Lisa was born and married in Victoria and later moved to Perth. She received her WA driver’s licence with her married name. After her divorce, she decided to revert to her maiden name and update her WA driver’s licence and transport records.
Published on 24 Feb 2026
How Lisa reverted to her Maiden name after divorce
Categories:
How to/resources
Next steps to change Lisa's name
Step 1: Gathering the required documents
Since Lisa’s maiden name has never been recorded by Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) systems, she must provide documents to establish a link between her married name and her maiden name.
Lisa needs to bring the following to a DTMI service centre:
Primary and Secondary Proof of Identity (POI)
To meet DTMI requirements, Lisa needed to provide Primary and Secondary proof of identification documents. Lisa notes the documents she brings must include a signature. After reading the list of documents, Lisa chooses to bring in:
- Her current WA driver’s licence (in her married name) - Primary POI
- Her current Australian credit card with signature - Secondary POI
Form C4 – Change of Personal Details
Lisa completes a Change of Personal Details - Form C4 [PDF 261kb] to formally request the name change.
Linking Documents
To link her maiden and married name, Lisa brings original copies of her Marriage Certificate and Victorian Birth Certificate. These documents officially link her married name back to her maiden name and is accepted by DTMI.
If she did not have original copies of her birth certificate or marriage certificate, Lisa would need to contact the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to obtain her birth certificate and marriage certificate.
Note: Overseas documents (e.g., divorce papers or foreign name change certificates) can’t be used to update customer details.
Step 2: Visiting a DTMI service centre
Lisa visits a DTMI service centre with all her documents. She submits:
- Her completed Change of Personal Details - Form C4 [PDF 261kb]
- Her original Primary and Secondary Proof of Identity documents
- Her original Victorian-issued Birth Certificate
- Her original Victorian-issued Marriage Certificate (not ceremonial)
There is no fee to process the name change itself, but Lisa pays $33.30 for a replacement driver’s licence card.
Once your Change of Personal Details has been approved, we encourage you to apply for a replacement driver's licence card. This can assist you to consolidate your identity under your new name.
When you apply for a replacement driver’s licence card, an interim paper licence with your updated details will be issued, and your existing card may be collected and destroyed.
The Outcome
Lisa’s name was successfully updated in the DTMI system. She received a new WA driver’s licence showing her maiden name and updated signature.
Key Takeaways
- If your maiden name is not recorded by the DTMI system, you must provide a link between identities in the form of an Australian Birth Certificate and an Australian Marriage Certificate from the Australian state or territory it was issued.
- The process must be completed in person at a DTMI service centre, regional DTMI office, or authorised agent.
- Overseas documents are not accepted when reverting to a maiden name.