What is this application for?
If there's an error on a birth certificate, you can apply to have it corrected.
We assess all corrections before making them.
Refer to Evidence required for common changes and the evidence you’ll need to provide.
If you want to add or remove a parent's name to a birth certificate, see:
Who can apply?
Generally, you can only apply to correct your own or your child's certificate, if your child is under 18. Both parents need to apply if there are two parents listed on the child’s birth certificate.
What you'll need
We'll ask for information on the person named on the certificate, and you'll need to provide proof of identity.
Details of the person on the certificate
As a minimum, we ask for:
- Given name
- Family name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth.
The original birth certificate
We ask you to return the original certificate before we can issue a new, corrected version.
Proof of identity
You can prove your identity two ways:
The easiest way to prove your identity is online.
You can use this proof of identity questionnaire if you're not sure which option is best for you.
Evidence required
The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make.
For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Learn more about translated documents.
The evidence listed below covers most common correction requests. If you can't provide the evidence listed, send the best evidence you have available.
We will let you know if we need more evidence.
| Correction | Acceptable evidence |
|---|---|
| Add a parent's name | Read Add a parent to a birth certificate |
| Name on the certificate | Evidence that proves the correct name intended at the time of birth, such as:
And, in addition: To correct your child's name:
To correct your name (an adult):
If you can't prove use of the correct name from birth, you'll need to apply for a change of name rather than a correction. |
| Parent age or place of birth | Either a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or overseas passport of the parent. |
| Parent occupation | Evidence that proves the parent's occupation at the time of the birth, such as:
|
| Parental description (e.g. mother and mother; father and father) | Proof of your identity. Child's consent (if the child is between 12 and 18 years old) Enter the description you want in the 'Correction details' box in step 3. You must already be named on the birth certificate - if not, refer to Add a parent to a birth certificate. Read more about Correcting a parent’s details on a birth certificate |
| Parents' marriage details | Marriage certificate with the correct details. |
| Parents' non-registered domestic relationship (de facto relationship) | Statutory declaration(opens in a new window) signed by both parents, confirming that both are requesting the change. The corrected certificate will show the parents' relationship as 'domestic relationship'. |
| Previous children (names or ages) | Birth certificate(s) of the other child/children of the same parents, showing the correct details. |
| Remove a father incorrectly named as the biological father | One of the following:
|
| Sex | Statutory declaration(opens in a new window) confirming:
Evidence that proves the correct sex, such as:
Note: Correcting the sex on a birth certificate isn't the same as actually changing your record of sex. See Change a record of sex. |
Processing times
When you apply, we email you details of documents you need to provide. Our processing times start when we receive all required documents.
If you didn't receive an email after applying, contact us.
| Type of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Correction to a certificate | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
Allow extra time for public holidays and postage.
Delivery of multiple certificates
We send legal certificates by express post, for security.
For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.
Certificate fees and postage
The fees are non-refundable except as set out in our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.
Certificate fees
| Whereabouts of original certificate | Price |
|---|---|
| If you return the original recognised details certificate | $0.00 |
| If you do not return the original recognised details certificate | $55.80 |
Postage fees are additional.
Postage fees
We send legal certificates by express post, for security.
| Postage and handling method | Price |
|---|---|
| Express post (within Australia) | $10.20 |
| Express post (International) | $55.50 |
Payment methods
Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.
After you've submitted your application
You'll receive an email after you've submitted your application.
If you didn't receive an email after applying, first check your spam inbox. If you still don't have the email, read about common causes of delay.
Once we have everything we need, we complete your application within processing timeframes and email to let you know when we've posted your certificate.
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