Fee Waiver Policy

People who are experiencing financial hardship and are vulnerable in one of the following ways may be eligible for a certificate fee waiver: 

• a person who is currently a victim of and/or directly impacted by domestic violence
• a person who is sleeping rough or homeless
• a child under 18 years of age who is currently living in poverty or experiencing significant disadvantage  
• a person suffering from a long-term chronic debilitating illness
• a person who has experienced a personal disaster, e.g., house fire resulting in destruction of all personal property, within six months of the event occurring
• a person who is incarcerated or being released from a correctional facility.

Members of the Stolen Generations are also eligible for free certificates.  

These circumstances are not exhaustive, and additional factors may be taken into account.  

The Registry provides free birth certificates to a number of Government and community organisations for their customers at their discretion. 

The circumstances for granting a fee waiver may include but are not limited to the following:

1.1. Inconsistent names on identity products

A fee waiver for a change of name may be granted where a vulnerable person has difficulties resolving variations and inconsistencies between their birth certificate and other identity products e.g., the name on their birth certificate does not match the name on their bank card. 

For example, where discrepancies have arisen due to:

• use of a preferred name on identity products prior to digital systems
• out of home care including foster care or in the care of the Minister
• incarceration in Youth Justice or adult correctional facilities
• homelessness
• administrative errors on immigration documentation.   

Legal Aid NSW, a state or territory equivalent or other community-based organisations who assists vulnerable people may apply on behalf of one of their clients.

1.2. Members of the Stolen Generations

Members of the Stolen Generations who have been adversely affected by former government policies, are eligible for a fees waiver on certificate applications.

Fees will be waived for death certificates required for an application to the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.  

1.3. Forced adoptions

If a person has been adversely affected by former forced adoption policies, a fee waiver may be granted. 

1.4. Conflict and natural disaster

Fee waivers will be considered for replacement certificates where documents have been destroyed because of acts of terrorism, war or within six months of a declared natural disaster in NSW.

1.5. Service breakdown

A fee waiver may be granted where there is evidence that a person has been adversely affected by a Registry error. 

1.6. Retrospective applications for integrated birth certificates 

An integrated birth certificate (IBC) includes a person’s pre-adoption and post-adoption information on one certificate that can be used for legal purposes. 

A person applying for an IBC retrospectively (i.e. for an adoption that occurred prior to 16 November 2020) will not be charged an additional fee if they have already obtained a post-adoption birth certificate.

The applicant will only be charged the cost for one certificate and the fee for the second certificate will be waived. 

1.7. Court orders a proposed name for a child 

If any court orders a change of name for a child, the registration and certificate fee will be waived. 

1.8. Issue of a certificate to enable the disposal of human remains 

Where a deceased body has been donated for research, fees for the issue of a certificate to enable the disposal of human remains will be waived.

People can apply for a fee waiver in line with this policy at a Service NSW Service Centre or request a fee waiver in writing to the Registry at:

GPO Box 30, Sydney 2001

A letter from a community service provider is generally required in support of an application.

If a request is declined, the customer will be provided with the reason for the decision. 

For further information on how the Registry manages personal information, please visit our Privacy collection notice.