How to Get a Copy of an Australian Birth Certificate

Australian birth certificates are issued by the Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Mothers are usually the gatekeepers of birth certificates until a child becomes responsible enough to safeguard it on their own. However, many people lose or misplace their birth certificates. While this can cause stress when applying for a passport or enrolling in school, it is easy for Australian residents to obtain a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine if you are eligible to apply for a birth certificate. The registry will only release records to the person listed on the birth certificate, or a parent listed on the certificate.

2. Contact the appropriate registrar for your state or territory. There are eight locations: Australian Capital Territory (ACT,) South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales (NSW,) Queensland, Victorian, Western Australia and Tasmania.

   The contact information and web address for each registry, along with the fees as of 2009, is listed below:

   Australian Capital Territory

   255 Cranberra Avenue

   Fyshwick ACT 2609

   Phone: [phone]

   Fax: [phone]

   Postal address: GPO Box 158

   Canberra City ACT 2601

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

   Fees: $36

   Website: www.ors.act.gov.au

   South Australia

   Chesser House, Level 2

   91-97 Grenfell Street

   Adelaide SA 5000

   Phone: [phone]

   Fax: None

   Postal Address: GPO Box 1351

   Adelaide SA 5001 DX 225

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

   Fees: Standard delivery: $38; Priority: $67.25

   Website: www.ocba.sa.gov.au

   Northern Territory

   Phone: [phone]

   Fax: None listed

   Postal Address: Not found

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

   Fees: Not found

   Website: www.nt.gov.au

   New South Wales

   35 Regent Street

   Chippendale

   Sydney NSW 2008

   Phone: [phone] or [phone] for international applicants

   Fax: [phone] or [phone] for international applicants

   Postal Address: GPO Box 30 Syndey NSW 2001

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

   Fees: Standard: $63; Urgent: $105, $6 for postage

   Website: www.bdm.nsw.gov.au

   Queensland

   110 George Street

   Brisbane QLD 4000

   Phone: [phone] or [phone] for international applicants

   Fax: None listed

   Postal Address: PO Box 15188

   City East QLD 4002

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

   Fees: Standard processing: $33; priority processing: $54; express postage: $4.30; registered mail: $3.20

   Website: www.justice.qld.gov.au

   Victorian

   595 Collins Street, Ground Floor

   Melbourne Victoria

   Phone: [phone] or [phone] for international calls

   Fax: [phone]

   Postal Address: GPO Box 4332

   Melbourne Victoria 3001

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

   Fees: Standard processing: $25.80; Express postage: $4; International express: $11

   Website: online.justice.vic.gov.au

   Western Australia

   141 St Georges Terrace

   Perth WA 6000

   Phone: [phone]

   Fax: [phone]

   Postal Address: PO Box 7720

   Cloisters Square, Perth WA 6850

   Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

   Fees: Standard processing: $42; urgent (24 hours): $75

   Note: Does not accept faxed applications. You may also get an application at a regional courthouse.

   Website: www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au

   Tasmania

   Phone: [phone] or [phone] or [phone]

   Fax: [phone] or [phone]

   Postal Address: GPO Box 198

   Hobart Tas 7001

   Hours of Operation: None found.

   Fees: Standard: $35.84; Express processing: $61.44; express postage: $4 extra

   Email: [e-mail]

   Website: www.justice.tas.gov.au

3. Obtain an application form from the registry office, or download an application online. Photocopy the required proof of identification. (Most registries require three forms of identification.) Proof of identity may include a current Australia driver's license, passport, firearms license, Medicare card, credit card, student identity card, bank statement and a utility bill with home address.

4. Determine if you need standard or urgent processing, and include the required fee. Return your application to the registry--in person, or via mail. Some registries allow you to fax in the form, or complete the application online.

Tips & Warnings

• Registries are not open on holidays and weekends.

• Postal delivery time is not included in processing time. Postage may not be included in the fee.

• There is a cutoff time for urgent or express applications.

• Make a note of the date you applied for tracking purposes.

• Do not mail your original proof of identification documents with your application. This will delay your application.

• Not all services are offered by every regional office.

• All registries have different fees and identification requirements.

• Registries offer different types of certificates. Aside from the standard certificate, there is a commemorative/decorative certificate that only contains name, sex, date and place of birth. Be sure to mark the appropriate box on your application.

Resources

• Australia.gov: List of Registries