Changing Your Name

A simple guide for couples navigating the name-change process.

(This article was first published on the blog of a wonderful business I co-founded called I Do Drive Thru.)

So, You’re Married (or Soon to Be)

Congratulations!

And if you’re starting to think about changing your name after marriage, you’re not alone.

Some couples know straight away that they want to change their name. Others feel unsure, or maybe a little overwhelmed at the thought of the paperwork involved.

We hear you. Here’s what you need to know.

Your Options

You don’t have to change your name at all. You be you.

You might prefer to go by your new name socially but keep your original name on official documents and for work. This is called name by association, and it’s completely legal. Just make sure you continue to use your usual signature.

Updating your name on Facebook doesn’t mean you have to follow it up with legal paperwork.

Before you make your decision, think about what you want your married name to be.

For simplicity, this example uses a heterosexual couple, but all options apply equally to same-sex and non-binary partners.

  • Are you taking your spouse’s name? For example, is Jane Doe becoming Jane Smith?

  • Is John Smith becoming John Doe? (Less common, but absolutely possible.)

  • Are you adding a hyphen, becoming Jane and John Doe-Smith?

  • Or are you creating a new shared surname entirely? Maybe something fun and unique that reflects you both.

So, for example, my surname is  Lythgo and my partner’s is Kidman, and the joke is our name should become the MANGOs, which might be part of why we’re not married yet, haha! He thinks this is less funny.

Creating a New Surname

If you decide to create a completely new surname after your wedding, you’ll both need to legally change your names through your state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages office.

The exception is if one of you changes their name legally before the ceremony so that your new surname already appears on the marriage certificate. This can make the process much easier later.

The Practical Steps

Step 1: Get Your Registry-Issued Marriage Certificate

The commemorative certificate you receive on the day is beautiful, but it isn’t valid for identification purposes. You’ll need to apply for your registry-issued marriage certificate from the Births, Deaths and Marriages office in the state where you were married.

(This isn’t included in the I Do Drive Thru fee.)

Once you receive it, you can start updating your identification.

Step 2: Update Your Photo ID

Your photo ID is the key to everything. Once you have an ID showing your new married name, most organisations will accept that for their records.

Take your registry-issued marriage certificate and existing photo ID to:

  • Your state’s road authority (for example, VicRoads) to update your driver’s licence, or

  • An Australia Post Office to renew or update your passport.

Your updated licence or passport then becomes your golden ticket to update your name everywhere else.

Step 3: Start Changing Your Name Elsewhere

It’s true that changing your name takes time and patience, but you don’t need to do it all at once. Start with the essentials — identification, banking, superannuation and utilities — and move through the rest as you can.

It probably doesn’t matter if your Netflix account isn’t in your new name yet.

If you’d like help keeping track, Easy Name Change has a great free checklist and paid kits that can simplify the process.

Here’s a sample of where you might need to update your details:

  • Banks and credit cards

  • Driver’s licence and vehicle registration

  • Medicare and health insurance

  • Superannuation

  • Passport

  • Australian Electoral Commission

  • Tax Office

  • Employers and payroll

  • Utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet)

  • Local council and pet registrations

  • Loyalty programs and frequent flyer accounts

  • Clubs, gyms and memberships

  • Your children’s school records

How Long Does It Take?

In Victoria, BDM notes it can take up to 21 working days to register a marriage and another 21 days to issue your official marriage certificate.

So it’s not a fast process, and most couples travelling on their honeymoon do so using passports with their original surnames.

Quick Links to State BDM Offices

 

 

The Final Word

Whether you change your name or keep it exactly as it is, the choice is entirely yours — and that’s exactly how it should be.

We hope this guide helps make the name-change process feel a little clearer and less stressful.

And if it still feels overwhelming, we’ve created a visual summary below to make it easy to follow.

You’re welcome.