Australia 🇦🇺 · New South Wales

Name change after marriage in New South Wales

The exact New South Wales sequence — which agency, which document, in the order that avoids doing anything twice.

  1. 1. Order the official certificate — NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages

    The decorative ceremony certificate is not accepted anywhere. Order the official (standard) marriage certificate online; allow 1–3 weeks. Everything below depends on it.

  2. 2. Driver licence — Service NSW

    In person with your current licence and the official certificate. Usually free for the name change itself. Do it early — it becomes your everyday photo ID.

  3. 3. Medicare — Services Australia

    Via your Medicare online account (myGov), the Express Plus app, or form MS011. Free.

  4. 4. ATO

    Update via myGov using the certificate details, or by phone — before tax time, so payroll and your TFN record match.

  5. 5. Passport

    A new application with your marriage certificate. Free replacement if your current passport was issued under 12 months ago with more than 2 years' validity; otherwise standard fees.

  6. 6. Electoral roll — AEC

    Updating your enrolment is a legal requirement — 5 minutes at aec.gov.au.

  7. 7. Banks, employer, super and the long tail

    After the new licence: banks (letter each), HR/payroll, super fund and binding beneficiary nominations, insurance, frequent flyer profiles (must match your passport).

Do I need my TFN or Medicare number for any of this online?

Never give them to a third-party website. Official myGov services will authenticate you directly; printed forms get the numbers added with a pen.

Can I keep travelling under my old name?

Yes — you can keep using your current passport in your former name until it expires, as long as bookings match the passport. Change everything else at your own pace.

Want it all done for you?

The Australia Name Change Kit builds your personalized New South Wales checklist and writes a signed-and-ready letter for every bank and your employer — one PDF, instantly.

All states · document-preparation aid, not legal advice.