A Standard Birth Certificate is an official certified copy of the registration data held by the Registry, and is commonly used to help establish a person's identity.

NSW Birth Certificates

All Birth Certificates issued by this Registry are for births or adoptions that occurred in NSW. For births registered in other parts of Australia, please contact the Registry Office in that state or territory.

Applications must be accompanied by Proof of Identification to ensure your privacy is maintained and information is only released to those entitled. Exceptions are Family History Certificates which are for a birth from over 100 years ago — these are available to anyone, and have no identification requirements.

Who Can Apply

If you are the person named on the certificate or a parent of the person, please provide:

• at least three (3) forms of your identification with your application.

If you are not the person named on the certificate or their parent, you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

1. Provide written authority and identification from the person named on the certificate or one of their parents, plus your own identification.
2. Show Power of Attorney relating to the person named on the certificate or one of their parents.
3. Be a solicitor/welfare group acting for the person named on the certificate.
4. Be a legally appointed guardian of the person named on the certificate.

Solicitors Applying for a Certificate

Where solicitors apply for certificates on behalf of clients, they must provide:

1. a letter on company letterhead stating the reason required ("legal" is not sufficient; a specific reason is needed i.e. Probate, Estate Administration, etc), together with the name of the client for whom the solicitor is acting.
2. The letter must be accompanied by:
   - a completed application form, and
   - a certified* copy of your Law Society ID Card or Practising Certificate.
3. Solicitor's name must be written in the Applicant's Details section. Payment must be made with a company or trust cheque, or company credit card.

* Photocopies must be certified as true copies of the original by a Qualified Witness (e.g. Justice of the Peace; Notary Public; Legal Practitioner with current Practising Certificate; person authorised to administer an Oath under S.26 of the Oaths Act 1900).

Back to Top