Birth certificates

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, 627.26 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).

2. You have a written power of attorney given by the person on the birth certificate.
3. You can provide a document showing you are a legally appointed guardian of the person on the birth certificate.
4. 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. 

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.

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.
• 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. 

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.