Divorce Guide |
Post Divorce Name Change Options in AustraliaWomen generally adopt surnames of their husband’s family after getting married. However, if they get divorced they might want to shun their husband’s family name and adopt their paternal family surnames. The article is an overview on the post divorce name change options in Australia. Dacia Smith was married to John Smith. Dacia’s original surname was Williams. After 8 years of marriage Dacia got divorced. She wanted to change her surname and legally adopt Williams as her surname. There are a number of females like Dacia in Australia and other countries who want to legally change their surnames after divorce. Australian Family Laws permit everyone to change their names or surname but the change should be certified legally. Why is it important to adopt a new name legally?One can start using a new surname or name whenever she wishes. However, it is advisable that you change your surname officially and create an evidence of name change. This is helpful for the purposes of identification. For example, Sarah retained the marital house after divorce. Before divorce she used Williams as her surname and so the house was registered in the name of Sarah Williams. However, after divorce she changed her name to Sarah Smith. Eventually there was a clash between her new and old surname in Government records and she was questioned by the authorities while paying property tax. Then she had to present official papers for her name change in order to explain the matter to the authorities. The name change should be updated in important identification documents like Passport, Social Security Card, driving license, and so on. There are a number of ways for post divorce name change in Australia. For getting your name changed officially you need to apply in the Registry of Marriages. It usually takes 8-10 weeks for the name to be changed officially. After you get the certificate of name change you can notify all the important organizations with which you are linked, for example, bank, post office, IT Department, workplace, and so on. One can present legal divorce documents and name change certificate to apply for name change in passport. A new passport with the changed name is issued to the person. You might need to pay the fee for a new passport in this case, but it’s worth it. Children’s name can also be changes after divorce of their parents but for that the written consent of both the parents is required. In case one of the parents applies to the court for changing the name of child, the Australian court analyzes the case and listens to both the parties before taking the final decision. Australian family laws give full independence to females who want to change their surnames after divorce. However, it is better if the name change is done officially and all the relevant organizations are notified properly. There are a number of private agencies that provide post divorce name change options to Australians. If you have less time and information then these agencies can come handy.
|
Divorce in Australia
Divorce Advice for Australians Divorce GuideDirvorce in Europe
| |
|
|
|
|