How to change your surname after marriage

After you get married in Australia, you can choose to take your partner’s surname. This process is entirely optional and there’s no time frame requirement; it only happens when you take action. To begin the process you’ll need your official marriage certificate from the Registry Office as proof of marriage.

As your marriage celebrant I can help make this process easier by applying for your official marriage certificate from the Registry Office on your behalf. Alternatively, you can order the certificate yourself any time after your ceremony has happened.

One important thing to keep in mind is that if you’re planning to travel with your passport soon after your wedding (eg. honeymoon), the name on your travel bookings (flight, accom) should match your identification. For example, if the surname on your passport and plane ticket don’t match, it’s quite possible the airline may charge an additional fee before you’re allowed to board the plane. Avoid this situation by waiting until after returning home before beginning the name change process.

When choosing your married surname, you have three options:

• You can take your partner’s surname

• Your partner can take your surname

• You can combine your surname and your partner’s surname with a hyphen

It’s recommended to update these primary forms of identification first:

• Driver’s license

• Passport

• Medicare

Once your primary identification is updated, you can continue updating your name everywhere else. For example:

• Australian Business Register if you’re the director of a company

• Australian Taxation Office

• Car registration

• Centrelink

• Council rates & animal registration

• Bank accounts & credit cards

• Doctor

• Dentist

• Electoral enrolment

• Email

• Employer / place of work

• Frequent Flyer & other loyalty clubs

• Gym membership

• Insurance; car, house, contents, health, life

• Internet account

• Investments & shares

• Loans

• Mobile phone account

• Online shopping accounts

• Organ Donor Register

• PayPal

• Professional associations

• Real estate agency if you’re renting

• Streaming services; Amazon Prime, Foxtel, Netflix, Spotify, Stan, etc

• Social media & online profiles; Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, etc

• Superannuation

• Utilities; electricity, water, gas

• Your will

• Voicemail

For further information, here’s the NSW Government guidelines on changing your name after marriage.

The Official Marriage Certificate (issued upon application from Registry Office) is sufficient proof of marriage when changing your surname. The Commemorative Marriage Certificate (given by your celebrant immediately after your ceremony) can not be used in this way.