
In Australia, a birth certificate is necessary to prove one's identity for activities such as obtaining a passport or claiming government benefits. It is also commonly used to research family histories. To apply for a birth certificate, one must first register the birth of their child. This is a requirement by the Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registries in all states and territories. The hospital will provide a birth registration form, and there is no cost for registering the birth of a newborn. After registering, one can apply for a birth certificate. The application process and requirements may vary depending on the state or territory. It is important to note that a birth certificate can only be issued if the birth was registered in the respective state or territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Anyone born in South Australia can apply for their birth certificate. Anyone can access a historical birth certificate (more than 100 years old). Certain people can apply for a copy of someone else's certificate. |
| Requirements | You must register the birth of your baby within 60 days. It's free to register, but you need to pay to get a birth certificate. You will need to provide basic information about the person, such as their name and date of birth. |
| Processing time | Processing times vary depending on the date of the certificate. You can fast-track your application by paying a priority fee of $47.00. |
| Fees | The search fee for a 'no record' certificate is $67.50 for each ten-year period. |
| Formats | Legal certificate, commemorative certificate, letter of verification, information-only certificate. |
| Digitisation | Since 2009, the WA government has been digitising certificates for births registered before 1974. |
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What You'll Learn

Register the birth of your baby
Registering the birth of your baby is a crucial step in ensuring they have a birth certificate, which will be necessary for various legal processes throughout their life. Here is a step-by-step guide to registering your baby's birth in Australia:
Step 1: Understand the Requirement
It is a requirement to register your baby's birth within 60 days of their arrival, according to Births, Deaths and Marriages Registries in all states and territories. This process is free of charge and can be initiated by obtaining a birth registration form from the hospital.
Step 2: Obtain the Birth Registration Form
The hospital where your baby is born will provide you with a birth registration form. This form is necessary to begin the registration process and should be completed and signed by the relevant parties.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Form
Fill out the birth registration form with the required information. This typically includes basic information about the child and the parents. Once completed, submit the form to the relevant Births, Deaths, and Marriages registry in your state or territory.
Step 4: Purchase a Birth Certificate (Optional)
While registering the birth is free, you will need to pay to obtain a birth certificate for your child. This can usually be done through the same registry, and there may be options for expedited processing for an additional fee.
Step 5: Understand Special Circumstances
If your baby was born in the ACT at specific hospitals, you may be able to register through the myGov Newborn Enrolment Trial. Additionally, if your baby was stillborn, you do not need to register their birth to claim a payment, but you must still register with the births, deaths, and marriages registry in your state or territory.
Step 6: Contact the Registry
If you have any questions or concerns about the process, don't hesitate to contact your local Births, Deaths, and Marriages registry for assistance. They are there to help and can provide additional information or guidance if needed.
By following these steps, you can ensure your baby's birth is officially registered, and you can obtain their birth certificate, which will be necessary for various legal and identification purposes as they grow up.
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Apply for a birth certificate
To apply for a birth certificate in Australia, you must first register the birth of your baby. This is a requirement by the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry in your state or territory. The hospital will provide you with a birth registration form, and there is no cost for registering the birth of your newborn. Once the birth is registered, you can apply for a birth certificate. This can be done through the Consumer and Business Services, or CBS, depending on your state.
You will need to provide basic information about the person whose birth certificate you are applying for, and you may need to prove your identity. The time it takes to process your application will depend on the date of the certificate, and you may be able to fast-track your application by paying a priority fee.
If the birth was outside of your state, you will need to contact the registry of that state, territory, or country. Only certain people can apply for a copy of someone else's certificate, and you will need to supply information about the person and prove your identity.
In Western Australia, birth certificates registered before 1974 are being digitised and will look different from paper-based certificates.
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Provide basic information about the person
When applying for a birth certificate in Australia, you will need to provide detailed and accurate information about the person the certificate is for. This includes personal details such as the person's full name, including any middle names, and their date of birth. It is important to ensure that the spelling of the name is correct and matches any other official identification the person may have. If the person has previously changed their name, you may need to provide evidence of this, such as a marriage certificate or change of name certificate.
In addition to the person's name and date of birth, you will also need to provide information about their place of birth. This includes the country, state or territory, and the city or town where they were born. If the person was born in a hospital or birth centre, you may also need to provide the name of the facility. If the birth took place at home, you will need to provide the residential address.
