How much does it cost to change your name on a passport in Australia?

Changing your name on an Australian passport is treated as a new passport application. The fee depends on whether it is a full 10-year adult passport (currently around $326) or a child passport. If your passport was issued within the last 12 months, there is no additional fee for a name change update. Check the Australian Passport Office website for current fees.

Are there any hidden costs in changing your name?

The costs most people underestimate are: certified copies of your marriage or change of name certificate ($20-40 per copy, and you may need several), your passport renewal fee if yours is expiring or was recently issued, time spent writing emails and letters to each organisation, and the cost of mistakes from using the wrong proof or wrong order. Surname Switch reduces those last two significantly.

How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name in Australia? (2025)

Q: How much does it cost to change your name in Australia?

It depends on your situation. If you married in Australia and are taking your partner's surname, there is no government registration fee - your marriage certificate is your proof. If you need to formally register a change of name through your state Births, Deaths and Marriages (for deed poll, overseas marriage, or gender-affirming change), the government fee is approximately $130-$280 depending on your state. Surname Switch charges $25 to write all your notification messages and build your action plan.

Q: Is changing your name after marriage free in Australia?

Yes - if you married in Australia, the name change itself is free. Your Births, Deaths and Marriages marriage certificate is your legal proof of name change. You do not pay any government registration fee. However, each organisation you notify (bank, Medicare, passport office, etc.) may charge their own fees, and your passport renewal will incur passport application fees.

Q: How much does a deed poll cost in Australia?

A formal change of name (commonly called a deed poll) through your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages costs approximately $130-$280. Fees vary by state and change over time. NSW charges around $190, VIC around $155, QLD around $174, and other states between $130-$200. Always check your state BDM website for the current fee.

The most important thing to know first

If you married in Australia and are taking your partner's surname, the name change is free. Your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages is your proof. No registration fee, no government application. You just notify organisations.

The two scenarios

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Married in Australia

Taking or adding your partner's surname

$0 government fee

Your marriage certificate is your legal proof. No registration required.

You still need to notify each organisation individually, which takes time. Surname Switch ($25) writes every notification for you.

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Formal change of name

Deed poll, overseas marriage, gender-affirming

$130 to $280

Government fee paid to your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages to register the change.

The fee varies by state. See the table below for indicative amounts.

Government fees by state (formal change of name)

These fees are indicative. They change regularly. Always check your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages website for the current fee before applying.

State / Territory	Authority	Indicative fee (AUD)	What you receive
NSW	NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$190	Change of name certificate
VIC	Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria	~$155	Change of name certificate
QLD	Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$174	Change of name certificate
SA	SA Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$195	Change of name certificate
WA	WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$172	Change of name certificate
TAS	Tasmania Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$180	Change of name certificate
ACT	ACT Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$130	Change of name certificate
NT	NT Births, Deaths and Marriages	~$130	Change of name certificate

Fees are approximate and subject to change. Additional fees may apply for certified copies of the certificate. Surname Switch is not affiliated with any state registry.

Additional costs to budget for

Certified copies of certificates

Many organisations require a certified copy of your marriage certificate or change of name certificate, not the original. Certified copies are usually $20-40 each from your state BDM. You may need 3-5 copies for banks, super, and passport.

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Order extra certified copies upfront. Running out mid-process means another wait and another fee.

Passport renewal or name update

Updating your passport name is treated as a new passport application. Current Australian passport fees are approximately $326 for a 10-year adult passport (as of 2025, check the Australian Passport Office for current pricing). If your passport was issued within 12 months, there is no fee for a name change update.

Driver licence

Some states charge a small fee to reissue your driver licence with your new name (typically $0-$28 depending on your state). Others do it free of charge. Check your state transport authority website.

What Surname Switch costs

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Surname Switch full kit

One payment, everything included

$25 once, no subscription

Clear legal verdict: whether you need a formal change or not
Your personal action plan in the right order
AI-drafted notification for every organisation
Official forms prefilled where available
Progress tracker you can resume on any device
Covers 55+ organisations across all 8 Australian states and territories

Start my name change - $25

The $25 covers only the Surname Switch service. Government fees (where applicable) are paid directly to your state BDM and are separate.

Common questions

Name change cost FAQ

Is changing your name after marriage free in Australia?

Yes, if you married in Australia. Your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages is your legal proof of name change. There is no government registration fee. You do still need to notify each organisation individually, and some may charge small administrative fees, but the name change itself costs nothing.

How much does a deed poll cost in Australia?

Registering a formal change of name (commonly called a deed poll) with your state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages costs approximately $130-$280 depending on where you live. This is paid directly to the state government. You may also need to pay for certified copies of your change of name certificate to show organisations.

What is the total cost of changing your name in Australia?

For marriage in Australia: $25 for Surname Switch, plus passport renewal if needed (~$326), plus any certified copies of your marriage certificate (~$20-40 each). For deed poll or formal change: $130-$280 government fee, plus $25 for Surname Switch, plus certified copies. Most people spend between $25 and $400 total depending on their situation.

Do I need to pay to update Medicare with my new name?

No. Updating your Medicare name is free. You can do it via myGov, at a Medicare service centre, or by phone.

Does changing your name cost anything at the bank?

Most Australian banks do not charge a fee to update your name on your account. You will need to visit a branch or call them with your proof of name change and current ID.