Schools are getting tough. If your child is enrolled on the actual birth certificate surname then you need legal evidence of the change
But there are ways around it when you move you dont produce the birth certificate and your child came from overseas or interstate at the very least
Your worries begin in high school when they want a tax file number as you are unable to produce there passport or birth certificate in there assumed name.

My 10 yr old just changed his last name.  The others are right, their bio dad needs to sign the forms.  If you go to the births deaths marriages website or even your local court house you can get the form.  Because we dont have an office in our area I had to get all the proof certified by a JP.  It got sent back and forward a few times as I always left something out.  There is a list of what you need that will be on the website too.  It cost us about $130 I think maybe a littl more.  I was lucky, my stupid head ex refused to sign the birth certificate when my son was born because I gave my son MY last name not his.  Mind you his first 3names were his!  I used his last name as his second middle name.  His first name was his fathers and his middle name was his.  Well it's bitten him in the ass now coz he has no claim over his son unless he goes to court..... (drugo's tend to want to stay away from court so I guess im in the clear)

My step-brother and step-sister wanted to change their surnames to my Dad's surname.  They were unable to do this legally (in Australia) without their biological dad's permission, but they both used my Dad's surname in general use and were registered at school under my Dad's surname.  It's only legal documents that require a birth certificate that they have to use the name on their birth certificate.  Once my step-brother turned 18 he changed his name by deed poll and my step-sister intends to do the same.

my understanding is that if the dad is still iiving he has to agree and sign papers to make it legal.I know at least for Centrelnk purposes we are not mean't to change the child name from what is on the birth cert without legal change of the name. Perhaps seek legal advice?

My understanding is that (in Australia) a child is entitled to carry the same last name as their in situ parent/s. No legal rigmarole involved. So just as you are entitled to revert to your maiden name, your child is entitled to it as well.

Hi I did this for my daughter and had to get her biological father to sign the papers.  He kicked up a stink about it but ended up signing them.     Since I have remarried I was hoping to change her name so that she matches the rest of us but apparently I still have to get his permission to do this even though he hasn't had anything to do with her for 10 years.  It seems really stupid but thats the law.  I noticed someone mentioned petitioning the court to see if it could be done but I still think they require you to contact the biological father in order to do it.  Best to check the Family Law Court for rules and regulations as each state is different.

Cheers 

I found it easy to change my son's name.  Get the forms, fill them out, pay the fee, done.  To get the forms and other information contact the Dept. of Births, Deaths & Marriages in your state.  It's no worse than registering your child's name in the first place.  However, the biggest problem you may face is that they may require the approval and signature of the father - and that's where you may have no end of problems.  For some daft reason, many fathers that get in a huff about their children's name being changed are the one's that don't see them.  Go figure.

I have recently looked into this as my girls want to change their last names. In australia you have to try to get the other parent to sign the papers and pay a fee. If the other parent won't sign the papers you can take the matter to court and have a judge decide wether or not it is in the childrens best interests to have their names changed.

 Lexi xxx

I know you have to petition the biological parent to sign the relevant forms,I don't think it is too difficult if the other party is co-opperative I also think that if they don't respond to the petition within a certain time frame it gets passed.They can change by deed poll after the age of 18.I would go to your local court house and ask. regards Merle