A rose by any other name... Changing your last name...
March 28th 2008 05:45
Changing your last name is a private matter that most women struggle with during the entire lead up to their wedding.
These days, it is becoming increasinly popular to keep one's maiden name and simply hyphenate the childrens names to reflect both the Mother & Father.
Others see it as a new beginning, a chance to start a fresh, new life with the person they love. Whichever way you look at the end result, you'll have to agree that the process of changing your name can be a real drawn out & aggravating time of your life (as I found out when I got married)
Firstly, don't be fooled by the pretty marriage certificate you receive from your Priest or Civil Celebrant. It holds no legal weight what-so-ever. You will need to appraoch Births, Deaths & Marriages for a certified copy which can be used as a legal document to change things like...
Drivers Licence's
Bank Cards & Accounts
Medicare & Health Insurance Details
Rent / Mortgage / Utilities
To obtain a certified certificate of marriage from Births, Deaths & Marriages you will need the following points of ID:
Birth Certificate or Certified Birth Extract
Photo ID - Driver's Licence or Passport
Any other cards - Bank / Credit cards all showing your maiden name.
Below I have listed some details directly from the Births, Deaths & Marriages website to assist you with any queries. For full details and listings you should check directly with Births, Deaths & Marriages as I have only selected a small amount of material. You can access the Births, Deaths & Marriages website here: Births, Deaths & Marriages
FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO ACCESS OUR FORUM VISIT:
Smethurst & Jewell Forum
OR VISIT OUR OTHER BLOG AT:
Our Other Blog
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------
BELOW TEXT WAS TAKEN DIRECT FROM BIRTHS, DEATHS & MARRIAGES WEBSITE TO ASSIST YOU IN THE CHANGE OF NAME PROCESS
Do I need to give notice before I get married?
To be married in Victoria, or any other Australian state or territory, you must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form. The form must be completed and returned to the marriage celebrant or minister at least one month and a day, and no more than eighteen months, before the intended date of marriage.
How do I get married in Victoria?
Couples must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form and submit it according to the timeframe stated above.
Notice of Intended Marriage forms are available from the marriage celebrant or minister who will be performing your marriage ceremony, or by downloading the Notice of Intended Marriage form online. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this form.
At what age can a person marry?
Only one party to the marriage may be under 18 years of age. A person aged 16 or 17 years must obtain parental consent and an order from a judge or magistrate allowing the marriage.
How do I organise a Registry wedding?
The Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages offers a complete wedding ceremony package, seven days a week (excluding public holidays) at the historic Old Treasury Building, Spring Street Melbourne.
With ceremonies, celebrants and photographers available on request, the Registry offers a stress-free, professional and affordable alternative for your big day.
Visit Registry Marriages for further information.
Who can perform my marriage ceremony?
In Victoria your marriage ceremony can be performed by an authorised minister of religion or a civil marriage celebrant.
Marriage ceremonies can also be performed by Registrars at some Victorian regional magistrates' courts. For further information contact your regional court or visit the Attorney-General's Department website for authorised state officers.
Information about marriage in other Australian states and territories or in New Zealand may be obtained through the Australasian Registries website. Civil marriage celebrants are listed in the Yellow Pages under marriage celebrants or can be accessed through the Registry's wedding service. Visit Registry marriages for further information.
What documents must I give the celebrant or minister when booking my marriage?
You must produce:
a birth certificate (if born overseas, a foreign passport is acceptable)
if previously married and divorced, a decree absolute of the divorce (if divorced in Australia, this is obtained from the Family Court of Australia)
if previously married and widowed, a death certificate.
What fee will I be charged for a marriage?
There is no set fee for a marriage in Australia, so make sure you ask the fee before completing your booking.
Visit Registry Marriages for fees associated with ceremonies held at the Registry.
What proof of marriage will I receive when I marry?
You will be required to sign three marriage certificates following the ceremony:
1. an official certificate which the minister or celebrant will send to the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to register the marriage
2. a duplicate which the minister or celebrant keeps as his/her record of the marriage
3. a keepsake certificate which will be given to you by the minister or celebrant on the day of the marriage.
A certified copy of the official certificate can be purchased from the Registry five working days after the presiding celebrant or minister has lodged the relevant registration information with the Registry. This document may be presented to organisations as evidence of the marriage and to facilitate a change of name.
