Adult Passport - Applying under a new name

Step 1 - Fill out your application form (Australian Passport Overseas Application) (PC8). 

You may complete your form by online by visiting this link: https://online.passports.gov.au/.

This link will allow you to confirm that you are eligible to renew your adult passport.

Note: You cannot download blank forms.

After you have completed your form online, print it and sign inside the white box and date the application form. Make sure there are no alterations to signatures or dates.

Step 2 - Prove your Australian Citizenship

You must provide an original copy of the revised Australian Citizenship Certificate (in your new name), an original copy of the existing Australian Citizenship Certificate (in your old name) or an original full Australian Birth Certificate to prove Australian citizenship. Extracts, commemorative birth certificate or birth cards cannot be used. If you were born in Australia after 20 August 1986, you must also provide one of the following four documents: 

1. Your Australian passport issued on/after 1/1/2000 that was valid for 2 years or more; or
2. One parent’s full Australian birth certificate (parent born prior to 20/08/1986); or
3. One parent’s Australian passport issued on/after 20/8/1986 that was valid for 2 years and was valid at the time of the applicant’s birth; or
4. One parent’s Australian citizenship certificate, valid at the time of the applicant’s birth.

If you cannot provide the above documents, you must get a certificate of citizenship.  Please refer to the Australian Citizenship section under Visas and Citizenship for further information.

If your Australian citizenship document does not show your sex or place and country of birth, you must also provide your original birth certificate (not an extract, commemorative birth certificate or birth card), or, if you cannot present your original birth certificate, your foreign passport.

If you are providing your existing Australian Citizenship Certificate (in your old name), you are also required to provide name change documents (see Step 6).

Translation of foreign documents

Any supporting documentation that is not in English will need an original full English language translation provided by a registered translation service.

Step 3 - Take two passport photos. Some photo shops may not have the most updated Australian passport photo specifications. Home-printed photos are usually not acceptable as there are strict requirements. Please carefully check on the Passport photo guidelines to avoid rejection.  

The “crown of head” is where the top of your skull would be if it were visible. It is not the top of your hair or the start of your hairline. Picture yourself bald and measure from the top of your skull to the tip of your chin.

Your Guarantor (see Step 5) must endorse one photo in black pen as follows: “This is a true photo of [the applicant’s full name]”, and then sign it below. Do not use paper clips or staples to attach photos to the form as this may make them unusable.

Step 4 – Guarantor

As well as endorsing your photo, ensure Section 11 is completed by a guarantor who meets the following criteria:

• is 18 years of age or over
• has known the applicant for at least 12 months
• is not related to the applicant by birth, marriage, de facto or same sex relationship, or live at the applicant's address
• holds a current (unexpired) Australian passport that was issued with at least two years validity OR be currently employed in the following approved professional or occupational group.
  • Accountants with membership of an association
  • Bailiffs & Sheriffs
  • Barrister, Solicitors & Patent Attorneys
  • Bank Managers
  • Chartered Professional Engineers
  • Civil Servants - with at least 5 years continuous full-time service
  • Clerk of Courts or Petty Sessions
  • Dentists
  • Elected Representatives/Officials
  • Judges
  • Marriage Celebrants (i.e. parish priests, imams)
  • Registered Pharmacists
  • Registered Chiropractors
  • Registered Physiotherapists
  • Registered Optometrists
  • Registered Mid-wives
  • Police Officers - with at least 5 years continuous full-time service
  • Postal Managers
  • Registered Medical Practitioners (Doctors and GPs only)
  • Registered Nurses
  • Registered Veterinary Surgeons
  • Registered Teachers - with at least 5 years continuous full-time service

Applicants born in Australia

Name change due to personal preference

• The original copy of the revised birth certificate or name change certificate issued by Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state you were born. A RBDM name change certificate does not need to be legalised.

Name change due to marriage

• If you were married overseas, please contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in the state you were born to apply for a RBDM name change certificate. You cannot use a foreign marriage certificate to change your name and must instead register your new name with the RDBM in Australia. A RBDM name change certificate does not need to be legalised.

• If you were married in Australia, you must present your official RBDM marriage certificate (not the ceremonial certificate you receive on the day of the ceremony). You must apply to the RBDM to receive your official marriage certificate. A RBDM marriage certificate does not need to be legalised.

