Tasmanian Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 1988 - SECT 54

      (1) On the making of an adoption order –

(a) the surname of the adopted person shall be –

(i) where there is one adoptive parent, the surname of the adoptive parent; or

(ii) where there are 2 adoptive parents who have the same surname, that surname; or

(iii) where there are 2 adoptive parents who have different surnames, one or both of those surnames –

where that surname or each of those surnames, as the case may be, was specified in the application for the adoption order as the proposed surname of the person and is approved by the court or such other surname as the court approves in the adoption order; and

(b) the forename or forenames of the adopted person shall be such name or names as the court, in the adoption order, approves on the application of the adoptive parents.

      (2) Where, before the making of an adoption order, the adopted person has been generally known by a particular surname, the court may, in the adoption order, order that the person shall have that name as his surname.

      (3) The court shall not approve a name as a surname or forename of an adopted person unless the court is satisfied that, so far as practicable, the wishes and feelings of the person have been ascertained and due consideration given to them having regard to the age and understanding of the person.

      (4) Nothing in this section prevents the changing of a name of an adopted person, after the making of the adoption order, in accordance with any other Act or law.