Queensland: Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023 (Qld)

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023 An Act to provide for the registration of births, deaths and marriages, and for other purposes Part 1 Preliminary 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023. 2 Commencement This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation. 3 Objects The objects of this Act are to provide for— (a) the collection and maintenance, in registers kept by the registrar, of information about— (i) births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, adoptions, changes of name and alterations of sex; and (ii) transfers of parentage under the Surrogacy Act 2010; and (iii) transfers of parentage under the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020; and (iv) another matter that the registrar is required to keep information about under another Act; and (b) the issue of documents that acknowledge the name and sex of persons who are resident in Queensland and were born outside of Queensland; and (c) access, in appropriate cases, to information— (i) in a register mentioned in paragraph (a); or (ii) collected and maintained under section 105; and (d) the issue of certified and uncertified information from a register; and (e) the collection and dissemination of statistical information. 4 Definitions The dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act. Part 2 Births 5 Notification of birth (1) For each child born in Queensland, the responsible person must give a notice, in the form required by the registrar and in an approved way, to the registrar. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. (2) The responsible person is— (a) if the child was born in a hospital, or brought to a hospital within 24 hours after birth—the person in charge of the hospital; or (b) otherwise— (i) a doctor present at the birth; or (ii) if a doctor was not present at the birth—a midwife present at the birth; or (iii) if neither a doctor nor a midwife were present at the birth—a person, other than the birth parent, present at the birth; or (iv) if the birth parent was alone at the birth—the birth parent; or (v) if the birth parent dies or abandons the child—the person who takes physical custody of the child, for example, a person who discovers the child with the body of the birth parent. (3) The notice must be given within 2 working days after the birth. (4) A person need not comply with subsection (1) if someone else has complied with subsection (1). (5) In this section— midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the midwifery profession, other than as a student. 6 Births that must be registered in Queensland (1) The birth of a child must be registered if— (a) the child is born in Queensland; or (b) a Queensland court— (i) finds that the child was born in Queensland; and (ii) makes an order that— (A) directs that the birth be registered; and (B) states the particulars about the birth that are prescribed by regulation. (2) For subsection (1)(b)(ii)(B), the Queensland court is only required to state the particulars about the birth that are available to the court at the time of making the order. (3) In this section— child includes a stillborn child born after 30 April 1989. 7 Births that may be registered in Queensland (1) The birth of a child may be registered under this Act if— (a) the child is born in an aircraft or vessel outside Queensland; and (b) the child is not, between the time when the child is born and when the child arrives in Queensland, taken to a place outside Queensland. Example of paragraph (b)— A woman gives birth on a ship travelling non-stop from Sydney to Tokyo. The mother and child are flown by helicopter from the ship to Brisbane to enable them to receive medical care. The birth may be registered in Queensland. (2) The birth of a child outside Australia may be registered under this Act if— (a) the child's parents intend to live in Queensland; and (b) when the application for registration is made, the child is— (i) resident in Queensland; and (ii) not older than 18 months. (3) The birth of a child may be registered under this Act if a non-Queensland court— (a) finds that the child was born in Queensland; and (b) makes an order that— (i) directs that the birth be registered; and (ii) states the particulars about the birth that are prescribed by regulation. (4) For subsection (3)(b)(ii), the non-Queensland court is only required to state the particulars about the birth that are available to the court at the time of making the order. (5) The birth of a stillborn child born in Queensland before 1 May 1989 may be registered under this Act if, at the same time, the registrar is able to register the death of the child. (6) The registrar must not register under this section a birth that has been registered in another State or country. (7) In this section— place does not include an aircraft or vessel. 8 Responsibility to apply to have birth registered (1) If the birth of a child must be registered in Queensland, the following persons must apply to register the birth— (a) both parents of the child; (b) if the child was found abandoned as a newborn—the person taking care of the child. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. (2) However, the registrar may accept an application completed by only 1 of the parents if the registrar is satisfied— (a) the applicant is unable or unwilling to give information as to the other parent's identity or whereabouts; or Examples— 1 The applicant does not know the other parent's identity. 2 The applicant does not know the other parent's whereabouts. (b) the other parent is unable, unwilling or unlikely to sign the application; or Examples— 1 The other parent is dead. 2 The other parent can not be located. (c) the requirement under subsection (1)(a) for the other parent to apply to register the birth would cause the applicant unnecessary distress. Examples— 1 The applicant is too frightened to contact the other parent because of a domestic violence situation. 2 Contact between the applicant and the other parent would breach a domestic violence order. (3) If the registrar accepts an application under subsection (2)(a) or (b) and has an address for the other parent, the registrar must, before registering the birth— (a) give the other parent— (i) written notice of the application; and (ii) at least 14 days written notice of the registrar's intention to register the birth; and (b) ask the other parent to sign an application. (4) A failure of the registrar to comply with subsection (3), or a failure of the parent of a child to sign an application as requested under subsection (3)(b), does not prevent the registration of the child's birth or affect the validity of the registration. (5) Also, the registrar may accept an application from a person who is not responsible for having the child's birth registered if the registrar is satisfied— (a) the child's parents are unable, or unlikely, to apply to register the birth; and (b) the person knows the relevant facts. (6) If the registrar does not receive an application under subsection (1), (2) or (5) for a birth, the registrar may require 1 of the following persons to apply to register the birth— (a) the person in charge of the place where the child was born; (b) a person present at the birth; (c) a person whom the registrar reasonably believes knows the relevant facts. (7) A person must comply with the registrar's requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. 