All babies in NSW must be registered within 60 days of birth.

Under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995, parents must provide the Registry with the full details of the child's birth for it to be registered and for a Birth Certificate to be produced. There is no fee for registering a birth.

We keep a permanent record of the registration so you or your child can obtain a Birth Certificate at any time. Some information may also be used for important medical research and community planning purposes, but is kept strictly confidential and only you or your child, or a legal guardian can purchase a copy of the Birth Certificate.

The hospital will supply you with a Birth Registration Statement.

Please ensure this form is completed accurately and mailed to the Registry within 60 days of the child's birth. A Birth Certificate Application form is included and the usual certificate fee applies.

If any changes to the child's name are requested by the parent/s a "Change of Name" registration and applicable fees will be required.

Please call us on 1300 655 236 if you:

• require assistance to complete the Birth Registration Statement, or
• have not registered your child's birth within 60 days, or
• have misplaced the birth registration form.

Delivery of birth certificate

• Turnaround times (see Registration, Births)

Same Sex Relationships

The "Same Sex Parents Birth Registration Statement" can be given to you at the hospital. The Miscellaneous Act Amendment Act came into effect on 17 September 2008. Subject to the requirements of the Act, both women in a same sex defacto relationship may now be recognised on their child's birth certificate.

Registering a homebirth

All births are registered according to two sources of information

• the Birth Registration Statement (BRS) — usually supplied by the parents, and a notification (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 must be confirmed by a notification
  (see requirements 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 the mother with a BRS.
• The mother must complete the BRS and mail to the Registry within 60 days of the birth.

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 provide the mother with a BRS.
• The mother must complete the BRS and send it to the Registry within 60 days of the birth.

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:

• The mother should consider having two independent witnesses present at the birth (can't be parents of the child).
• The witnesses must have seen the birth occur and complete a Section 44 Notice containing specific questions about the birth (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.
• A Section 44 Notice will be prepared and posted to you, along with a Birth Registration Statement (BRS).
• A Section 44 Notice will be prepared and posted to the witnesses.
• All Section 44 Notices must be completed and returned to the Registry by the dates specified on each Notice.
• Complete the BRS and send it to the Registry within 60 days of the child’s birth.

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