Queensland Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 2009 - SECT 215

215 Child’s name

(1) A final adoption order for a child—

(a) must include an order that the child keep the child’s existing first given name as the child’s first given name; and

(b) may include an order that the child keep the child’s existing surname or have the same surname as an adoptive parent; and

(c) in relation to the child’s other given names—may include an order that the child—

(i) keep an existing given name; or

(ii) have another given name agreed by the child’s adoptive parents as well as an existing given name; or

(iii) have another given name agreed by the child’s adoptive parents instead of an existing given name.

(2) Despite subsection (1) (a) , a final adoption order may include an order that the child have another first given name agreed by the child’s adoptive parents instead of the child’s existing first given name if the court is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances that warrant the making of the order.

Example of exceptional circumstances—

a child’s existing first given name is harmful to their wellbeing because the name may be culturally inappropriate

(3) In making an order under this section, the court must—

(a) make the order that will best promote the child’s wellbeing and best interests; and

(b) have regard to the child’s right to preserve the child’s identity; and

(c) consider whether the child is generally known by, or identifies with, any of the child’s existing names.

(4) This section does not prevent a change of the child’s name under another law after the final adoption order is made.