9 How to apply to register the birth of a child (1) An application to register the birth of a child must be— (a) in the form required by the registrar (a birth registration application); and (b) made in an approved way. (2) The birth registration application must be given to the registrar— (a) in the case of a birth where variations of sex characteristics have been identified—within 180 days after the birth; or (b) otherwise—within 60 days after the birth. (3) However, the registrar may accept a birth registration application given— (a) in the case of a birth mentioned in subsection (2)(a)—more than 180 days after the birth, if satisfied the birth happened; or (b) in the case of a birth mentioned in subsection (2)(b)—more than 60 days after the birth, if satisfied the birth happened. (4) If the birth of the child is being registered under an order of a court directing the birth to be registered, the birth registration application must be accompanied by a copy of the order. (5) The registrar may require the applicant to give to the registrar other information the registrar believes is relevant to the birth registration application. 10 How births are registered (1) The registrar registers the birth of a child by entering in the register of births— (a) for a birth that is directed by a court to be registered— (i) the particulars about the birth stated in the court's order; and (ii) any other information the registrar considers appropriate to enter; or (b) for another birth— (i) the particulars prescribed by regulation; and (ii) any other information the registrar considers appropriate to enter. (2) Despite subsection (1)(b)(i), the registrar may register the birth of a child even though some or all of the particulars mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) for the birth are not available to the registrar. 11 Registration of parentage details (1) This section applies if a person applies— (a) to register the birth of a child; or (b) to include information about the identity of a child's parent in the register of births after the child's birth has been registered. (2) The registrar must not include information in the register of births that identifies a person as the parent of a child unless— (a) both— (i) the person signed a birth registration application; and (ii) the registrar is satisfied that the person is a parent of the child; or (b) the registrar is entitled under the Status of Children Act 1978, section 26 to presume that the person is a parent of the child. (3) However, the registrar may include information about the identity of a parent who did not sign a birth registration application if— (a) the registrar is satisfied that the parent did not sign because— (i) the parent is dead; or (ii) the parent's whereabouts are unknown; or (iii) the parent is, for another justifiable reason, unable to sign; or (b) the registrar is satisfied that the parent does not dispute the correctness of the information; or (c) the registrar is entitled under a law, including a law of another State or the Commonwealth, to make a presumption as to the identity of the child's parent. (4) The registrar may require a person who claims that someone is a parent of a child to prove it by giving the registrar a copy of a court finding mentioned in the Status of Children Act 1978, section 26. 12 How parentage details may be registered (1) In relation to the registration of a relevant event for a child— (a) each of the child's parents may be registered as the child's— (i) mother; or (ii) father; or (iii) parent; and (b) not more than 2 people in total may be registered as the child's parents (however described). (2) In this section— final adoption discharge order means— (a) an order for the discharge of a final adoption order under the Adoption Act 2009; or (b) an order of another Australian jurisdiction that corresponds to an order mentioned in paragraph (a). relevant event, for a child, means— (a) the child's birth; or (b) the child's adoption; or (c) the child's transfer of parentage under— (i) a parentage order or parentage discharge order; or (ii) a final adoption discharge order; or (iii) a cultural recognition order or the discharge of a cultural recognition order. 13 Court order relating to birth register (1) A court, on application by an interested person or on its own initiative, may order the registrar to— (a) register the birth of a child born in Queensland; or (b) include or correct particulars about a child's birth, other than the child's name, in the register of births. (2) However, a person may not apply for an order under subsection (1) if the person has, under section 124, applied to QCAT for a review of a decision of the registrar in relation to the same matter. (3) In this section— court means— (a) for particulars about a child's parentage—the Supreme Court; or (b) otherwise—the District Court. 14 Child's name (1) A birth registration application, other than an application to register the birth of a stillborn child, must state the child's name. (2) If a birth registration application states only 1 name for the child, the name is taken, for this Act, to be the child's surname. (3) Subsection (4) applies if— (a) the name stated in the birth registration application is a prohibited name; or (b) for a birth registration application that is made by both parents—the registrar is satisfied that the parents can not agree on the child's name; or (c) no name is stated in the birth registration application. (4) The registrar may choose a name for the child and enter it in the register. (5) However, the registrar can not choose a first name for a stillborn child if the applicants have indicated that they do not wish to name the child. (6) One of the ways in which the applicants may indicate that they do not wish to name the child is by not putting a name for the child in the birth registration application. (7) Before entering a name in the register for a child under subsection (4), the registrar must give the applicants at least 14 days written notice of the registrar's intention to do so. (8) If a child's parents can not agree on a name for the child, either parent may apply to a Magistrates Court to decide the child's name. (9) The Magistrates Court may— (a) choose a name for the child, other than a prohibited name, that is in the child's best interests; and (b) order that the name be entered in the register of births for the child. 