When a person dies without a will you can ask us to search our records to see if they have been recorded as a parent to any children. This is known as a section 50 search.
This search of our records can help decide who is entitled to the money, property, possessions and any debts of the person who has died (the estate).
What we can search
We search NSW birth register and check the names of people registered as parents to see if they match the information you provide. The search includes:
women who have died, aged 12 to 60 and
men who have died, aged 12 and above.
If the person who has died was born in another country, we only search our records for the time they spent as a resident of NSW.
You can apply for a section 50 search if you are an executor, administrator or trustee of the estate of a deceased person.
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, contact us for further advice.
Category
Identification 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
Period of Search
Standard service
Priority service
1 to 10 years
$59
$87
11 to 20 years
$104
$132
21 to 30 years
$149
$177
31 to 40 years
$194
$222
41 to 50 years
$239
$267
51 to 60 years
$284
$312
61 to 70 years
$329
$357
71 to 80 years
$374
$402
81 to 90 years
$419
$447
All prices include postage & handling. Add $9 for international post.
Processing times
Processing 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.
Certificate request
Standard
Priority
Submitted by post
up to 7 weeks
up to 5 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)
up to 4 weeks
up to 2 weeks
How to apply
Download and post your completed form (see form for address) and proof of identity to Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages or visit your nearest Service NSW centre.
If you are a solicitor applying for a section 50 search on behalf of a client you must provide:
a letter on company letterhead stating:
the name of your client and the nature of your representation
the reason for the search, such as probate or estate administration
the link between your client and the person whose name appears on the application form and
for estate matters, the relevant provisions of the Succession Act 2006 relating to eligibility.
If you are not a legal practitioner but are the administrator or trustee of the estate, you must provide at least 3 forms of identification as per the requirements for proof of identity.