Name change due to divorce or death of a spouse

• If you revert to a former family name after divorcing or following the death of your spouse, you must present document(s) that link your current name and that previous name, such as a divorce certificate or marriage certificate.

Applicants born outside of Australia

Name change due to personal preference

• The original copy of the Certificates of Registered Particulars issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department for Australian Citizens who were born in Hong Kong and currently residing in Hong Kong. This document must be apostilled by the High Court of HKSAR. If you were not born in Hong Kong, please contact the country of your birth to get a name change certificate. This document must be legalised or apostilled by the issuing government.

Name change due to marriage

• If you were married overseas, you must present the original copy of the marriage certificate which has been legalised or apostilled by the issuing government.
• If you were married in Australia, you must present your official RBDM marriage certificate (not the ceremonial certificate you receive on the day of the ceremony). You must apply to the RBDM in the State you were married to receive your official marriage certificate. A RBDM marriage certificate does not need to be legalised.

Name change due to divorce or death of a spouse

• If you revert to a former family name that has not been recorded by Department of Home Affairs, Registry of Birth Death and Marriage or Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after divorcing or following the death of your spouse, you must present a name change certificate such as Certificates of Registered Particulars issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department if you were born in Hong Kong.   If you were not born in Hong Kong, please contact the country of your birth to get a name change certificate.  This document must be legalised or apostilled by the issuing government.

Gratis name change

If you have more than two years validity remaining on your current passport, you can replace it free of charge if you are changing your name due to:

• marriage
• divorce
• entering into or ceasing to be in a registered or de facto relationship
• the death of a spouse or partner
• transitioning to a new gender 

The replacement passport showing your new name will be issued with the same expiry date as the passport being replaced.

Step 6 – Additional documents

You need specific documents to prove your identity. You must provide the following combinations of original documents:

• One document from category A, and
• One document from category B
• If neither of these documents shows your current address, you must also provide one document from category C that shows your current address.

Category A (All Category A documents should be current at the time of application)

• Current driving licence issued by an Australian/foreign government’s driving/traffic/motor vehicle licensing authority
• Foreign residency card
• Australian Proof of Age or Photo Card

Category B (All Category B documents must be current at the time of application, with the exception of the Australian passport)

• Health card issued by a government authority
• Credit card or bank account card with current signature on the back
• Foreign passport
• Previous Australian Passport (issued on or after 1 July 2000 with more than two years validity that has not been expired for over ten years)

Category C (All Category C documents must be no more than 12 months old at the time of application and show your current residential address)

• Utilities bills
• Bank or credit card statements
• Motor vehicle registration or insurance papers
• Property rates notice or property lease agreement
• Home insurance papers

Step 7 – Lodge your application and pay the fee. Appointments for passport applications must be booked online. Before booking an appointment, please read the relevant information and ensure you have all the requirements as we cannot proceed with your application if you do not bring the correct documentation.

Things to bring:

1. The completed and signed Australian Passport Overseas Application form.
2. Your most recent Australian passport, if applicable.
3. Proof of citizenship (see Step 2).
4. Two passport photos (see Step 3).
5. Name change documents (see Step 5).
6. Additional documents (see Step 6).
7. A (Mastercard/Visa) credit or debit card to pay your fee.

Passport fees

• You can view more information on passport fees
• Payment can be made in Philippine Pesos or Australian Dollars

To book an appointment, please click on the 'book appointment' button below.

Cancelling or rescheduling your appointment

• You will be sent an email notification through setmore.com each time an appointment is booked – it will contain an appointment cancellation/modification link and will appear as per below:

• If you want to modify an appointment, click "Reschedule" and you will receive a message on a new tab allowing you to modify the appointment.
• If you want to cancel an appointment, click "Cancel Appointment" and you will receive a message on a new tab asking you to confirm cancellation.
• If you require assistance, please send your email to [email protected].

Step 8 – Allow up to six (6) weeks for processing

Your passport will be processed within six (6) weeks.  You may choose either to collect your passport or have it sent to your local address by courier. If choosing the courier service, kindly provide a self-addressed prepaid envelope either from JRS Express courier service. Your envelope is what we will use to send your passport to your nominated address.