing once the change is complete. Yours faithfully, [signature] [new full name] [phone] | [email]
Send this to HR or payroll. The important extras here: your super contributions and your work email address both flow from what payroll holds, so name them.
Subject: Name change notification - [old full name] to [new full name] Hi [HR or manager name], My name has changed from [old full name] to [new full name] following [my marriage / a formal change of name]. I have attached a copy of my [marriage certificate / change of name certificate]. Could you please update payroll, my email address and display name, the staff directory, and the name my super contributions are reported under. My tax file number and bank details are unchanged. Happy to provide anything else you need. Thanks, [new full name]
Most funds accept this through their member portal's secure message or by email. Have your member number ready; the request is useless without it.
Subject: Name change notification - member number [member number] Hello, I would like to update the name on my membership. My member number is [member number]. My name has changed from [old full name] to [new full name] following [my marriage / a formal change of name]. I have attached a copy of my [marriage certificate / change of name certificate]. Please update my member record and all correspondence, and confirm once done. My tax file number, contributions and beneficiaries are unchanged. Kind regards, [new full name] [date of birth] | [phone]
Loyalty programs, apps and small subscriptions do not need the formal treatment. This gets it done through any contact form or chat window.
Hi, please update the name on my account ([email or member number]) from [old full name] to [new full name] - I have changed my name following [my marriage / a formal change of name]. Proof attached if you need it. Thanks!
Surname Switch builds your personal list of every place to notify, in the right order, from $25. On the Powered plan, AI writes every one of these messages for you with your real details and the right channel for each organisation - you just review and hit send. Build your plan.
Common questions
Keep it short and factual: your account or member number, your old name, your new name, one line on why it changed, a note that your proof is attached, and a request to update all records and confirm in writing. Three to five sentences is enough for most Australian organisations.
For marriage, your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages, not the decorative ceremony certificate. For a formal change of name, your change of name certificate. For reverting after divorce, your birth certificate together with your marriage certificate usually covers it. A clear photo or scan is accepted by most organisations, though some banks ask for a certified copy.
Most organisations accept a clear scan or photo. Banks, super funds and share registries are the usual exceptions and may ask for a copy certified by a JP, pharmacist or police officer, which is free. If in doubt, send the scan first and they will tell you if they need more.
Use the pattern: Name change notification, [old full name] to [new full name]. It tells the support team exactly what the email is before they open it, which speeds up processing and keeps it out of the wrong queue.
No. Updating your name on an existing account is free everywhere. The only common costs are government ones: ordering an extra original certificate, a replacement licence card in some states, or a passport if yours needs reissuing and you do not qualify for the free replacement.
Yes. The Powered plan writes a correct, personalised notification for every organisation on your list, with the right channel for each one, so you just review and send. The templates on this page are the free do-it-yourself version.
Answer a few questions and get your whole name change mapped out, with every message ready to go.
Start your plan