What is this application for?
Use this application to apply to register a domestic relationship in Victoria.
To register a domestic relationship:
- You both need to take part in registering the relationship
- You both need to prove your identity
- One of you will need to provide evidence you live in Victoria at the time of applying.
Who can apply?
You can apply to register a domestic relationship in Victoria if you are a couple and:
- You're both at least 18 years old
- At least one of you lives in Victoria at the time you apply
- You're not already:
- Married
- In a registered relationship, or
- In another relationship that could be registered
- You provide domestic support to each other
- You're committed to each other both personally and financially.
It takes at least 28 days (4 weeks) to register a relationship. This starts from the date we receive a complete and valid application. Learn more about processing times.
You can apply for a relationship certificate when registering or at a later date.
Immigration and registered relationships
The Department of Home Affairs can advise about relationships and immigration.
What you’ll need
Details of the relationship
Both of you need to take part in registering the relationship:
- Partner 1 completes their part of the application
- We email Partner 2
- Partner 2 completes their part.
You can only complete your own section.
Proof of identity
Both of you must prove your 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 are not sure which option is best for you.
Live overseas?
You can provide equivalents, such as a foreign driver licence or foreign birth certificate.
Learn more about what you’ll need to do if your documents aren’t in English.
Proof of living in Victoria
One of you must prove that you live in Victoria at the time of applying.
Documents can include:
- Bank statement showing:
- Address in Victoria, and
- Recent transactions in Victoria
- Confirmation of enrolment in a Victorian tertiary education institution
- Rental agreement (joint name may be acceptable) for an address in Victoria
- Utility account (gas, water, electricity or home phone) with address in Victoria.
Document must be current or dated within the last 12 months.
Statutory declaration that you are eligible to enter the relationship
Both of you must provide a statutory declaration verifying that you:
- Consent to the registration, and
- Are not married or in a registered relationship, and
- Are not in another relationship that could be registered.
It must be signed in the presence of a qualified witness(opens in a new window). One person may witness both declarations.
Before you begin
Each partner needs to provide their own details. In most cases, we will email the second partner after the first partner has applied.
We need a different email address for the second partner. Otherwise, they will not be able to complete the application.
Do not try to complete the other partner’s section on their behalf. Legally, we need each partner to do their own part.
When you apply, please take care to provide correct details.
Enter details exactly as they appear on your identity documents. This includes spelling and capitalisation (e.g. Name).
Remember to review the sections before you submit.
Processing times
When you apply for a certificate or registration, 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 |
|---|---|
| Relationship registration and certificate* | Up to 35 days (5 weeks) |
Allow extra time for public holidays and postage.
If you order legal and commemorative certificates together, we post them separately.
*The law requires a 28-day cooling off period when registering a domestic relationship. We can’t issue a certificate until 28 calendar days have passed and we have registered the relationship.
Types of certificates
You can apply for a relationship certificate when registering or at a later date.
Legal certificates
A legal certificate can be used as proof of your relationship for legal and other official purposes.
Commemorative certificates
Commemorative relationship certificates are decorative mementos to preserve your special event. They're not a legal document and can't be used for official purposes.
You can choose to order a commemorative certificate at the time you order your standard relationship certificate. There are two designs by local artists to choose from. Each is printed on archival quality paper and fits a standard frame size of 280mm x 355mm (11" x 14").
If you want a certificate for display purposes, order a commemorative certificate.
Commemorative relationship certificate - Eternity
Commemorative relationship certificate - Calligraphy
Fees and postage
The fees are non-refundable except as set out on our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.
Registration and certificate fees
| Type of certificate | Price |
|---|---|
Relationship registration
| $251.50 |
| Legal certificate | $55.80 |
Certificate package (Legal with Commemorative) Order a legal and commemorative certificate together. A commemorative certificate is not accepted as an official Australian relationship certificate. It is for decorative purposes only. | from $90.70 |
Postage
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.
| Postage type | Price |
|---|---|
| Express post (within Australia) | $10.20 |
| Express post (International) | $55.50 |
Payment methods
Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.
After your application is submitted
You‘ll receive an email after submitting 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’ll complete your application within processing timeframes. We’ll email to let you know when we’ve posted your certificate.
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