15 Application to change child's first name within a year of birth (1) This section applies if a child's birth or adoption was registered in Queensland. (2) The child's parents may apply to register a change of the child's first name. (3) However, 1 of the parents may apply to register a change of the child's first name if— (a) the parent is the only parent of the child entered in the relevant child register; or (b) the other parent is dead and there is no other person with parental responsibility for the child; or (c) the parent has sole parental responsibility, under a parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), part VII, to make decisions about— (i) major long-term issues for the child; or (ii) the child's name; or (d) a Magistrates Court approves the change of name under section 16. (4) A person may apply to register a change of the child's first name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 1 apply to the person in relation to the child; and (b) the person is a person mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (5) Two or more persons may apply to register a change of the child's first name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 2 apply to the persons in relation to the child; and (b) the persons are persons mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (6) An application made under this section— (a) must be in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation; and (c) may be made only once and within a year of the child's birth. (7) The registrar may register, or refuse to register, a change of a child's first name. (8) The registrar must refuse to register a change of a child's first name to a prohibited name. (9) Before registering a change of a child's first name the registrar may require the applicant to provide evidence to satisfy the registrar of the applicant's identity. (10) In this section— register a change, of a child's first name, means register a change of the child's first name in the relevant child register. 16 Magistrates Court may approve change of child's first name A Magistrates Court may, on application by an eligible person for a child whose birth or adoption was registered in Queensland, make an order approving a proposed change of first name for the child if— (a) the name is not a prohibited name; and (b) the court is satisfied that the change is in the child's best interests. Part 3 Adoptions and transfers of parentage Division 1 Preliminary 17 Definitions for part In this part— relevant parentage register— (a) for an event that is an adoption or a discharge of an adoption—means the adopted children register; or (b) for an event that is a transfer of parentage under a cultural recognition order or a discharge of a transfer of parentage under a cultural recognition order—means the cultural recognition register; or (c) for an event that is a transfer of parentage under a parentage order or a discharge of parentage under a parentage order—means the parentage order register. State includes New Zealand. Division 2 Registrar receives initial notice or initial order 18 Application of division (1) This division applies if— (a) the registrar receives, under the Adoption Act 2009, section 289, a notice (an initial notice) of the making of a final adoption order; or (b) the registrar receives, under the Adoption Act 2009, section 290B, a notice (also an initial notice) to record an adoption granted in another country. (2) This division also applies if— (a) the registrar receives— (i) an order (an initial order) of another jurisdiction that corresponds to a final adoption order; or (ii) a notice (also an initial notice) of the making of an order, that corresponds to a final adoption order, of another State; and (b) the order relates to a person whose birth or previous adoption is registered in Queensland. (3) This division also applies if— (a) a parentage order (also an initial order) is made in relation to a child whose birth was registered in Queensland; and (b) the registrar receives— (i) an application to register the initial order accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation; and (ii) an original copy of the initial order. (4) This division further applies if— (a) a cultural recognition order (also an initial order) is made in relation to a person whose birth was registered in Queensland; and (b) the registrar receives a copy of the initial order from the commissioner. (5) In this section— commissioner means the person appointed as commissioner under the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020. 19 Registering event in relevant parentage register (1) The registrar must register the event to which the initial notice or initial order relates by incorporating the initial notice or initial order into the relevant parentage register for the event. (2) If the registrar receives an original copy of an initial order mentioned in section 18(3)(a), the registrar must also incorporate into the parentage order register information from the application mentioned in section 18(3)(b)(i). (3) The registrar must close the person's birth entry and any previous entry in the adopted children register by— (a) noting on the birth entry or previous entry in the adopted children register (each of which is a closed entry) a reference to the registration mentioned in subsection (1); and (b) noting on the relevant parentage register for the event a reference to the closed entry or entries. Division 3 Registrar receives discharge notice or discharge order 20 Application of division (1) This division applies if the registrar receives, under the Adoption Act 2009, section 289, a notice (a discharge notice) of the making of an order of the Supreme Court discharging a final adoption order. (2) This division also applies if— (a) the registrar receives— (i) an order (a discharge order) of another jurisdiction that corresponds to an order mentioned in subsection (1); or (ii) a notice (also a discharge notice) of the making of an order, that corresponds to an order mentioned in subsection (1), of another State; and (b) the order relates to a person with an entry in the adopted children register. (3) This division also applies if— (a) the registrar has registered a parentage order about a person under section 19; and (b) a parentage discharge order (also a discharge order) is made discharging the parentage order; and (c) the registrar receives— (i) an application to register the discharge order accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation; and (ii) an original copy of the discharge order. (4) This division further applies if— (a) the registrar has registered a cultural recognition order about a person under section 19; and (b) a discharge order, within the meaning of the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020, schedule 1 (also a discharge order), is made discharging the cultural recognition order; and (c) the registrar receives— (i) an application to register the discharge order; and (ii) an original copy of the discharge order under the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020, section 79. 