The regulations that govern change of name are just as important as the legislation. The regulations that govern this in the ACT are the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Regulation 1998.

It should be noted that prior to 2008 there were no prescribed particulars with relation to change of name entries or certificates. The current provisions were introduced by Simon Corbell in early 2008, and are highly problematic trans people especially with regard to (a), (b) and (d). Provisions (f) and (g) also present new issues for children of trans people.

Here are the regulations current as of 11/10/09.

5A    Change of name entries in register—Act, s 21

The following particulars are prescribed:
(a)    the person’s name immediately before the change of name;
(b)    the name shown on the person’s original birth certificate, and any other former names of the person;
(c)    the person’s name as changed;
(d)    the person’s sex;
(e)    the person’s date and place of birth;
(f)    the name and any former name of the person’s mother;
(g)    the name and any former name of the person’s father.