Processing times
Find out when your request to Births Deaths & Marriages will be completed.
Birth certificates: newborn babies
If you apply for a birth certificate when you register the birth, the time it takes for us to process it depends on how you apply.
- 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.
- Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.
| Standard birth certificate ordered when birth is registered | Standard service |
|---|---|
| Online application | up to 4 weeks |
| Submitted by post | up to 5 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 5 weeks |
Birth certificates
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 6 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Submitted by post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 7 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Commemorative birth certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | up to 8 weeks | Not available |
| Submitted by post | up to 6 weeks | Not available |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 9 weeks | Not available |
Marriage certificates
Processing of a marriage certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.
- If your celebrant registers your marriage online, this can reduce the processing time.
- 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 marriage certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate for newlyweds (celebrants have 14 days to lodge) | up to 6 weeks | Not available |
| Online application | up to 6 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Submitted by post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 7 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Commemorative marriage certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | up to 8 weeks | Not available |
| Submitted by post | up to 6 weeks | Not available |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 9 weeks | Not available |
Single status certificates
Processing of your single status 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.
| Request for a Single Status certificate | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted by post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 7 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
Family history certificates
Family history certificates are delivered by standard post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
- Times shown are estimated and may vary slightly.
- 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.
| Family history certificate | Standard service |
|---|---|
| Online application: email delivery | up to 2 weeks |
| Online application: postal delivery | up to 2 weeks |
| Submitted by post | up to 6 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 4 weeks |
| Church Register records (Volume records) | up to 3 weeks |
Death certificates
Processing of a death 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.
- When a correction is requested, changes are made to the certificate and to the original registration.
- 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.
| Certificate request | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Death within the last 2 months | up to 2 weeks | Not available |
| Correction to a certificate | up to 10 weeks | Not available |
| Online application | up to 6 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Submitted by post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agent (Service NSW) | up to 7 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
Registered relationship
Processing of your relationship registration begins when we have received your completed 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.
| Application | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship registration certificate (includes 28 day cooling off period): online application (please allow an additional two weeks for delivery of commemorative certificates) | up to 7 weeks | Not available |
| Relationship registration certificate (includes 28 day cooling off period): paper application (please allow an additional two weeks for delivery of commemorative certificates) | up to 9 weeks | Not available |
| Revoke a registered relationship (includes 90 day cooling off period) | up to 13 weeks | Not available |
Change of name
Processing of your change of name registration 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.
| Certificate request | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | up to 8 weeks | up to 4 weeks |
| By post | up to 9 weeks | up to 4 weeks |
| Registry agents (Service NSW) | up to 9 weeks | up to 4 weeks |
Replace certificates after a change of name
Processing of your replacement change of name 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.
| Certificate request | Standard service | Priority service |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | up to 6 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| By post | up to 4 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
| Registry agents (Service NSW) | up to 7 weeks | up to 2 weeks |
Change of sex
Processing a change of sex (PDF 1.01MB) registration or recognised detailscertificate begins when we receive a complete and correct application. The processing time is up to 3 weeks.
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.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.
| Certificate request | Standard service |
|---|---|
| By post | up to 6 weeks |
| Registry agents (Service NSW) | up to 6 weeks |