Birth certificates
Your birth certificate is an important document that you can use as part of your proof of identity.
On this page
New certificate paper
From 2 August 2021, all of our certificates will be printed on new security paper.
You don’t need to purchase a new certificate unless your details on it have changed.
This is an Australia wide initiative.
You can contact us if you’d like more information.
Picture: Example of a birth certificate using the new security paper.
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.
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
Expand all Collapse all
Who can apply
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 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.
Proof of identity
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.
If born in Australia:
- An Australian birth certificate
Record of immigration status:
- Citizenship certificate
- New Zealand citizenship certificate together with passport
- New Zealand birth certificate
- Australia's driver's licence
- Australian passport
- Firearms licence
- Foreign passport
- Proof of age card
- Medicare card
- Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
- Security/Crowd control licence
- Tertiary education institution ID card
- Recent utility account with current residential address (issued within last 3 months)
| Certificate request | Standard
service | Priority
service |
|---|
| Standard birth certificate | $67 | $99 |
| Standard birth and Commemorative certificate | $97 | $129 |
| Commemorative certificate only | $44 | Not available |
Fee to send a copy of a birth certificate to a Passport Office is $48.
All prices include $11 postage and handling. Add a further $9 for international post.
We do not offer priority service for certificates when you are registering a new birth.
How to apply
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:
- Applying online. Applying online 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.
- printing a birth certificate application form (PDF 668.37KB) and sending the completed form to us by post
- in person at a Service NSW Centre. This is not a same day service.
Errors on the birth certificate
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.
Processing times
Processing of a birth certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.
- Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
- Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
- Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.
| Standard birth certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|
| Online application | up to 3 weeks | up to 1 week |
| Submitted by post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 3 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Commemorative birth certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|
| Online application | up to 5 weeks | Not available |
| Submitted by post | up to 6 weeks | Not available |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 5 weeks | Not available |
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.
Related information
- Family and relationships
- Commemorative birth certificates
- Having a baby
- NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
