Birth certificates
Your birth certificate is an important document that you can use as part of your proof of identity.
Order a standard birth certificate
You can only order a birth certificate from us if the birth or adoption was registered in NSW.
You can order a birth certificate online at the same time as you register your baby.
If you need a birth certificate as part of a family research project, find out more about family history research.
Important: Do not laminate your certificates. Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by Government agencies.
As of 2021, all certificates are printed on new security paper.
Order a commemorative certificate
For something more special, you can choose from our range of designs and purchase a commemorative certificate to frame as a gift or keep for yourself.
About the process
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 5 categories.
You have written permission to apply and can provide us with:
a) letter of authority (PDF 217.4KB) giving you permission to apply
b) proof of identity for the person named on the certificate or one of
their parents (at least 3 documents), and
c) proof of your own identity (at least 3 documents).- You have a written power of attorney given by the person on the birth certificate.
- You can provide a document showing you are a legally appointed guardian of the person on the birth certificate.
- 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 were born in Australia after 20 August, 1986 and one parent’s birth is registered in NSW, and you are applying for their birth certificate to apply for an Australian passport.
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.
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | If born in Australia:
Record of immigration status:
|
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 4 |
|
If you're eligible to apply and the person has been registered in NSW, you must provide the following with your application:
- 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 submit an application for a birth certificate in the following ways:
- Apply online
Applying via our online form 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. - Apply via post or in person
Download the birth certificate application form and submit your completed form and the required identification documents (note: never send original documents) 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.
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.
Fees and processing times
| Standard birth certificate | Standard service $67 | Priority service $99 |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Up to 4 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| Postal application | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Via Service NSW | Up to 5 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| Fee to send a certificate to a passport office | $48 |
| Official birth certificate and commemorative certificate* package | Standard service $97 | Priority service $129 |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Postal application | Up to 7 weeks | Up to 6 weeks |
| Via Service NSW | Up to 6 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Commemorative birth certificate* only | Standard service $44 | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Up to 6 weeks | Not available |
| Postal application | Up to 7 weeks | Not available |
| Via Service NSW | Up to 6 weeks | Not available |
*Commemorative certificates are sent separately from a standard certificate.
What's on the certificate
A birth certificate is an official copy of the information given to us to register the birth such as:
- name, sex, date and place of birth
- information about the parents
- information about any brothers or sisters and
- date of registration and registration number.