Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Adoption Act 1984 - SECT 56

Names of adopted child

56. Names of adopted child



(1) Upon the making of an adoption order-

   (a)  the surname of the adopted child shall be-

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

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

   (iii) where there are two adoptive parents who have different surnames, one
        of those surnames-

where that surname was specified in the application for the adoption order as
the proposed surname of the child 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 child shall be such name or
        names as the Court, in the adoption order, approves on the application
        of the adoptive parent or adoptive parents.

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

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