Rules for changing your name
Part of the Name changes topic
Understand the rules you must follow when you want to legally change your name in Queensland.
In short
If you want to change your name, you must follow certain rules.
These rules apply to legal name changes registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Use these rules when you change your name.
You must
To change your name, you must:
- apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to legally change your name
- live in Queensland for at least the past 12 months if you were born or adopted overseas
- have written approval from a Chief Executive of Corrective Services or Police Commissioner if:
- you are in the custody of Corrective Services or a released prisoner under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003
- you are a reportable offender under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004.
You cannot
You cannot change your name:
- if you have already changed it in the past 12 months
- for fraudulent or improper purposes
- more than 3 times in your adult life
- if you choose a prohibited name.
Exceptions and special circumstances
You can make certain kinds of name changes that don't count towards the limit. These include:
- name changes made before you turn 18
- name changes that are not registered with the government, such as using a different last name after marriage or separation
- name changes made before 24 June 2024, when the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Regulation 2024 came into effect.
In some circumstances, you can apply to get an exception to the rules.
These apply for change of name applications:
- when you were born in another state or territory
- when you were born overseas, and have not yet lived in Queensland for 12 continuous months
- to change your name within 12 months of a previous name change
- to change your name when you previously have changed your name 3 or more times within your adult life.
The reason for applying for an exception can include:
- a need to change your name after a recent marriage or divorce
- a need to change your name for safety and protection reasons
- a request to change your name again to affirm your identified sex
- other exceptional reasons.
Find more information in the change of name (adult) policy.