A child’s name
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Under the BDMR Act:
a child’s name can be registered under any name, rather than only under the name of one or both of the parents;
the BDM registrar can assign a name to a child if the child’s proposed name is a prohibited name, or if both parents satisfy the BDM registrar that they are unable to agree on the child’s name; and
if there is a dispute between the parents about a child’s name, either parent can apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) or the County Court of Victoria to resolve the dispute. The court can make an order requesting that the BDM registrar register the child’s name as specified in the order (note that there is no specific provision in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) that grants power to a court to order the BDM registrar to record a new name, but courts will do this if it is in the child’s best interest).
The above information relates to the naming of a child after birth. There are additional rules that apply to the registration of the child’s birth and parentage details (see www.bdm.vic.gov.au/baby).
Changing a child’s name
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Restrictions apply to changing a child’s name:
A person under the age of 18 cannot apply to register a change to their name unless they are married or have been married.
For a child born in Victoria, the parents of a child under the age of 18 can apply to BDM Vic to register a change of name. If the child was born interstate, the parents must apply to the relevant Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in that state. If the child was born overseas but has lived in Victoria for at least the last 12 months, the parents can apply to BDM Vic to register the name change.
A parent does not have the right to unilaterally change a child’s family name, even if they have the primary care of the child. Such a change requires the consent of both parents or a court order.
One parent can apply to register a change to their child’s name if that parent is named as the sole parent in the child’s birth registration (or under any other law), or they are the only surviving parent, or if a court approves the parent’s proposed name change (a court will approve a proposed change if it is in the child’s best interest).
A child’s guardian can apply to register a change to the child’s name if the child’s parents are dead, cannot be found, or cannot exercise their parental responsibilities.
If the child is 12 years or older, they must consent to changing their name unless the BDM registrar is satisfied that the child is unable to understand the meaning and implications of the name change. This provision may need to be taken into account in any court proceedings.
The BDM registrar can refuse to register any change to a child’s name if, as a result of registration, the new name would become a prohibited name (the meaning of which is discussed in ‘Registering a new name’, above).
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Most cases involving changing a child’s name will be heard in the FCFCOA.
Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the FCFCOA can make decisions about the names of children where presumption of parentage arises from marriage, cohabitation, registration of birth, or a court. The FCFCOA can also make decisions enabling a child’s name to be changed, or stopping a child’s name from being changed, or restoring a child’s previous name.
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria can make decisions about a child’s name with the consent of both parties. If consent is refused or withdrawn, the matter is transferred to the FCFCOA.
If a child’s name is to be changed for reasons not related to a family law matter, the matter can be heard in the County Court. Contact the registrar of the County Court for further advice on this matter (see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter).
When making a decision about changing a child’s name, a court must, above all, consider what is in the child’s best interest. For more information about the child’s best interest see Chapter 4.2: Parental responsibilities and child support.
Note that when a court makes an order changing a child’s family name, it is not necessary for the other parent to sign any documents, as the court has the power to order the BDM registrar to register the child’s new name.
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Children of unmarried parents (e.g. partners living in a de facto relationship) have the same legal status as children of married parents. For more information, see Chapter 4.3: Same-sex and de facto couples and families.
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In all parenting matters, including disputes associated with a child’s name, the applicant must participate or attempt to participate in mediation before filing an application with a court. This means that the applicant must not only provide relevant information to the other party and make a genuine attempt to settle the matter out of court, but they must also obtain a certificate that the matter could not be resolved through mediation. These certificates are issued by authorised dispute resolution practitioners.
Information about pre-action procedures and compulsory mediation is available from the FCFCOA’s website.
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When an adoption order is made in Victoria, the adopted child’s surname is changed in accordance with section 56 of the Adoption Act 1984 (Vic).
The court has to approve the adopted child’s new surname or any proposed new first name(s). The court may not do so until the child’s wishes and feelings are ascertained; these wishes are factored into the court’s decision, with the child’s age and level of understanding also taken into account.
A child’s name
Chapter: 4.5: Changing your name
Contributor: Talya Faigenbaum, Principal Lawyer, Nest Legal
Current as of: 1 September 2024
Law Handbook Page: 269
Next Section: More Information and Contacts