For children born to Australian citizens overseas, the process may vary depending on the country of birth. In some cases, the birth may still be registered with the Australian embassy or consulate in that country, and a birth certificate can be issued by the overseas authority. However, this may not always be recognised as a valid form of identification in Australia, and a separate process may be required to obtain an Australian birth certificate.
When applying for a birth certificate, you may also be asked to provide information about the person's parents, including their full names, dates of birth, and places of birth. If the parents were married at the time of the birth, you may also need to provide their marriage certificate. If the parents are not Australian citizens or do not have permanent residency themselves, you may need to provide additional documentation to confirm their immigration status.
It is important to note that the specific requirements for obtaining a birth certificate may vary slightly between different states and territories in Australia. As such, it is advisable to check with the relevant authority to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Pay for the certificate
Registering the birth of your baby is a requirement by the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry in your Australian state or territory. While there is no cost for registering the birth of your newborn, you must pay to get a birth certificate. If your baby was born in the ACT at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, or the North Canberra Hospital, you may be able to register the birth of your baby through myGov under the Newborn Enrolment Trial. For all other places, find out how to obtain a birth certificate on your state or territory government website.
A birth certificate can only be issued if the birth was registered in South Australia. If the birth was outside of South Australia, contact the registry of that state, territory, or country. You must register the birth of your child before applying for a birth certificate. Commemorative certificates are also available. Anyone born in South Australia can apply for their own birth certificate. Anyone can access a historical birth certificate (more than 100 years old). Certain people can apply for a copy of someone else's certificate. You'll need to supply some information about the person whose certificate you want and prove your identity.
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDM) can provide information relating to births in the following formats: Legal certificate (can be used for all legal purposes, including proof of identity); Commemorative certificate (cannot be used as proof of identity); Letter of verification (cannot be used as proof of identity); Information-only certificate (cannot be used as proof of identity).
Make cheques payable to Births, Deaths and Marriages. Occasionally, the CBS can't find a record to match an application. If this happens, a 'no record' certificate is issued, and a search fee of $67.50 for each ten-year period is charged. Processing times can vary depending on the date of the certificate. Check estimated processing times on the CBS website to work out how long it will take to get your certificate. You can fast-track your application by paying a priority fee of $47. Priority service processing times for online, posted, or regional Service SA applications are processed within 1 business day. Processing time doesn't include delivery by Australia Post.
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Receive the certificate
To receive a birth certificate in Australia, you must first register the birth of your baby. This is a requirement by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in your state or territory. The hospital will provide you with a birth registration form, and there is no cost for registering the birth of your newborn. However, you will need to pay to obtain the birth certificate. It is important to note that the birth certificate can only be issued if the birth was registered in the same state where you are applying for the certificate.
The application process for a birth certificate may vary depending on the state or territory in Australia. For example, in South Australia, you can apply for a birth certificate through the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) website. They offer standard and priority processing options, with the priority service costing an additional $47.00 fee.
In Victoria, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) can provide birth certificates in various formats, including legal certificates, commemorative certificates, letters of verification, and information-only certificates.
When applying for a birth certificate, you will typically need to provide basic information about the person, such as their name, date of birth, and place of birth. In some cases, you may also need to prove your identity and your relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting.
It is worth noting that processing times for birth certificate applications can vary, especially for older certificates. In some cases, you may need to provide additional information or pay additional fees for expedited processing. Additionally, if CBS or the relevant authority cannot find a record to match your application, they may issue a 'no record' certificate and charge a search fee for each ten-year period searched.
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Frequently asked questions
You must register the birth of your baby within 60 days of their birth. This is a requirement by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in your state or territory. The hospital will give you a birth registration form, and there is no cost for registering the birth. Once you have registered the birth, you may want to purchase a birth certificate for your baby.
You can apply for a birth certificate from Consumer and Business Services. You will need to provide basic information about yourself, such as your name and date of birth, and prove your identity.
If CBS can't find a record to match an application, a 'no record' certificate is issued and a search fee of $67.50 for each ten-year period is charged. Processing times can vary depending on the date of the certificate.











