21 Re-registering birth (1) The registrar must re-register the person's birth by making a new entry in the birth register that includes— (a) the person's names as declared in the discharge order or discharge notice; and (b) all of the information that was in the entry closed under section 19(3) other than information about the making or discharge of the initial order or the order to which the initial notice relates; and (c) a note that the new entry was made under this section; and (d) a reference to the entry closed under subsection (3). (2) The registrar must note on the entry closed under section 19(3)— (a) that the person's birth has been re-registered under this section; and (b) a reference to the new entry made under subsection (1). (3) The registrar must close the entry in the relevant parentage register that was made to register the initial order or order to which the initial notice relates by— (a) incorporating, in the entry, the discharge notice or discharge order; and (b) noting on the entry— (i) that the initial order or order to which the initial notice relates has been discharged; and (ii) that the person's birth has been re-registered under this section; and (iii) a reference to the new entry made under subsection (1). (4) If the registrar receives an original copy of a discharge order mentioned in section 20(3)(b), the registrar must also incorporate information from the application mentioned in section 20(3)(c)(i) into the parentage order register. (5) If the registrar receives an original copy of a discharge order mentioned in section 20(4)(b), the registrar must also incorporate information from the application mentioned in section 20(4)(c)(i) into the cultural recognition register. (6) The registrar may make any other notations in the register that the registrar considers necessary to ensure the register includes the correct information for the person. Division 4 Other provisions 22 Sending notice of particular adoption orders and discharges to other States (1) This section applies if— (a) the registrar receives, under the Adoption Act 2009, section 289, a notice of a final adoption order or an order discharging a final adoption order; and (b) the registrar knows or suspects there is an entry for the adopted person's birth or adoption in a register kept under a law of another State. (2) The registrar must give a notice of the making of the order to the appropriate officer in that State with responsibility for keeping the register. 23 Addendum to birth certificate (1) This section applies if— (a) a person (the applicant)— (i) applies to the registrar, in the form required by the registrar and in an approved way, for requested information or a certificate about an entry for the person in the birth register; and (ii) is at least 18 years at the time of making the application; and (b) a parentage order in relation to the applicant was registered in the parentage order register under section 19 (even if the entry in the parentage order register was later closed under section 21); and (c) the registrar gives the requested information or issues the certificate to the applicant. (2) The registrar must attach an addendum to the information or certificate stating that further information is available about the entry. (3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the registrar must not issue the addendum to any person other than the applicant. Part 4 Change of name Division 1 Preliminary 24 Definitions for part In this part— adult person includes a person under 18 years who is, or has been, married. child does not include a person under 18 years who is, or has been, married. 25 Change of name by registration (1) A person's name may be changed by registration of the change under this part, unless the change has been registered under a corresponding law. Note— See also sections 19 and 21 for changes to a person's name under a parentage order, parentage discharge order, cultural recognition order or discharge of a cultural recognition order. (2) It is no longer possible in Queensland to change a person's name by deed poll. (3) However, this part does not prevent the change of a person's name by repute or usage. Division 2 Change of adult person's name 26 Application to register change of adult person's name (1) An adult person may apply to register a change of the person's name only if— (a) the person's birth or adoption was registered in Queensland; or (b) both of the following apply— (i) the person was born outside Australia and the person's birth was not registered in another State; and (ii) the person has been ordinarily resident in Queensland for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the person makes the application. (2) Despite any restriction in subsection (1), the registrar may accept an application to register a change of an adult person's name if the registrar is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances for accepting the application. (3) Despite any restriction in subsection (1)(b)(ii), the registrar may accept an application to register a change of an adult person's name if— (a) the application relates to a marriage or divorce of the person; or (b) the registrar is satisfied the application is for the purpose of protecting the person, a child of the person or another person associated with the person. Example for paragraph (b)— The application is for the purpose of protecting the adult person or a child of the adult person from domestic violence. (4) An application made under this section must be— (a) in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation. (5) In this section— register a change, of an adult person's name, means register a change of the person's name in the change of name register. 27 Limit on number of name changes for adult person (1) The registrar must not approve an application to register a change of name for an adult person if the registrar is aware that— (a) 3 or more changes of the person's name have been registered in Queensland or another State; or (b) the person has had a change of name registered in Queensland or another State in the 12 months immediately before the person makes the application. (2) For the purpose of counting the previous registrations of changes of an adult person's name under subsection (1), a change of name by the person when the person was a child is not to be counted. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply if— (a) the application is made under section 39(4) or 50(4) or the registrar is otherwise satisfied the change of name is an affirmation or expression of the person's sex; or (b) the application relates to a marriage or divorce of the adult person; or (c) the registrar is satisfied that the application is for the purpose of protecting the adult person, a child of the adult person or another person associated with the adult person; or Example for paragraph (c)— The change of name is sought for the protection of the adult person or the person's children from domestic violence. (d) the registrar is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances for approving the application. Division 3 Change of eligible child's name 28 Meaning of eligible child (1) A child is an eligible child, for an application to register a change of the child's name, if— (a) the child's birth or adoption was registered in Queensland; or (b) both of the following apply— (i) the child was born outside Australia and the child's birth was not registered