Family history search

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, we have closed our Registry offices and there will be a significant delay in our regular processing times.

We’re working hard to support our customers during this challenging time and thank you for your patience. We hope to reopen Friday 30 July.

Start searching your ancestry

Use our free online search of births, deaths and marriages certificates dating back to 1788 to trace and build your family tree.

Use our list to match the two-letter code on an early church record with the church where the birth, marriage or death was recorded.

Find out what you can search, what the search results mean, how to order certificates and where to get help.

You can search our records of births, marriages and deaths in NSW for free. Here you'll find some tips to help you successfully complete your search.

How to request searches and certificates for an adopted person and their parents.

Find detailed descriptions on the information included on certificates issued before and after 1856, and how we kept records.