The Law Handbook 2024

312 Section 4: Relationships, families and young people Passports and evidence of a name change The evidence of a name change that is accepted by the Australian Passport Office is listed at www. passports.gov.au/have-you-changed-your-name . More information • Most of the law on naming children, registering changes to children’s names and changing birth registration details can be found in the BDMR Act. • The BDM Vic’s website (www.bdm.vic.gov.au) is a useful source of information. • Most of the law on changing names is common law (for an explanation on the difference between common law and statute law, see ‘Sources of Australian law’ in Chapter 1.1: Where our laws come from). • For decisions made by the (formerly called) Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, see the Family Law Case Reports. • For change of name upon adoption orders, see section 56 of the Adoption Act 1984 (Vic). • For other Acts relevant to name changes, see the schedule to the BDMR Act. • The CCH Australian Family Law and Practice publication is also a useful reference. Contacts Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDM Vic) Ground floor, 595 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 1300 369 367 Web: www.bdm.vic.gov.au County Court of Victoria 250 William Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel (general queries): 8636 6888 Web: www.countycourt.vic.gov.au Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) Tel: 1300 352 000 Email: enquiries@fcfcoa.gov.au Web: www.fcfcoa.gov.au Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) Tel: 1300 018 228 Email: admin@vcat.vic.gov.au Web: www.vcat.vic.gov.au VCAT hears matters at venues in metropolitan and regional Victoria; see VCAT’s website for addresses.