in another State; (ii) either— (A) the child has been ordinarily resident in Queensland for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the application is made; or (B) the application is made within 12 months of the child's birth and at least 1 person who makes the application has been ordinarily resident in Queensland for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the application is made. (2) Despite any restriction in subsection (1), a child is an eligible child, for an application to register a change of the child's name, if the registrar is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances for accepting the application. (3) Despite any restriction in subsection (1)(b)(ii), a child is an eligible child, for an application to register a change of the child's name, if— (a) the application relates to a marriage or divorce of at least 1 of the applicants; or (b) the registrar is satisfied that the application is for the purpose of protecting the child or a person associated with the child; or Example for paragraph (b)— The application is for the purpose of protecting the child from domestic violence. (c) a non-Queensland court has directed the registrar to accept the application. 29 Application by parents and others to register change of eligible child's name (1) An eligible child's parents may apply to register a change of the child's name. (2) However, 1 of the parents may apply to register a change of the eligible child's name if— (a) the parent is the only parent of the child entered in the relevant child register or shown on the child's birth certificate; or (b) the other parent is dead and there is no other person with parental responsibility for the child; or (c) the parent has sole parental responsibility, under a parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), part VII, to make decisions about— (i) major long-term issues for the child; or (ii) the child's name; or (d) a Magistrates Court approves the change of name under section 30. (3) A person may apply to register a change of an eligible child's name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 1 apply to the person in relation to the child; and (b) the person is a person mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (4) Two or more persons may apply to register a change of an eligible child's name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 2 apply to the persons in relation to the child; and (b) the persons are persons mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (5) An application made under this section must be— (a) in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation. (6) In this section— register a change, of an eligible child's name, means register a change of the child's name in the change of name register. 30 Magistrates Court may approve change of eligible child's name A Magistrates Court may, on application by an eligible person for an eligible child, make an order approving a proposed change of name for the child if— (a) the name is not a prohibited name; and (b) the court is satisfied that the change is in the child's best interests. 31 Eligible child's consent to change of name (1) The registrar must not approve an application to register the change of the name of an eligible child who is 12 years or more unless the registrar is satisfied that the child— (a) consents to the change of name; or (b) is unable to understand the meaning and implications of the change of name. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if a Magistrates Court has approved the change of name. 32 Limit on number of name changes for child (1) The registrar must not approve an application to— (a) register the change of a child's first name if the registrar is aware a change of name, other than a change of name under section 15, has already been registered for the child in Queensland or another State; or (b) register the change of a child's name, other than the child's first name, more than once in a 1-year period. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if— (a) the application is made under section 42 or 53 or the registrar is otherwise satisfied the change of name is an affirmation or expression of the child's sex; or (b) the application relates to a marriage or divorce of at least 1 of the applicants; or (c) the registrar is satisfied that the application is for the purpose of protecting the child or a person associated with the child; or Example for paragraph (c)— The change of name is sought for the protection of the child from domestic violence. (d) the registrar is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances for approving the application; or (e) a Magistrates Court or non-Queensland court has approved the change of name. Division 4 General 33 Registration of change of name (1) Before registering the change of a person's name, the registrar may require— (a) evidence of the following— (i) the identity, age and residence of the person; (ii) that the change of name is not sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose; and (b) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Corrective Services Act 2006, section 27—a copy of the written permission; and (c) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, section 43AB—a copy of the written permission; and (d) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004, section 74A—a copy of the written permission; and (e) other information the registrar believes is relevant to the application. (2) The registrar may register, or refuse to register, a change of a person's name. (3) The registrar must refuse to register a change of name— (a) if the registrar is not satisfied of— (i) the identity of the applicant, or each of the applicants; and (ii) the identity of the person whose change of name is to be registered; or (b) if the registrar reasonably suspects that the change of name is sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose; or (c) if the proposed name is a prohibited name. (4) If an application to register a person's change of name states only 1 name for the person, the name is taken, for this Act, to be the person's surname. (5) If the change of name of a person is being registered under an order of a court directing the change of name to be registered, the application must be accompanied by a copy of the order. (6) The registrar may notify the registering authority under a corresponding law of a change of name under this Act. 34 How changes of name are registered (1) The registrar registers the change of a person's name by entering in the change of name register— (a) for a change of name ordered by a court— (i) the particulars about the change of name stated in the court's order; and (ii) any other information the registrar considers appropriate to enter; or (b) for another change of name— (i) the particulars prescribed by regulation; and (ii) any other information the registrar considers appropriate to enter. (2) Despite subsection (1)(b)(i), the registrar may register the change of a person's name even though some or all of the particulars mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) for the change are not available to the registrar. (3) If the registrar registers a change of name of a person whose birth or adoption was registered in Queensland, the registrar must also— (a) if the person requests the change be noted in the relevant child register—note the changed name in the relevant child register; or (b) otherwise—note in the relevant child register that a change of name has been entered in the change of name register. (4) The registrar must note the change of the person's name on the previous entry, if any, for the person in the change of name register. 