NSW Australians ONLY pls!!! Can an unmarried couple give their baby the father's last name in NSW Australia!?

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a question for people who live in NSW Australia!

Me & my partner are not married and are expecting our first child in February 2009,

I want to give our baby HIS last name and not mine, can we do this even though we are not married!?

I am unsure of the naming laws in NSW Australia so any help would be great!!!

It would also be great to here from some couples who are unmarried and have also given their baby the fathers last name... rather then have people from USA or etc answer... cause naming laws are different everywhere so AUSSIES only PLEASE!

Thanks in Advance...

Answer 1

Yes you can. You can give your baby any name you like. Putting the father's name on the birth certificate, you will both have to sign it. I gave my children their father's name and we are not married. Check out the Births, Deaths and Marriages page on the government website.

Answer 2

not Australian, but read anyways please.

If you have  a question regarding the legality of naming your child in your part of the world, call the government office that handles those functions. Or check with the hospital, they deal with this particular issue probably daily. But getting the answer online from other people and then relying on that answer for something this important seems a bit irresponsible.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend if I did, but that is how I feel.

Answer 3

Hi,yes you can give the baby either surname or a combo of both.Also any first name as long as its not offensive,inappropriate etc.I did this with my kids,gave them their dads last name and we were not married.A website you might want to look at is the births,deaths and marriages (NSW section) for all the legal ins and outs,but definately ok to give your baby dads last name.Congrats to you both,all the best  

Answer 4

You should post in the Aussie section then to have a better chance of reaching the right people. Click the Australian flag at the bottom. I'm pretty sure you're logged onto the wrong section. Apologies if I'm wrong.