I am in Australia, finally, with a permanent Visa 119. I wish to change my name as I got married 3 years ago but couldnt change it then because we in the middle of applying. I would like to do this especially for my anniversary comming soon, how do I go about it? My main concern is my British passport with my visa stamp in it as this would have to change first. I have my marriage certificate, do I just copy this and send it out to banks etc.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP
mrs SAMJAM , cant wait to change it!! its like getting married again

anybody? I would really appreciate any advice at all thanks x

I would assume you just tell everyone (banks, passport office, driving licence people etc...) and send in a copy of your marriage certificate.

You should be able to keep your old passport, so you will still have your visa stamp, just in a different passport.

You can apply for a new passport through Canberra, then get a visa sticker put in it for free at your local DIMA office - just take both passports along, plus the marriage cert to prove change of name, and they will print you a sticker in the new name.
easiest thing to change, I found - much easier than banks and stuff! I have resorted to leaving my bank accounts in my maiden name.

http://bhc.britaus.net/Passports/passportsdefault.asp

I kept my bank account in my maiden name for years, it was a nightmare when signing stuff as I would always forget what signature to use

thanks everyone xx

Hi Samjam,
What's life like in Canberra? Hope you are all well and settled.
BS

I've now got a credit card in my married name, a card and bank account in my maiden name and my UK account in my maiden name. Also, thats the name they know me by at work - confuses the heck out of people when I use the married name on the phone sometimes!
O have signed ( to my knowledge) in the wrong name 3 times on the new card, but noone has queried it yet