35 Notation of change of name other than by registration (1) This section applies if— (a) a person's birth or adoption was registered in Queensland; and (b) the person's name has been changed under the law of another State or other legal process. Examples of other legal process— • an order of a Queensland court or a non-Queensland court, including an order approving a change of name • a deed poll under the law of another State (2) An adult person may apply to the registrar to note the change of the person's name. (3) A child's parents may apply to the registrar to note the change of the child's name. (4) However, 1 of the parents may apply to note the change of the child's name if— (a) the parent is the only parent of the child entered in the relevant child register; or (b) the other parent is dead and there is no other person with parental responsibility for the child; or (c) the parent has sole parental responsibility, under a parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), part VII, to make decisions about— (i) major long-term issues for the child; or (ii) the child's name; or (d) a Magistrates Court approves the change of name under section 30; or (e) a Queensland court or non-Queensland court has ordered the change of name. (5) A person may apply to note the change of the child's name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 1 apply to the person in relation to the child; and (b) the person is a person mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (6) Two or more persons may apply to note the change of the child's name if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 2 apply to the persons in relation to the child; and (b) the persons are persons mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (7) An application made under this section must be— (a) in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) accompanied by— (i) a document, prescribed by regulation, that evidences that the person's name has been changed under the law of another State or other legal process; and (ii) the fee prescribed by regulation. (8) Before noting the change of a person's name, the registrar may require— (a) evidence of the following— (i) the identity and age of the person; (ii) that the change of name is not sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose; and (b) other information the registrar believes is relevant to the application. (9) The registrar must not approve an application to note the change of a person's name— (a) if the registrar is not satisfied of— (i) the identity of the applicant, or each of the applicants; and (ii) the identity of the person whose change of name is to be noted; or (b) if the registrar reasonably suspects that the change of name is sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose; or (c) if the name is a prohibited name. (10) If an application to note a person's change of name states only 1 name for the person, the name is taken, for this Act, to be the person's surname. (11) In this section— note, a change of a person's name, means note a change of the person's name in the relevant child register. 36 Re-registration of relevant event after change of name registered or noted (1) This section applies if the registrar— (a) registers the change of a person's name under section 34; or (b) notes the change of a person's name under section 35. (2) If the person is an adult person, the person may apply to re-register the person's relevant event. (3) If the person is a child, the person or persons who applied under section 29 to register the change of the child's name, or under section 35 to note the change of the child's name, may apply to re-register the child's relevant event. (4) An application made under this section must be— (a) in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation. (5) The registrar may re-register the person's relevant event by— (a) making a new entry in the register that includes— (i) all the information that was in the entry for the person's relevant event (the closed entry) in a new entry in the relevant child register, other than information that has been superseded; and (ii) a note that the new entry was made under this section; and (b) noting on the closed entry— (i) that the relevant event has been re-registered under this section; and (ii) a reference to the new entry made under paragraph (a). Part 5 Acknowledgement of sex Division 1 Interpretation 37 Definitions for part In this part— assessment, of a child, means a written assessment of the child by a developmentally informed practitioner who has a relationship with the child, stating— (a) for an application made under division 2— (i) that the application is supported by the developmentally informed practitioner; and (ii) that the child understands the meaning and legal implications of the alteration of the record of sex of the child in the relevant child register; and (iii) the information prescribed by regulation; or (b) for an application made under division 3— (i) that the application is supported by the developmentally informed practitioner; and (ii) that the child understands the meaning and legal implications of the issue of a recognised details certificate for the child; and (iii) the information prescribed by regulation. developmentally informed practitioner means a person who is a type of person prescribed by regulation. Division 2 Persons whose birth or adoption is registered in Queensland Subdivision 1 Preliminary 38 Application of division This division applies to a person whose birth or adoption is registered in Queensland. Subdivision 2 Applications to registrar 39 Application to alter record of sex of person 16 years or more in relevant child register (1) If the person is 16 years or more, the person may apply to alter the record of sex of the person in the relevant child register. (2) An application must— (a) be in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) nominate a sex descriptor; and (c) include a statement, verified by statutory declaration, that the person— (i) identifies as the sex stated in the application; and (ii) lives, or seeks to live, as a person identified by that sex; and (d) be accompanied by— (i) a supporting statement; and (ii) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Corrective Services Act 2006, section 27AA—a copy of the written permission; and (iii) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, section 43ABA—a copy of the written permission; and (iv) the fee prescribed by regulation; and (v) any other documents or information required by the registrar. (3) A supporting statement must— (a) be made by a person who is at least 18 years and who has known the person making the application for at least 12 months; and (b) state that the person making the supporting statement— (i) believes that the person making the application makes the application in good faith; and (ii) supports the application. (4) A person who makes an application under this section may apply at the same time to register a change of the person's first name in the change of name register. 