Apply for a NSW birth certificate

Unauthorised third-party websites

Be cautious of third-party websites offering to process birth, death, marriage or relationship certificate applications to the Registry on behalf of customers.

These services are not affiliated with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages and may charge additional fees. Please ensure any person making an application on your behalf completes the letter of authority.

Always use the official NSW Government website for applications.

If you have already provided information to a suspicious website, you can contact ID Support NSW Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (Sydney time) for advice and assistance.

What is a birth certificate?

A birth certificate is an essential document that helps prove identity, age, place of birth and family relationships. A birth certificate helps you to:

enrol in childcare and school
access health services like Medicare
open a bank account
enrol to vote
apply for a driver licence or a passport
receive government benefits like parental leave.

Did you know?

You can only order a birth certificate once a birth is registered.

If you haven’t registered your child’s birth yet, you can complete the birth registration online and order a birth certificate at the same time.

What's on the certificate?

Birth certificates are printed on security paper. They include the person’s:

name
sex
date and place of birth
information about the parents
names and ages of older siblings, and
date of birth registration and registration number.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a new or replacement NSW birth certificate if the birth or adoption was registered in NSW and the birth certificate is for either:

yourself, or
a child in your care (and they are under 18).

If you are applying for someone else, you need to demonstrate your eligibility or permission to apply on their behalf. Requirements for these applications are outlined in the next section.

Searching your ancestry?

Learn how to find birth certificates and other NSW records with a free Registry index search.

What you need

All birth certificate applications (including applications to replace a birth certificate) must include:

the birth registration details for the person on the certificate (name, date and place of birth, and their parents’ details)
your proof of identity documents
your contact details including an email address and phone number
payment for the application.

Note: Guardians, legal practitioners, government casework practitioners and other third-parties need to provide additional documents with their application. Select the dropdowns below to learn what you need to provide.

Guardians applying on behalf of a child

In addition to the requirements above, you also need to provide a copy of the guardianship order showing you as a legally appointment guardian or that you have parental responsibility for the child.

Legal practitioners applying on behalf of a client

In addition to the requirements above, legal practitioners applying on behalf of a client must also provide:

a current copy of their Law Society ID card or practising certificate, and
a letter on company letterhead which states:
- the name of the client and nature of their representation
- the reason for the request, and
- the link between the client represented and the person whose name appears on the certificate (if they are different).

Australian legal practitioners do not need to provide other proof of identity documents for themselves.

Government casework practitioners applying on behalf of a child in the care of the Minister

As well as the requirements above, casework practitioners from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) must provide additional information.

Government casework practitioners do not need to provide other proof of identity documents with their application.

Adult child applying for a parent’s birth certificate to get an Australian passport or Australian citizenship

If you were born in Australia after 20 August 1986, you can apply for a copy of your parent’s NSW birth certificate to help you apply for an Australian passport or Australian citizenship.

If your parents are alive, you need to apply with a letter of authority signed by your parent(s).

If you cannot provide a letter of authority, the Registry will review your application and supporting evidence and decide if the certificate can be sent directly to the relevant Australian passport or citizenship authority. This is to protect the privacy of your parent(s) and ensure the certificate is only used for the passport or citizenship requirement.

Others acting on behalf of someone else

If you are an individual acting on behalf of someone else, you must prove that you’re authorised to do so by providing:

a letter of authority giving you permission to apply, or written power of attorney for the person named on the certificate
proof of identity for the person named on the certificate, and
proof of identity for yourself.

If you work for a third-party organisation or non-government organisation (NGO) that has been given guardianship of the person named on the certificate, you need to provide:

proof of care transfer management, or a letter confirming transfer of guardianship, and
a court order
their organisation ID or evidence of employment with the named organisation
proof of identity for the person named on the certificate
proof of identity for yourself.

Apply now

Apply for a new or replacement birth certificate online.

It’s the quickest and easiest way to submit your application.

Apply for a birth certificate

Order a commemorative certificate

For something special, you can choose from our range of commemorative birth certificate designs and purchase a certificate to frame as a gift or keep for yourself.

You can order a commemorative certificate at the same time as your standard birth certificate or separately.

What if I cannot apply online?

If you can’t apply online, you can download the birth certificate application form and submit it with the required documents*, either by post or in-person.

Paper forms are also available at your local Service NSW service centre.

By post:

NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages

GPO Box 30

Sydney NSW 2001

After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application so you can pay the application fee.

_{*Note: never post original identity documents.}

In person:

Head to your local Service NSW Centre.

Bring your completed form, supporting documents and proof of identity for staff to check and scan. You can pay the application fee at the same time.

Please note paper forms take longer than online applications because they are processed manually. The Registry may contact you if handwriting is difficult to read or there is missing information.

Fees and processing times

View the cost and processing time for standard birth certificates and commemorative birth certificates in the table below.

Please allow additional time for delivery. The processing times do not include Australia Post delivery. Check the current delivery times for Registered Post on the Australia Post website.

Sending your certificate overseas? International postage costs an additional $10. Please note, international Registered Post cannot be tracked. Learn more on the Australia Post website.

Standard birth certificate _{^{Fees include $11 postage and handling}}	Standard service $70	Priority service $105
Online application	Up to 3 weeks	Up to 2 weeks
Postal application	Up to 4 weeks	Up to 3 weeks
Via Service NSW	Up to 4 weeks	Up to 3 weeks
Fee to send a certificate to a passport office	$51

^{The listed processing times do not include postage delivery times. Please allow 5 to 7 days for delivery of the certificate.}

*Official birth certificate and commemorative certificate package** _{^{Fees include $11 postage and handling}}	Standard service $100	Priority service $135
Online application	Up to 4 weeks	Up to 3 weeks
Postal application	Up to 6 weeks	Up to 5 weeks
Via Service NSW	Up to 5 weeks	Up to 4 weeks

*Commemorative birth certificate only** _{^{Fees include $11 postage and handling}}	Standard service $44	Priority service
Online application	Up to 5 weeks	Not available
Postal application	Up to 6 weeks	Not available
Via Service NSW	Up to 6 weeks	Not available

^{*Commemorative certificates are sent separately from a standard certificate}
^{The listed processing times do not include postage delivery times. Please allow 5 to 7 days for delivery of the certificate}

Frequently asked questions

How do I correct a mistake on a birth certificate

If you find a mistake on your birth certificate, you can apply for a correction. You’ll need to return the original certificate to the Registry by post and include the correct information using the correct an entry form.

Please note, making a correction is not the same as making a change to a record. If you want to apply for a change of name, change of sex, or add or remove a parent from a birth certificate you need to submit a separate application.

Can I add donor-conceived siblings to a birth certificate

Siblings conceived through the same donated sperm or ovum (egg) are not automatically recorded as ‘Previous children of relationship’ on a birth certificate.

If you haven’t registered the child’s birth yet and would like to add a donor-conceived sibling to their birth certificate, you must apply using the paper birth certificate application form and include:

a cover letter explaining your request
evidence from the IVF clinic confirming that the children were conceived using the same donor.

Submit the completed paper application and supporting documents by post or at a Service NSW service centre.

If you would like to add a donor-conceived sibling to an existing birth certificate, you need to submit a correct an entry form with:

a cover letter explaining your request
evidence from the IVF clinic confirming that the children were conceived using the same donor.