NSW Registry of Births Deaths Marriages privacy statement

What is privacy  

Privacy is your right to control how your personal information is collected, used, and disclosed.

Information privacy refers to the way governments and organisations manage personal information—such as your name, age, address, and other identifying details.

Personal information is defined under the PPIP Act as any information or opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained. This includes details such as your name, address, date of birth, sex, and other identifying information. 

Protecting your privacy

The Registry complies with the PPIP Act when registering NSW life events.  

The Act sets out legal standards for how NSW public sector agencies must collect, store, use, and disclose your personal information.  

More information can be found in the Privacy Collection Notice. 

Your right to privacy  

Under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act), you have important rights regarding how your personal information is handled:

• Transparency: Know why your personal information is being collected and who it may be shared with
• Choice: Be informed whether providing your information is mandatory or voluntary
• Access and Correction: Access your personal information and request corrections if inaccurate
• Security: Expect secure storage and protection from unauthorised access or disclosure.

Disclosure of information

Information from the Register may be disclosed to external agencies, and other third parties for purposes such as statistical analysis, medical research, community planning and legislative requirements.

Further details are available in the Privacy Collection Notice. 
 

Verifying your identity

Your personal information may be shared with relevant agencies to verify documents submitted with your application. This typically occurs when:

• applying for a certificate
• registering a life event
• seeking personalised advice.

Additionally, when you contact us, or when we contact you, by phone or email, we may collect your personal information to record, investigate, and manage any enquiry received.

With your consent the Registry uses the Document Verification Service (DVS), a secure national system managed by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, to validate identity documents against issuing agencies. Further details are available in the Privacy Collection Notice.

If documents cannot be validated via DVS, copies will be securely retained by the Registry.

To verify your identity, we may need to confirm details with the agency that issued your identity documents.

What to do if I am concerned about my privacy

If you believe your personal information has been misused, you may:  

• submit your request for internal review to the Registry directly or to the DCS Privacy Team by email at privacy@customerservice.nsw.gov.au 
• or by mail to:
  • DCS Privacy Officer
  • 2-24 Rawson Street
  • Sydney NSW 2000

Complaints can be made in writing or verbally (though verbal complaints may need to be formalised in writing). Visit www.ipc.nsw.gov.au for more information.

An internal investigation will determine whether the Registry has met its privacy obligations. The Registry or DCS Privacy Team will consult with the NSW Privacy Commissioner and notify you in writing of the outcome, typically within 60 days. No fees apply.

For more information on privacy, please visit the NSW Information and Privacy Commission website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au.