40 Application to alter record of sex of child under 16 years in relevant child register (1) This section applies if the person is a child under 16 years. (2) The child's parents may apply to alter the record of sex of the child. (3) However, 1 of the parents may apply to alter the record of sex of the child if— (a) the parent is the only parent of the child entered in the relevant child register or shown on the child's birth certificate; or (b) the other parent is dead and there is no other person with parental responsibility for the child; or (c) the parent has sole parental responsibility to make decisions about major long-term issues for the child under a parenting order made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), part VII; or (d) the parent has obtained an order from the Childrens Court under section 44, or from another Queensland court or a non-Queensland court, directing the registrar to accept the application; or (e) the parent has obtained a dispensation order. (4) A person may apply to alter the record of sex of the child if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 1 apply to the person in relation to the child; and (b) the person is a person mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (5) Two or more persons may apply to alter the record of sex of the child if— (a) circumstances stated in column 1 of the table in schedule 1, part 2 apply to the persons in relation to the child; and (b) the persons are persons mentioned in column 2 of the table opposite those circumstances. (6) The child may apply to alter the record of sex of the child if the child has obtained an order from the Childrens Court under section 45 directing the registrar to accept the application. (7) In this section— alter the record of sex, of a child, means alter the record of sex of the child in the relevant child register. 41 Form of application to alter record of sex of child under 16 years (1) An application made under section 40 must— (a) be in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) nominate a sex descriptor; and (c) be accompanied by— (i) the fee prescribed by regulation; and (ii) any other documents or information required by the registrar. (2) If a dispensation order was made in relation to the application, the application must also— (a) include a statement that the applicant believes on reasonable grounds that alteration of the record of sex of the child is in the child's best interests; and (b) be accompanied by— (i) a copy of the dispensation order; and (ii) an assessment of the child. (3) If a court order, other than a dispensation order, was made in relation to the application, the application must also be accompanied by a copy of the court order. (4) If the application is not an application in relation to which a court order, including a dispensation order, was made and the application is made by a person other than the child, the application must also— (a) include a statement that the applicant, or each of the applicants, believes on reasonable grounds that alteration of the record of sex of the child is in the child's best interests; and (b) be accompanied by an assessment of the child. 42 Application to register change of child's first name at the same time (1) Subsection (2) applies if— (a) 1 or more persons, other than the child, make an application under section 40; and (b) either— (i) the application is not an application— (A) for which an order of the Childrens Court was sought under section 44(2); or (B) that another Queensland court or a non-Queensland court directed the registrar to accept; or (ii) a dispensation order, that included an order about changing the child's name, was made in relation to the application. (2) The person or persons may apply at the same time to register a change of the child's first name in the change of name register. (3) Subsection (4) applies if— (a) 1 or more persons, other than the child, make an application under section 40; and (b) either— (i) the application is an application the Childrens Court directed the registrar to accept under section 44(2) and the court also made an order under section 44(7) approving a change of name for the child; or (ii) another Queensland court or a non-Queensland court made an order directing the registrar to accept the application and the court also made an order approving a change of name for the child. (4) The person or persons may apply at the same time to register the change of the child's first name in the change of name register. (5) A child who makes an application under section 40 may apply at the same time to register a change of the child's first name in the change of name register, if the Childrens Court makes an order approving the change of name under section 45(10). (6) If an application is made under subsection (4) or (5), the application must be accompanied by a copy of the court order. 43 Action by registrar (1) This section applies if an application is made to the registrar under section 39 or 40 to alter the record of sex of a person in the relevant child register. (2) The registrar may alter, or refuse to alter, the record of sex of the person in the relevant child register. (3) The registrar must refuse to alter the record of sex if— (a) the alteration would result in the recorded sex being a prohibited sex descriptor; or (b) the registrar reasonably suspects that the alteration is sought for a fraudulent or other improper purpose; or (c) a record of the person's sex has been altered under this part within the 12 months immediately preceding the day when the application is made. (4) The registrar alters the record of sex of the person by re-registering the person's relevant event. (5) The registrar re-registers the person's relevant event by— (a) making a new entry in the register that includes— (i) all the information that was in the entry for the person's relevant event (the closed entry) in a new entry in the relevant child register, other than information that has been superseded; and (ii) a note stating the superseded information; and (iii) a note that the new entry was made under this section; and (b) noting on the closed entry— (i) that the relevant event has been re-registered under this section; and (ii) a reference to the new entry made under paragraph (a). Subdivision 3 Applications to Childrens Court 44 Application to Childrens Court by parent or other person (1) This section applies if the person is a child under 16 years. (2) The Childrens Court may, on application by an eligible person for the child, make an order directing the registrar to