Birth certificates
Your birth certificate is an important document that you can use as part of your proof of identity.
Registry offices closed - expect delays
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, we have closed our Registry offices and there will be a delay in our regular processing times. If you need a certificate urgently, use our online services and select ‘priority’.
We’re working hard to support our customers during this challenging time and thank you for your patience.
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.
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 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.
About the process
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.
- You have written permission to apply and can provide us with:
- a letter of authority (PDF, 627.26 KB) 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).
- You have a written power of attorney given by the person on the birth certificate.
- You can provide a document showing you are a legally appointed guardian of the person on the birth certificate.
- 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.
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:
Record of immigration status:
|
|
2 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
Certificate request |
Standard |
Priority |
|
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.
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, 2.15 MB) and sending the completed form to us by post
- in person at a Service NSW service centre.
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 and we have allowed a week for this in the times below. Estimated times may vary slightly.
- When you apply online you can Click & Collect urgent certificates from our Registry offices in Chippendale and Parramatta.
- Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
|
Standard birth certificate |
Standard service |
Priority service |
|
Online application |
up to 7 weeks |
up to 3 weeks |
|
Submitted by post |
up to 10 weeks |
up to 7 weeks |
|
Registry agent (Service NSW) |
up to 8 weeks |
up to 4 weeks |
|
Commemorative birth certificate |
Standard service |
Priority service |
|
Online application |
up to 8 weeks |
Not available |
|
Submitted by post |
up to 8 weeks |
Not available |
|
Registry agent (Service NSW) |
up to 8 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.