The death of a baby is a difficult time. We acknowledge the emotional hardship you're facing. However, if your baby was stillborn or died soon after birth, the law requires you to register the birth.
Births must be registered within 60 days. There is no fee to register.
Do I need to register a birth or get a birth certificate?
Registering a birth and a getting a birth certificate are two different tasks.
Registering a birth is required by law. Getting a birth certificate is optional.
By registering the birth, your child will be remembered in Victoria's records. It also gives you the option to order a birth certificate in their memory.
Who can apply?
You can register a birth if you are a parent of a baby born in Victoria.
We acknowledge this is a difficult time for you and those close to you. Grief support organisations may be able to help.
Stillbirth
A stillborn baby is one who died after having been carried in the womb for 20 weeks or more, or weighing over 400 grams. Your medical practitioner determines this.
Loss of a newborn
If your baby died soon after being born, you will need to register the birth. A funeral director can register the death for you. The funeral director can also apply on your behalf for a death certificate if you need one.
Early pregnancy loss
If your baby died in early pregnancy, the birth can’t be registered. However, you can commemorate an early pregnancy loss with a recognition of early pregnancy loss certificate. It recognises a loss before 20 weeks, or if weeks are unknown, the baby weighed less than 400 grams.
What you'll need
We'll ask you for the following information during the application process.
Your legal obligation to provide correct data
The law requires people to notify us about certain life events. These include births. Learn about why you must give us correct data.
Protecting your safety
Your safety is our priority. We can support you if you have experienced family violence.
If you tell us that you have concerns for your safety, we can protect your information from the other parent.
For example, we don’t have to tell the other parent your address or contact details without your consent.
We may ask you to provide some documents to support your concerns.
Learn more about Protecting your safety at BDM.
Processing times
Current estimated times are:
| Type of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Birth registration and certificate for newborns | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
| Commemorative birth certificate | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
Allow extra time for public holidays and postage.
Types of certificates
When you register the birth, you don't automatically get a birth certificate. You can order a certificate at the time of registration or order one separately later.
Legal birth certificates are marked as stillborn or deceased. Commemorative birth certificates are not marked as stillborn or deceased.
Legal certificates
A legal birth certificate can be used as official proof of identity.
Commemorative certificates
Commemorative birth certificates are decorative keepsakes that celebrate the birth of your child. They are not legal documents. They can’t be used for official purposes, such as proving identity.
If you want a certificate for display purposes, order a commemorative birth certificate.
Australian Blue commemorative birth certificate
Australian Blue incorporates beautiful calligraphy and Australian imagery of gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves. It's printed in soft, harmonious shades and highlighted with gold. This style is also available in pink.
Australian Pink commemorative birth certificate
Australian Pink incorporates beautiful calligraphy and Australian imagery of gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves. It's printed in soft, harmonious shades and highlighted with gold. This style is also available in blue.
Victorian Birds commemorative birth certificate
Victorian Birds is painted in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian birds and is accompanied by a description of the birds. This style also comes in fauna.
Victorian Fauna commemorative birth certificate
Victorian Fauna is painted in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian animals and is accompanied by a description of the animals. This style also comes in birds.
Victorian Flora commemorative birth certificate
Victorian Flora is painted in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian flora and is accompanied by a description of the flora.
Rainbow commemorative birth certificate
BDM commissioned the rainbow commemorative birth certificate to: Celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and gender-diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) Victorians; Promote equality; and Reinforce our commitment to the inclusion of all communities.
Victorian Footprints commemorative birth certificate
Victorian Footprints certificate has space for you to personalise it with your baby's hand or foot prints. The certificate is a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of your child and would make a unique gift.
Victorian Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage brings together artwork by three Victorian Indigenous artists. Each artist depicts an element of birth in a way that celebrates Victoria's Aboriginal heritage.
Year of the Dog
Those born in the Year of the Dog are said to be honest, friendly and loyal. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with golden wattle, commonly found in Victoria. It features a cartoon of a mother dog and her pups.
Year of the Pig
Those born in the Year of the Pig are said to be sincere, brave and easy going. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with the Australian honeysuckle tree, found in Victoria. It features a cartoon of a mother pig and her piglets.
Year of the Rat
Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be wise, intelligent and determined. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with the Victorian countryside. A family of rats dances with joy in the Grampians mountains.
Year of the Ox
Those born in the Year of the Ox are said to be honest, observant and loyal. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with a Victorian farm scene. It depicts a mother tending her calves as dad looks on from the hay bales.
Year of the Tiger
Those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be adventurous, enthusiastic and unconventional. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with a Victorian beach scene. A parent tiger rests with its cubs on the sand. Behind is Port Fairy Lighthouse
Year of the Rabbit
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be intuitive, gentle and clever. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with a Victorian forest scene. A parent rabbit enjoys a picnic with their kits in the Dandenong Ranges.
Year of the Dragon
Those born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be intuitive, gentle and clever. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with Victorian landscape. It features a young dragon on one of the well-known Twelve Apostles rock formations.
Year of the Snake
Those born in the Year of the Snake are said to be enigmatic, wise and sympathetic. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with the Victorian gum tree (eucalyptus). A parent snake watches over their young. They hide at the foot of the gumtree.
Year of the Horse
Those born in the Year of the Horse are said to be honest, outspoken and easy going. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with a Melbourne landmark. It features Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station. A foal rides in a carriage.
Year of the Goat
Those born in the Year of the Goat are said to be intelligent, romantic and compassionate. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with the Victorian high country. A mother goat tends her kids in the Snowy Mountains, connecting to the birth theme
Year of the Monkey
Those born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be humorous, popular and confident. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with a Victorian beach scene. Young monkeys celebrate an Australian iron-man event, connecting with the birth theme.
Year of the Rooster
Those born in the Year of the Rooster are said to be talented, brave and self-reliant. The certificate combines Chinese design elements with Australian flora. A proud rooster crows delight at his brood of chicks and hen. Australian flowers surround them.
AFL commemorative birth certificates
For a born footy fan, celebrate the birth of a child with our official AFL commemorative certificates
Fees
There is no fee for registering a birth.
When registering a birth you may also wish to purchase a birth certificate. Refer to Get a birth certificate for fees and postage.
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