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About Nicholas

I created this blog to really help Adelaide brides who are planning their wedding. I've been been a professional photographer for 15 years. My work has appeared in the New York Times, Style Me Pretty and brides.com. In 2015 Style Me Pretty interviewed me, in 2016 Complete Wedding Magazine called me "One of the World's Best Wedding Photographers".

How to change your name once you are married in Adelaide

Do you need to change your name once you are married? It seems if you call Births, Deaths and Marriages in Adelaide and speak to three different people you will get three different answers.

Adelaide marriage celebrant Sunnie Hames gives us the her expert take on this question which confuses a lot of Adelaide brides.

SH: You can legally use your married name as soon as you are married however if you want to have certain documents, for example passport or drivers licence, reflect your new married name you will need a Full Marriage Certificate.

The ceremonial certificate presented to you at your wedding does not have your family's name history or certain security features and so it along is not enough evidence of your new name when applying for a passport or driver's license.

Full marriage certificates are available from the registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) from the state where you were married. They are available approximately 2 weeks after receiving the information from the celebrant (which hopefully is immediately after your wedding).

A full marriage certificate is the only official document needed as evidence of your new name; you don't need to go through any other formal process.

Other supporting documents, such as proof of identity or address, may be required when changing your name with various organisations. You may be asked to send documents as a photocopy, certified copy or provide originals. A few organisations may need you to complete their own name change form.

The Births, Deaths and Marriages website provides greater detail.