This page is for organisations who support people experiencing homelessness. It helps you to help your clients get their birth certificate.
This information is also available as a fact sheet for you to download. You can also:
- Download posters to display in your location
- Download content to share on your organisation's social media accounts.
Before you begin
It may help to read Supporting people experiencing disadvantage – it provides context and information.
Contact us
We are here to help. If in doubt, contact us to discuss. It’s important you have the right information.
- Email bdmapplicationmanagement@justice.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
- In the subject line, mention 'assisting a client who is experiencing homelessness'. This helps us manage these enquiries.
How to help your client apply
1: Was your client born in Victoria?
If yes: proceed. BDM can issue certificates for births in Victoria only.
If no: contact the Registry of the state or territory in which they were born.
2: Apply for a birth certificate
You can either:
- Apply online. Note the order number in case you need to follow up with us; or
- Apply by post. Request a paper application form by emailing bdmapplicationmanagement@justice.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
In the subject line, mention 'assisting a client who is experiencing homelessness'. This helps us manage these enquiries so that you get information you need.
If you want us to waive the fee for your client’s certificate, you’ll need to complete a fee waiver application form.
3: Provide certified proof of identity documents
For information about:
- Identity documents, refer to Proving your identity.
- Our proof of identity exceptions, email bdmapplicationmanagement@justice.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
All identity documents must be:
- Certified copies. Check the rules about who can certify documents(opens in a new window)
- Current, or dated within the last 12 months.
4: Complete the fee waiver form
Print, sign and attach the fee waiver form, if applicable.
5: Submit the application to BDM
If you're applying online, upload the documents with your application.
If you're applying by post, enclose them with your application.
Refer to document checklist, below.
Document checklist
Remember to provide all documents at the same time (with the application).
- The application form
- Plus, if applying for fee waiver:
- Fee waiver form
- A letter on official letterhead confirming homelessness, from either a:
- Government agency; or
- A recognised community or outreach organisation.
- Certified and current identity documents as set out below.
- Any statutory declarations or other documents set out below.
Extra documents you need to provide will depend on the way you’re supporting your client:
Guarantor-assisted application
Use when your client does not have enough proof of identity for their application.
What to provide
- Any proof of identity your client has that outlines their name (refer to our Proof of identity exception policy for guidance)
- Your proof of identity (refer to our standard proof of identity requirements).
- A statutory declaration(opens in a new window) from both you and your client outlining:
- How you know each other
- How long you have known each other
- Why they need the birth certificate.
Check out who can witness statutory declarations here(opens in a new window).
If you already gave us this as part of a fee waiver application, you don’t need to do another statutory declaration. However, your client must still provide their own statutory declaration.
If there is a problem with the documents provided, BDM will contact you. We will work with you to get the information you need.
Third party authority application
Use when your client:
- Has enough proof of identity, and
- Gives you authority to apply on their behalf.
What to provide
- Your client’s proof of identity
- Your proof of identity (refer to our standard proof of identity requirements)
- Plus, either:
- Our third party authority form, or
- A letter that outlines your client’s consent for you to access their birth certificate.
General assistance
Use when your client has enough proof of identity.
What to provide
You can generally assist with:
- Completing the application form
- Collecting and certifying their proof of identity
- Submitting the application to BDM.
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