Current polls suggest that there is a decline in bride’s changing their name to that of their husband once marriage takes place.
A number of brides now either retain their surname after marriage, or use the hyphenated name which includes her own, and the groom’s name.
To continue to use her own name, the bride doesn’t need to do anything.
If she wants to change her name to that of the groom she needs to contact the various organisations or services concerned. Some of the changes she will be making could include:
- drivers licence
- car registration
- passport
- bank accounts
- Medicare
- private health fund
- insurance policies
- superannuation
- electoral enrolment
- memberships
- store accounts
While in some cases, the wedding certificate the bride receives from the celebrant on the wedding day will be sufficient proof of her married status, there are a number of authorities which require the official wedding certificate.
This can only be acquired from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriage after the marriage is registered by the celebrant. I will the registration process for you online and let you know when your certificate is ready this can take up to six weeks in busy periods such as March and October.
To apply for an official marriage certificate (current cost $31.00) you can do it in person at:
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages 595 Collins Street Melbourne
Phone 1300 369 367
Office hours 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday
Download the application form from the Victoria BDM website. You can also apply online and have it sent to you.
http://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/home/marriages/
If the bride wants to hyphenate her name with that of the groom, the process becomes a legal change of name.
Apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths or Marriages in the state of your birth, or find out more by seeing your solicitor.
The Sassy Marriage Celebrant 