Some organisations including Passports Australia (DFAT) and VicRoads will only accept the official certificate as evidence. Some other organisations may accept the keepsake certificate as proof of marriage for updating surnames, but you should confirm which document is required.
How do I apply for my marriage certificate?
You can apply for your marriage certificate using a marriage certificate application form. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this form.
You can also apply online for your marriage certificate.
What information is included on a marriage certificate?
Information on a marriage certificate includes: marriage ceremony details, bride and groom details, residential details, parents' details, priest/celebrant and witness details.
How do I arrange a marriage overseas?
You should contact the embassy, consulate or local representative of the country where you intend to marry for information on the legal requirements for that country.
Some countries require a certificate confirming that you are free to marry. If you require such a document, you can apply to the Registry for a single status certificate.
It is no longer possible to marry in an Australian embassy.
Can I register an overseas marriage in Australia?
Marriages that occur in a foreign country cannot be registered in Australia. You should follow the necessary registration procedures in the country where you marry and obtain your marriage certificate before you leave that country so that you have it when you return to Australia.
If your intended spouse is not an Australian citizen or resident, but you will be requesting residency on the basis of your overseas marriage, you will need to have official copies of your overseas marriage certificate to lodge with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You should contact DIAC directly for advice as to their requirements.
How can I become a Civil Marriage Celebrant?
Civil Marriage Celebrants are appointed by the Federal Attorney-General's Department in Canberra. Information on the process is available on the Australian Attorney-General's Department website.
Fees
There is no fee payable for accessing or submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage. If a certified copy of the marriage certificate is required, a fee of AUD$25.80 is payable.
If Express Post within Australia is required, a fee of AUD $4.00 will be charged. Charges of AUD $11.00 will apply for International Express Postage.
Application Form
Download a notice of intended marriage form or a marriage certificate application form. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download these documents.
You can also apply online for your marriage certificate.
IF THIS DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUERY THEN PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME DIRECT WITH YOUR QUESTION. I WILL BE HAPPY TO RESEARCH IT FOR YOU AND PROVIDE HELP AND ADVICE.
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------
These days, it is becoming increasinly popular to keep one's maiden name and simply hyphenate the childrens names to reflect both the Mother & Father.
Others see it as a new beginning, a chance to start a fresh, new life with the person they love. Whichever way you look at the end result, you'll have to agree that the process of changing your name can be a real drawn out & aggravating time of your life (as I found out when I got married)
Firstly, don't be fooled by the pretty marriage certificate you receive from your Priest or Civil Celebrant. It holds no legal weight what-so-ever. You will need to appraoch Births, Deaths & Marriages for a certified copy which can be used as a legal document to change things like...
Drivers Licence's
Bank Cards & Accounts
Medicare & Health Insurance Details
Rent / Mortgage / Utilities
To obtain a certified certificate of marriage from Births, Deaths & Marriages you will need the following points of ID:
Birth Certificate or Certified Birth Extract
Photo ID - Driver's Licence or Passport
Any other cards - Bank / Credit cards all showing your maiden name.
Below I have listed some details directly from the Births, Deaths & Marriages website to assist you with any queries. For full details and listings you should check directly with Births, Deaths & Marriages as I have only selected a small amount of material. You can access the Births, Deaths & Marriages website here: Births, Deaths & Marriages
FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO ACCESS OUR FORUM VISIT:
Smethurst & Jewell Forum
OR VISIT OUR OTHER BLOG AT:
Our Other Blog
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------
BELOW TEXT WAS TAKEN DIRECT FROM BIRTHS, DEATHS & MARRIAGES WEBSITE TO ASSIST YOU IN THE CHANGE OF NAME PROCESS
Do I need to give notice before I get married?
To be married in Victoria, or any other Australian state or territory, you must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form. The form must be completed and returned to the marriage celebrant or minister at least one month and a day, and no more than eighteen months, before the intended date of marriage.
How do I get married in Victoria?
Couples must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form and submit it according to the timeframe stated above.
Notice of Intended Marriage forms are available from the marriage celebrant or minister who will be performing your marriage ceremony, or by downloading the Notice of Intended Marriage form online. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this form.
