← All states and territories

Paperwork helper · VIC

Victoria: name and gender marker paperwork

Easy Read

• You can change your name with Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
• You can change the sex on your Victorian birth certificate. You do not need surgery.
• You need a statutory declaration, and a supporting statement from an adult who has known you for at least 12 months.
• You must send back your old Victorian birth certificates, or explain why you can’t.
• After that, you can update your other documents.
• This is general information, not legal advice. Check the official page before you apply.

General information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so always follow the official page. Each fact below comes from the linked government source. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

This page is for people whose birth is registered in Victoria. If you were born in another Australian state or territory, use that state’s page instead. If you were born overseas, the rules for people living in VIC are noted where the official pages cover them.

1. Change your registered name

• This page is for adults (over 18) born in Victoria. Other situations are covered on BDM Victoria’s Change a name page.
• You can change your name only once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime.
• You can verify your identity online or with certified copies of documents.
• BDM Victoria says you’ll need the new certificate to update identity documents such as your driver licence and passport.

Source: BDM Victoria: Change your name (adult born in Victoria). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

2. Update your sex or gender marker

• BDM Victoria says: “You don’t need to have surgery.” (Change a record of sex)
• Adults born in Victoria need a statutory declaration (that your birth is registered in Victoria, that you believe your sex is the one you nominate, and that you haven’t changed it in the last 12 months) and a supporting statement from an adult who has known you for at least 12 months.
• The official page does not list a doctor’s or psychologist’s letter as a requirement.
• You must enter a sex descriptor. BDM Victoria accepts most descriptors, with some limits (for example no symbols or numbers, and a 100-character maximum). See Sex descriptors.
• You must return original Victorian birth certificates, or provide a statutory declaration explaining why you can’t.
• If you were born outside Victoria and live there, you can apply for a recognised details certificate.

Source: BDM Victoria: Change your record of sex (adult born in Victoria). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

3. Update your other documents

There’s no official order for updating your other documents. This is one suggested order, not a rule. Check each agency’s page for what it needs.

1. Your registry: name and/or sex or gender marker

   Get your change of name certificate and/or new birth certificate (or recognised details certificate) first. Other agencies may ask to see them. See the two sections above.

2. Driver licence or photo card (VIC)

   Updated photo ID can make later steps easier. VicRoads: Update your name or gender.

3. Medicare

   Name: call the Medicare program line and have a supporting document ready (for example a change of name certificate or reissued birth certificate). Gender: you can update it online in myGov (Medicare > My details > Edit), or by phone, in person or in writing, and Services Australia says you don’t need supporting documents. It notes this may affect cancer screening reminders. Services Australia: Medicare details.

4. Centrelink

   Legal name: bring your Births, Deaths and Marriages documents to a service centre. You can update your preferred name online in myGov if your Centrelink online account is linked. Centrelink may still use your legal name when it writes to you. Gender: update it in myGov (Centrelink > My details). Documents are only needed in some cases, such as Child Support records. Centrelink: update your name · Centrelink: update your gender.

5. Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

   Update your name in myGov (ATO > My profile). You’ll need to verify an identity document such as a change of name certificate or birth certificate. ATO: Update your name.

6. Passport

   If you change your name for reasons other than marriage or relationship status, the Passport Office says to stop using your current passport and apply for a new one. Passports show M, F or X. To change it, you provide one of the following:

   • a registry gender recognition certificate
   • a revised birth certificate
   • a recognised details certificate
   • a South Australian identity acknowledgement certificate
   • a statement from a registered doctor or psychologist on form B14.

   Not all countries recognise X. Check before you travel. Australian Passport Office: Change of name or gender.

7. Electoral roll (AEC)

   Update your enrolment details online. You’ll need a driver licence number, passport number, Medicare card details or citizenship number, or someone who is enrolled to confirm your identity. AEC: Update my details.

8. Banks, super, insurance and utilities

   There’s no single official process. Contact each provider directly and ask what they need. Usually it’s your new certificate and updated photo ID.

About this order: it’s a common, practical sequence, not an official rule. Federal agencies follow the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender, but each one has its own steps. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Help and community

These are independent organisations. Truename isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by them.

• Transgender Victoria (TGV): trans-led organisation, including peer navigation
• Equinox, Thorne Harbour Health: trans and gender diverse health service

See all community resources.