accept an application to alter the record of sex of the child in the relevant child register. (3) The application must be accompanied by an assessment of the child. (4) The Childrens Court must make the order if the court is satisfied it is in the child's best interests to make the order. (5) In deciding whether making the order is in the child's best interests, the matters to which the Childrens Court may have regard include the following— (a) the assessment mentioned in subsection (3); (b) the views of the child, however expressed; (c) whether the child is sufficiently mature to understand the meaning and legal implications of the alteration of the record of sex of the child. (6) If an eligible person for the child makes an application to the Childrens Court under this section the person may apply to the court at the same time for approval of a proposed change of first name for the child. (7) The Childrens Court may make an order approving the proposed change of first name for the child if— (a) the name is not a prohibited name; and (b) the court is satisfied that the change is in the child's best interests. 45 Application to Childrens Court by child (1) This section applies if— (a) the person is a child of at least 12 years but less than 16 years; and (b) each parent of the child or person with parental responsibility for the child does not support an alteration of the record of sex of the child. (2) The Childrens Court may, on application by the child, make an order directing the registrar to accept an application to alter the record of sex of the child in the relevant child register. (3) The application must include the following statements by the child— (a) that the child is aware that, unless the Childrens Court decides otherwise under section 46(2), a copy of the application must be served on the respondents; (b) that the child is aware the child may make submissions to the Childrens Court under section 46(5). (4) The application must be accompanied by an assessment of the child. (5) The following persons are respondents to the application— (a) each parent of the child; (b) each person with parental responsibility for the child. (6) The child must serve a copy of the application on each of the respondents. (7) The Childrens Court must make the order if the court is satisfied it is in the child's best interests to make the order. (8) In deciding whether making the order is in the child's best interests, the matters to which the Childrens Court may have regard include the following— (a) the assessment mentioned in subsection (4); (b) the views of the child, however expressed; (c) whether the child is sufficiently mature to understand the meaning and legal implications of the alteration of the record of sex of the child. (9) If the child makes an application to the Childrens Court under this section the child may apply to the court at the same time for approval of a proposed change of first name for the child. (10) The Childrens Court may make an order approving the proposed change of first name for the child if— (a) the name is not a prohibited name; and (b) the court is satisfied that the change is in the child's best interests. 46 Dispensing with service of application (1) This section applies if a child makes an application under section 45. (2) The child may also apply to the Childrens Court for an order dispensing with the requirement to serve a copy of the application on 1 or more of the respondents (the requirement). (3) The Childrens Court must not make an order under subsection (2) unless the court is satisfied that the requirement could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the child. (4) For subsection (3), a child is not adversely affected only because— (a) 1 or more of the respondents does not support the alteration of the record of sex of the child; and (b) that lack of support causes discomfort to the child. (5) The child may make submissions to the Childrens Court about whether the court should make an order under subsection (2). (6) If the child makes submissions under subsection (5), the Childrens Court must, after considering the submissions, decide whether the requirement could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the child. (7) If the Childrens Court decides that the child could not reasonably be expected to be adversely affected by the requirement, the court must give the child a written notice stating— (a) the reasons for the court's decision; and (b) that the child may, in writing, withdraw the application before the end of a stated period of at least 28 days after the day the notice is given; and (c) that the child may appeal against the court's decision under section 78(2) within 28 days after the decision is made. Subdivision 4 Effect of alteration of record of sex 47 Effect of alteration of record of sex of person in relevant child register (1) If the record of a person's sex in the relevant child register is altered under this division, the person is a person of the sex as altered for the purposes of, but subject to, a law of the State. (2) Subsection (3) applies to a person who has an entitlement— (a) under a will; or (b) under a trust; or (c) otherwise by operation of law. (3) The person does not, except as otherwise provided under the will, the trust or by the law conferring the entitlement, lose the entitlement only because the record of the person's sex has been altered in the relevant child register. Division 3 Queensland residents born elsewhere Subdivision 1 Preliminary 48 Application of division This division applies in relation to a person who— (a) was born outside of Queensland; and (b) has been ordinarily resident in Queensland for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the person makes an application, or an application is made on behalf of the person, under this division. 49 Meaning of recognised details certificate A recognised details certificate, for a person, is a document that acknowledges the person's name and sex. Subdivision 2 Applications to registrar 50 Application for recognised details certificate for person 16 years or more (1) If the person is 16 years or more the person may apply to the registrar for a recognised details certificate for the person. (2) An application must— (a) be in the form required by the registrar and made in an approved way; and (b) nominate a sex descriptor; and (c) include a statement, verified by statutory declaration, that the person— (i) identifies as the sex stated in the application; and (ii) lives, or seeks to live, as a person identified by that sex; and (d) be accompanied by— (i) a supporting statement; and (ii) evidence of the person's name and residency; and (iii) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Corrective Services Act 2006, section 27AA—a copy of the written permission; and (iv) if the person may only make the application with written permission under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, section 43ABA—a copy of the written permission; and (v) the fee prescribed by regulation; and (vi) any other documents or information required by the registrar. (3) A supporting