At what age can a person marry?
Only one party to the marriage may be under 18 years of age. A person aged 16 or 17 years must obtain parental consent and an order from a judge or magistrate allowing the marriage.
How do I organise a Registry wedding?
The Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages offers a complete wedding ceremony package, seven days a week (excluding public holidays) at the historic Old Treasury Building, Spring Street Melbourne.
With ceremonies, celebrants and photographers available on request, the Registry offers a stress-free, professional and affordable alternative for your big day.
Visit Registry Marriages for further information.
Who can perform my marriage ceremony?
In Victoria your marriage ceremony can be performed by an authorised minister of religion or a civil marriage celebrant.
Marriage ceremonies can also be performed by Registrars at some Victorian regional magistrates' courts. For further information contact your regional court or visit the Attorney-General's Department website for authorised state officers.
Information about marriage in other Australian states and territories or in New Zealand may be obtained through the Australasian Registries website. Civil marriage celebrants are listed in the Yellow Pages under marriage celebrants or can be accessed through the Registry's wedding service. Visit Registry marriages for further information.
What documents must I give the celebrant or minister when booking my marriage?
You must produce:
a birth certificate (if born overseas, a foreign passport is acceptable)
if previously married and divorced, a decree absolute of the divorce (if divorced in Australia, this is obtained from the Family Court of Australia)
if previously married and widowed, a death certificate.
What fee will I be charged for a marriage?
There is no set fee for a marriage in Australia, so make sure you ask the fee before completing your booking.
Visit Registry Marriages for fees associated with ceremonies held at the Registry.
What proof of marriage will I receive when I marry?
You will be required to sign three marriage certificates following the ceremony:
1. an official certificate which the minister or celebrant will send to the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to register the marriage
2. a duplicate which the minister or celebrant keeps as his/her record of the marriage
3. a keepsake certificate which will be given to you by the minister or celebrant on the day of the marriage.
A certified copy of the official certificate can be purchased from the Registry five working days after the presiding celebrant or minister has lodged the relevant registration information with the Registry. This document may be presented to organisations as evidence of the marriage and to facilitate a change of name.
Some organisations including Passports Australia (DFAT) and VicRoads will only accept the official certificate as evidence. Some other organisations may accept the keepsake certificate as proof of marriage for updating surnames, but you should confirm which document is required.
How do I apply for my marriage certificate?
You can apply for your marriage certificate using a marriage certificate application form. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this form.
You can also apply online for your marriage certificate.
What information is included on a marriage certificate?
Information on a marriage certificate includes: marriage ceremony details, bride and groom details, residential details, parents' details, priest/celebrant and witness details.
How do I arrange a marriage overseas?
You should contact the embassy, consulate or local representative of the country where you intend to marry for information on the legal requirements for that country.
Some countries require a certificate confirming that you are free to marry. If you require such a document, you can apply to the Registry for a single status certificate.
It is no longer possible to marry in an Australian embassy.
Can I register an overseas marriage in Australia?
Marriages that occur in a foreign country cannot be registered in Australia. You should follow the necessary registration procedures in the country where you marry and obtain your marriage certificate before you leave that country so that you have it when you return to Australia.
If your intended spouse is not an Australian citizen or resident, but you will be requesting residency on the basis of your overseas marriage, you will need to have official copies of your overseas marriage certificate to lodge with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You should contact DIAC directly for advice as to their requirements.
How can I become a Civil Marriage Celebrant?
Civil Marriage Celebrants are appointed by the Federal Attorney-General's Department in Canberra. Information on the process is available on the Australian Attorney-General's Department website.
Fees
There is no fee payable for accessing or submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage. If a certified copy of the marriage certificate is required, a fee of AUD$25.80 is payable.
If Express Post within Australia is required, a fee of AUD $4.00 will be charged. Charges of AUD $11.00 will apply for International Express Postage.
Application Form
Download a notice of intended marriage form or a marriage certificate application form. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download these documents.
You can also apply online for your marriage certificate.
IF THIS DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUERY THEN PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME DIRECT WITH YOUR QUESTION. I WILL BE HAPPY TO RESEARCH IT FOR YOU AND PROVIDE HELP AND ADVICE.
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------
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