My wife and I were married eleven years ago in Vanuatu, now we would like to get married again by an Australian marriage celebrant and with an Australian marriage license.
My wife decided that she wants to legally use her married surname but does not want to change her name by deed poll (Name change by RBDM).
Originally we were told that because our marriage was conducted overseas, we would have to get re-married here in order for a name change to be recognised. Then we were told that because we were married overseas we could not be re-married here. This meant deed poll (RBDM)was her only option but she does not want to lose access to her maiden name, which she would via this avenue. My wife is upset because our marriage is legal, yet she does not have the same legal name changing rights as people married here.
So my question becomes - is a married name change (other than by RBDM) possible with an overseas marriage certificate? And even more importantly, under Australian law can we legally get married again here in Australia considering our original marriage was never registered in Australia.
My wife decided that she wants to legally use her married surname but does not want to change her name by deed poll (Name change by RBDM).
Originally we were told that because our marriage was conducted overseas, we would have to get re-married here in order for a name change to be recognised. Then we were told that because we were married overseas we could not be re-married here. This meant deed poll (RBDM)was her only option but she does not want to lose access to her maiden name, which she would via this avenue. My wife is upset because our marriage is legal, yet she does not have the same legal name changing rights as people married here.
So my question becomes - is a married name change (other than by RBDM) possible with an overseas marriage certificate? And even more importantly, under Australian law can we legally get married again here in Australia considering our original marriage was never registered in Australia.