How difficult is it to change non-traditional surnames post marriage?

Lester Kiewit speaks to Brett Rogers, Culture Lead at HaveYouHeard Marketing.  

Rogers says there's an increasing trend amongst couples getting married who are choosing to merge their surnames into hyphenated versions, some husbands choose to take their wives' surnames and vice-versa while others choose not to take their spouses surname at all.

But having non-traditional surnames recognised officially on government documents after getting married is not easy.

"I think marriage is such a deeply traditional institution that had its norms set around many years so it's difficult to change... that idea of ownership by one's surname is antiquated so it's lovely to see these changes coming to the fore". 

- Brett Rogers, Culture Lead - HaveYouMarketing

Rogers argues that government structures don't seem to be prepared for options outside the norm as he reflects on a colleague's 'dehumanising' experience with Home Affairs. 

Rogers says his colleague got married and both parties decided not to change their surnames. 

However, upon collection of her passport from Home Affairs, the department automatically and officially updated her surname to her husband's on all her documentation without alerting her. 

When Rogers' colleague asked why the department made this change without her permission and requested that her surname be changed back, an employee at home affairs told her that her 'surname no longer exists'. 

"I think from a philosophical point of view, to go somewhere and say 'your name doesn't exist anymore', is dehumanising. We know how important names and surnames are, especially in our country".

- Brett Rogers, Culture Lead - HaveYouMarketing

Whether you choose to take your husband's surname, your wife's or double-barrel both surnames - non-traditional options should be considered for official documents, concludes Rogers. 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.