Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 - SECT 26

Application to register change of child's name

26. Application to register change of child's name



(1) The parents of a child-

   (a)  who is domiciled or ordinarily resident in the State; or

   (b)  whose birth is registered in the State-

may apply to the Registrar, in a form approved by the Registrar, for
registration of a change of the child's name.

(2) An application for registration of a change of a child's name must be
accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(3) An application for registration of a change of a child's name may be made
by one parent if-

   (a)  the applicant is the sole parent named in the registration of the
        child's birth under this Act or any other law; or

   (b)  there is no other surviving parent of the child; or

   (c)  the Court approves the proposed change of name.

(4) The Court may, on application by a child's parent, approve a proposed
change of name for the child if satisfied that the change is in the child's
best interests.

(5) If the parents of a child are dead, cannot be found, or for some other
reason cannot exercise their parental responsibilities to a child, the child's
guardian may apply for registration of a change of the child's name.