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Online certificate ordering and online registrations systems unavailable
Due to scheduled maintenance, our online certificate ordering, birth registration system and family history services will be unavailable from 8:00pm to 12:00am, Monday, 28 April 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Search your ancestry for free
Use the Registry tool to start searching
Explore your family story by using the free search of the NSW Registry records.
Once you’ve found the historical records you’re after, you can purchase print or digital copies.
Guide to searching your family history
Find out what you can search, about the results, how to order certificates, further paid ancestry search services and who to contact for support.
Records and certificates
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Early church and district codes
Use our list to match the code on a record with the church or district where the birth, death or marriage occurred.
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Registry records
Find detailed descriptions on the information included on certificates issued before and after 1856, and how we kept records.
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Adoption certificates
How to request searches and certificates for an adopted person and their parents.
Family history search enquiries
If you have a question about our historical records, email us at bdm-research-unit@customerservice.nsw.gov.au
Make sure you include your:
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Brief description of your enquiry.
We’ll respond within 20 business days. This email is for Family History enquiries only.