Changing your child's name
Overview
Usually, both parents need to agree to change a child's name, even if they're not together. Once your child is 16, you can't change your child's name without their consent.
You can apply to change your child's name if they:
- are under 18, and
- were born here or are an NZ citizen, or they're entitled to live here indefinitely (they're a permanent resident of NZ or Australia, or they’re Australian)
All the child's parents or legal guardians need to sign the official form to change the child's name — even if the parents aren't together.
If your child is 16 or 17, they need to agree to the name change and sign the form.
If all the parents or guardians can't sign the form
If a parent or legal guardian is not able to sign the form, you need to say why on your statutory declaration. You'll need to show evidence that they're:
- missing and you've tried to find them
- dead, or
- of unsound mind or unable to act because of a medical condition.
Sometimes the Family Court might allow one guardian to act alone to change a child's name — in this case, include the original papers issued by the court with your application, or a certified copy of them.
What you can change your child's name to
You can change all or part of your child's name.
Their new name has to consist of one surname and one or more other names. If you have religious, philosophical or cultural reasons to have only one name, you need to include a letter of explanation with your application.
The new name might not be accepted if it's:
- offensive
- longer than 100 characters, including spaces
- an official title or rank, or resemble one (eg Justice, King, Prince or Princess, Royal) unless you can justify why your child should be allowed that name
- spelled with numbers or symbols (eg V8).
How to apply — if your child is under 2 and was born in NZ
You don't need to provide any documents to change your child's name.
Complete the form
Application to register a name change within 2 years of birth BDM 36 (PDF 1.2MB)
If you're ordering a new birth certificate, you’ll need a referee to sign the form — they must be over 16, and have known you for at least 6 months or seen your official photo ID.
Pay the fee
It costs $55 to change your child's name before their second birthday.
You can pay by:
- credit card
- money order
- cheque made out to the Department of Internal Affairs.
If you need an official record of the name change, you can also order a new birth certificate. This costs extra.
Get a record of your child's name change
Post your form
Post your form, along with your payment, to:
New Zealand
Name change team
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 10-526
Wellington 6143
Australia
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
GPO Box 365
Sydney
New South Wales 2001
UK
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
New Zealand House
80 Haymarket
London SW1Y4TQ
You can also change your child's name in person in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch.
How to apply — if your child is 2 to 18 or was born outside NZ
You'll need certified copies of documents that prove the identity of all the child's parents or legal guardians. If your child was born outside New Zealand, you'll also need documents that show when and where they were born, and that they're entitled to be in NZ indefinitely.
If your child is 16 or 17
If your child is 16 or 17, they need to agree to the name change and sign the form.
If they're married, in a civil union or a de facto relationship, they can change their own name without your permission.
Complete the form
Get your documents together
1. Photo ID
All parents or guardians need a certified copy of their:
- passport
- driver licence
- firearms or dealer’s licence
- defence force or police service photo identity card
- NZ emergency travel document
- NZ certificate of identity (issued under the Passports Act 1992 or the Immigration Act 2009)
- NZ refugee travel document, or
- 18+ Card or overseas proof of age card.
You'll need to show your photo ID to the person who witnesses you signing the statutory declaration on the form. That person may be able to certify your documents at the same time.
2. Proof of your identity in the community
All parents and guardians need copies of two different documents that show their names. These could be:
- utility account bill (eg gas, electricity, mobile phone)
- bank statement
- lease or tenancy agreement
- rates notice
- SuperGold card
- Inland Revenue tax statement
- electoral roll record
- motor vehicle registration
- student or tertiary identity card
- educational certificate or school report
- trade certificate
- certificate of approval or licence issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority
- Steps to Freedom form
- confirmation of permit status from Immigration NZ.
If you don't have the documents you need, contact Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Find an authorised person to sign the statutory declaration
All parents or guardians need to show their original photo ID to the person who takes the statutory declaration. Authorised people vary depending on the country you're signing the form in — in New Zealand, the most common options are:
- Justice of the Peace
- Notary Public
- Judge
- Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- High court lawyer.
Pay the fee
It costs $170.00 to change your child's name.
You can pay by:
- credit card
- money order
- cheque made out to the Department of Internal Affairs.
If you need an official record of the name change, you can also order a:
- new birth certificate (if they were born in NZ)
- name change certificate (if they were born overseas).
These cost extra.
Get a record of your child's name change
Email or post your form and documents
Scan and email your form and documents, along with your payment details, to: ISBDMMaintenanceTeam@dia.govt.nz
Post your form and documents, along with your payment, to:
New Zealand
Name change team
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
PO Box 10-526
Wellington 6143
Australia
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
GPO Box 365
Sydney
New South Wales 2001
UK
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Internal Affairs
New Zealand House
80 Haymarket
London SW1Y4TQ
You can also change your child's name in person in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch.
Births, Deaths and Marriages offices
Get a record of your child's name change
To change your child's name on their other ID, like their passport, you need evidence to show you've officially changed their name.
If they were born in NZ
Order a new birth certificate to prove their name has changed. This will show their new name and all their previously registered names.
You can apply for a new birth certificate on the name change form or request one later.
What happens next
If you've also requested a new birth certificate or name change certificate, this will be posted to you after about 3 weeks. Otherwise, you'll be sent a confirmation email or letter.
Change your child's name on their official ID
Your child's name won't automatically be changed on their other documents, like their passport. If they have a passport, you'll have to order a new one for them.
Get or renew a New Zealand passport
Tell people about your child's name change
Government agencies and other organisations won't automatically be notified about your child's change of name. It's up to you to update their information with places like IRD, their bank and KiwiSaver.
