Relationship register

Adults who are in a relationship as a couple can apply for registration of their relationship provided at least one of them lives in NSW.

A couple does not have to live together to be eligible to register their relationship.

To apply to register your relationship in NSW both partners must be:

• over 18 years of age
• not married to each other or anyone else
• not already in a registered relationship under this Act or in another state or territory in Australia
• not in a relationship with another person
• not related by family

There are three ways you can apply:

Apply online

The quickest and easiest way to apply is via our online form.

Apply by post or in-person

• download, print and complete an Application to register a relationship form (PDF 726.16KB)
• gather your required identification documents to submit with your application (note: never send original documents)
• submit your completed application in-person at your nearest Service NSW Centre, or by post to: 
  Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
  GPO Box 30 
  Sydney NSW 2001
• after reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.

Commemorative certificate designs can be ordered at the same time as ordering a standard relationship certificate.

You must provide 3 forms of identification, one of each from Categories 1, 2 and 3.

• If you cannot provide proof of identity from Category 1, you must still provide at least 3 forms of identification. At least one of these must be from Category 2, and two from Category 3.
• If you cannot meet these requirements, please contact us for further advice.

Celebrate the registration of your relationship with a ceremony at the Pyrmont Registry. This is a short, non-legal service with a celebrant and includes a ceremonial certificate on the day (it does not include an official or commemorative certificate).  

Available Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm, for up to 30 guests.

Additional information

• Couples are only eligible for a ceremony once they have been notified that their registration has been finalised
• Please provide two weeks’ notice for a ceremony booking request
• If you do not speak and understand English you will need to bring an interpreter with you on the day
• Relationship ceremonies incur a fee.

How to book

To request a ceremony booking or to find out more, please email bdm-marriages-syd@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.  Include the full names of both partners, your relationship registration number, best contact details, and three preferred times and dates for a ceremony.

There is no fee for withdrawing:

• a relationship registration, within the 28-day cooling-off period
• a relationship revocation, within the 90-day cooling-off period.

The fee for the application to register a relationship is non-refundable. 

Withdraw an application to revoke a registered relationship. (PDF 471.92KB)

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.

• A fee applies to revoke a registered relationship. Either or both persons can apply.
• If only one person revokes a registration, they must provide proof they've served notice on the other. The Registrar has the discretion to dispense the notice requirement if the person cannot serve notice.
• A cooling-off period of 90 days applies before the registration is revoked by the Registrar.
• If either person requires a copy of the relationship certificate showing the revocation details, a standard certificate fee applies.

To apply to revoke a registered relationship:

• download and complete a Revoke a registered relationship application
• gather your required identification documents to submit with your application (note: never send original documents)
• submit your completed application either in-person at your nearest Service NSW Centre, or by post to:
  Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
  GPO Box 30
  Sydney NSW 2001
• after reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.

Registrations revoked by law and void registrations

Registration of a relationship may also be revoked by law on the death or marriage of a person in the relationship.

A registration is considered void if:

• the agreement of one or both persons in the relationship was obtained by fraud, duress or other improper means
• the relationship was registered when either person was mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of registration
• the relationship was prohibited (i.e. one of the persons was married).

To order a replacement relationship or commemorative certificate for a registered relationship:

• download the Relationship replacement certificate application form
• gather your required identification documents to submit with your application (note: never send original documents)
• submit your completed application either in-person at your nearest Service NSW centre, or by post to:
  Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
  GPO Box 30
  Sydney NSW 2001
• after reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.