Western Australian Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 1994 - SECT 74

74 .         Name of adoptee

        (1)         If an adoption order is made, the Court is to, by the same order, declare the name by which the adoptee is to be known.

        (2)         Before making an order changing an adoptee’s name, the Court is to have regard to — 

            (aa)         the principle that a child’s first name should not be changed at the time of adoption except in special circumstances;

            (a)         section 34(3) of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998 ;

            (b)         the wishes expressed by the adoptee on the subject; and

            (c)         any adoption plan that is made in relation to the adoptee and approved by the Court.

        (3)         The Court is not to change the name of an adoptee who is 12 or more years of age unless the adoptee — 

            (a)         consents to the change; or

            (b)         is incapable by reason of mental disability of consenting.

        (4)         An order under this section does not prevent a subsequent change of name under a law of the State or the Commonwealth.

        [Section 74 amended by No. 40 of 1998 s. 6(3); No. 8 of 2003 s. 40.]