Birth certificates

Your birth certificate is an important document that you can use as part of your proof of identity.

Flood disaster relief - Birth, Marriage, Change of Name certificates

Birth, Marriage or Change of Name certificates that have been destroyed due to a natural disaster can be reissued at no charge at your nearest Service NSW centre or call 13 77 88 for more information.

Service NSW can also help you to replace certificates registered in other Australian states and territories or in New Zealand.  

On this page

New certificate paper

From 2 August 2021, all of our certificates will be printed on new security paper.

You don’t need to purchase a new certificate unless your details on it have changed.

This is an Australia wide initiative.

You can contact us if you’d like more information.

Picture:  Example of a birth certificate using the new security paper.

Example of new birth certificates using new security paper

Order a standard birth certificate

You can only order a birth certificate from us if the birth or adoption was registered in NSW.

You can order a birth certificate online at the same time as you register your baby.

If you need a birth certificate as part of a family research project, find out more about family history research.

Important: Do not laminate your certificates. Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by Government agencies.

Order a birth certificate

Order a commemorative certificate

For something more special, you can choose from our range of designs and purchase a commemorative certificate to frame as a gift or keep for yourself. 

See birth certificate designs

About the process

Who can apply

If the birth or adoption was registered in NSW you can apply  for a copy of:

  • your own birth certificate
  • your child's birth certificate.

You can also apply for the birth certificate of another person if you fall into one of these 4 categories.

  1. You have written permission to apply and can provide us with:
  • a letter of authority (PDF 627.26KB) giving you permission to apply
  • proof of identity for the person named on the certificate or one of their parents (at least 3 documents) and
  • proof of your own identity (at least 3 documents).
  1. You have a written power of attorney given by the person on the birth certificate.
  2. You can provide a document showing you are a legally appointed guardian of the person on the birth certificate.
  3. You're a solicitor acting for the person named on the certificate or you require the certificate for a legal purpose and can meet the requirements for solicitors applying for certificates.
Proof of identity

You must provide a least 3 forms of current identity, one of each from Categories 1, 2 and 3.

  • If you cannot provide proof of identity from Categories 1 and 2, you must still provide at least 3 forms of identity. At least two of these must be from Category 3.
  • If cannot meet these requirements, please contact us for further advice. 

Category

Documents

1

​If born in Australia:

  • An Australian birth certificate

Record of immigration status:

  • Citizenship certificate
  • New Zealand citizenship certificate together with passport
  • New Zealand birth certificate

2

  • ​Australia's driver's licence
  • Australian passport
  • Firearms licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Proof of age card

3

  • ​Medicare card
  • Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
  • Security/Crowd control licence
  • Tertiary education institution ID card

4

  • ​Recent utility account with current residential address (issued within last 3 months)
Fees

Certificate request

Standard
service

Priority
service

Standard birth certificate

$60

$88

Standard birth and Commemorative certificate

$87

$115

Commemorative certificate only

$41

Not available

Fee to send a copy of a birth certificate to a Passport Office $44.

All prices include postage & handling. Add $9 for international post.

We do not offer priority service for certificates when you are registering a new birth.

How to apply

If you're eligible to apply and the person has been registered in NSW, to apply for a birth certificate you must provide: 

  • details of the person's birth
  • personal and contact information 
  • proof of identity documents that have been saved to your phone or computer
  • additional documents that apply to for solicitors applying for certificates (if applicable)
  • documents showing your permission to apply for the birth certificate (if applicable)
  • a debit or credit card to pay for the certificate.

You can also apply for a birth certificate by:

  • Applying online.  Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to obtain your certificate.  If you have selected a ‘collect’ option please await a confirmation email, sent to you within one working day of your application, before coming to the office to collect the certificate.
  • printing a birth certificate application form (PDF 2.15MB) and sending the completed form to us by post
  • in person at a Service NSW Centre.
Errors on the birth certificate

If there are errors on the certificate you must:

  • return the original certificate to us by post
  • provide 3 proof of identity documents  and
  • send us the correct information on the correct an entry form.

Processing times

Processing of a birth certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

  • Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
  • Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post. 

 

Standard birth certificate

Standard service

Priority service

Online application

up to 3 weeks

up to 1 week

Submitted by post

up to 3 weeks

up to 1 week

Registry agent (Service NSW)

up to 4 weeks

up to 1 week

 

Commemorative birth certificate

Standard service

Priority service

Online application

up to 4 weeks

Not available

Submitted by post

up to 8 weeks

Not available

Registry agent (Service NSW)

up to 5 weeks

Not available

What's on the certificate

A birth certificate is an official copy of the information given to us to register the birth such as:

  • name, sex, date and place of birth
  • information about the parents
  • information about any brothers or sisters and
  • date of registration and registration number.

Related information

Parenting
Birth certificate designs
Celebrate a special occasion with our range of birth certificate designs.
Life events
Having a baby
Our step-by-step guide can help you manage your finances, understand your responsibilities and find support services.
Births
Popular baby names
Top baby names for NSW babies
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