Registering a homebirth
All births are registered according to two sources of information. These are the Birth Registration Statement (BRS) — usually supplied by the parents, and a notification.
A notification may be provided to the Registry by either:
- The hospital in which the birth occurred (or a child and mother taken to within 24 hours of the birth), or
- By a doctor or registered midwife who attended the birth, or
- By independent witnesses who saw the birth occur.
Every birth that occurs in NSW must be confirmed by a notification. For requirements, please see below:
Unplanned homebirth - child in hospital within 24hrs |
- If the birth occured at home or in a location other than a hospital and the child is taken to a hospital within 24 hours of the birth;
- The hospital should notify the Registry of the birth and should provide you with a BRS.
- Complete the BRS and mail to the Registry within 60 days of the birth.
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| Birth with a registered doctor or midwife |
- If the birth occured in a location other than a hospital with a registered doctor or registered midwife in attendance;
- The registered doctor or midwife will advise the Registry of the birth. They will also give you a BRS.
- Complete the BRS and send it to the Registry within 60 days of the birth.
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| Birth without a registered doctor or midwife |
- If the birth occured in a location other than a hospital without a registered doctor or midwife in attendance and the child was NOT taken to a hospital within 24 hours of the birth;
- consider having two independent witnesses present when you give birth (can't be parents of the child).
- Your witnesses must have seen the birth occur and be prepared to sign Statutory Declarations which contain specific statements relating to the birth (must be prepared in the Registry).
- Call the Registry on 1300 655 236 and provide your name and home address, and names and addresses of the two witnesses who saw the birth occur.
- Statutory Declarations will then be prepared and posted to the witnesses. Once returned to the Registry and in order, a BRS will be posted to you.
- Complete the BRS and send it to the Registry within 60 days of the child’s birth.
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