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 giving you permission to apply (PDF, 627.26 KB)
   • 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. 

All prices include postage. 

We do not offer priority processing of certificates when you are registering a new birth or for commemorative certificate designs.  

Processing begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

• Certificates are delivered by registered post.
• The number of working days to process certificates depends on how you apply.
• The processing time does not include delivery which can be up to 6 working days.

Priority processing is not available for our commemorative birth certificate designs.

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:

• printing a birth certificate application form (PDF, 1.04 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.