Birth certificates

Your birth certificate is an important document that you can use as part of your proof of identity.

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.

Example of new birth certificates using 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

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 4 categories.

  1. You have written permission to apply and can provide us with:
  • a letter of authority (PDF 217.4KB) giving you permission to apply
  • proof of identity for the person named on the certificate or one of their parents (at least 3 documents) and
  • proof of your own identity (at least 3 documents).
  1. You have a written power of attorney given by the person on the birth certificate.
  2. You can provide a document showing you are a legally appointed guardian of the person on the birth certificate.
  3. 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.
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. 

Category

Documents

1

​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

2

  • ​Australia's driver's licence
  • Australian passport
  • Firearms licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Proof of age card

3

  • ​Medicare card
  • Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
  • Security/Crowd control licence
  • Tertiary education institution ID card

4

  • ​Recent utility account with current residential address (issued within last 3 months)
Fees

Certificate request

Standard
service

Priority
service

Standard birth certificate

$65

$96

Standard birth and Commemorative certificate

$95

$126

Commemorative certificate only

$44

Not available

Fee to send a copy of a birth certificate to a Passport Office $48.

All prices include postage & handling. Add $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.
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

 

Standard birth certificate

Standard service

Priority service

Online application

up to 2 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 4 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.
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