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SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of websites that appear official that provide birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates in return for a fee. These online companies are NOT endorsed by or affiliated in any way with the Office of Regulatory Services. For further information refer to the SCAMwatch warning .
The Office of Regulatory Services is responsible for the administration of legislation relating to the registration of certain events that occur in the A.C.T. such as births, deaths, marriages, changes of name, changes of sex, adoptions and deaths abroad, and provides certificates of registrations to authorised applicants. For counter applications you will be required to attend our shopfront at Fyshwick. Please refer to Contact Us for further details.
I want a birth certificate. A person whose birth is registered in the A.C.T. may apply for a certified copy of their birth certificate by completing an Application for Certificate or online and by paying the prescribed fee . Applications are assessed in accordance with the Certificate Access Policy .
At least three forms of identity must be provided with your application from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification .
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Original forms of identification must be presented if applying at our shopfront. Applications made via the post must be accompanied by copies of identification certified as true and correct copies by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Certificates that have been applied for via the post or online will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements please, contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want a marriage certificate. A person whose marriage is registered in the A.C.T. may apply for a certified copy of their marriage certificate by completing an Application for Certificate or online and by paying the prescribed fee . Applications are assessed in accordance with the Certificate Access Policy .
At least three forms of identity must be provided with your application from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification .
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Original forms of identification must be presented if applying at our shopfront. Applications made via the post must be accompanied by copies of identification certified as true and correct copies by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Certificates that have been applied for via the post or online will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements please, contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want a death certificate. Persons whom are named as either the spouse, domestic partner, parent or child of a deceased person whose death is registered in the A.C.T. may apply for a certified copy of the death certificate by completing an Application for Certificate or online and by paying the prescribed fee . Applications are assessed in accordance with the Certificate Access Policy .
At least three forms of identity must be provided with your application from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification .
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Original forms of identification must be presented if applying at our shopfront. Applications made via the post must be accompanied by copies of identification certified as true and correct copies by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
If you are not named on the death registration you will need to provide evidence of your relationship to the deceased.
Certificates that have been applied for via the post or online will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements please, contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
If the birth, death or marriage was registered in another State or Territory you will be required to apply for the certificate through that State or Territory Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry. Each registry has their own proof of identity requriements. Refer to Other Jurisdictions for information on how to apply for a certificate and proof of identity requirements from another State or Territory.
I want my child's birth certificate. The parents or guardian of a child whose birth is registered in the A.C.T. may apply for a certified copy of their birth certificate by completing an Application for Certificate or online prescribed fee . Applications are assessed in accordance with the Certificate Access Policy .
At least three forms of identity must be provided with your application from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification .
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Original forms of identification must be presented if applying at our shopfront. Applications made via the post must be accompanied by copies of identification certified as true and correct copies by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Please note - Applications for your child’s birth certificate may only be made by a parent or guardian where the child is under the age of 18 years. In the case of guardianship, you must produce the guardianship order or a copy certified as true and correct by a Solicitor, Justice of the Peace or Police Officer.
Applications may also be accepted by the parent or guardian of a child over the age of 18 where the child has given you written permission to do so. In these cases you will also need to provide three forms of identification of your child as outlined above or copies that have been certified true and correct by a Solicitor, Justice of the Peace or Police Officer.
Certificates that have been applied for via the post or online will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements please, contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want to register my child's birth. All births occurring in the A.C.T. must be registered within 60 days of the birth by the parent/s of the child by completing a Birth Registration Statement . Birth registration statements may be lodged in person at our shopfront or by post. A birth registration statement is usually provided by the hospital as the hospital completes certain information on the form on your behalf.
You may wish to also apply for a copy of your child’s birth certificate upon lodging the birth registration statement, as an application is included as part of the birth registration statement.
Certificates that have been applied for via the post will be sent to you by registered person to person post at which time you will need to present identification at the Post Office.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements, please contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want to change my name. To change your name in the A.C.T. you must either have had your birth registered in the A.C.T. or be a permanent A.C.T. resident. You may apply to change your name by completing an Application to Register a Change of Name for an Adult and by paying the prescribed fee .
your original birth certificate;
if born overseas a current Australian Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate or permanent residency visa;
if born in another State or Territory of Australia two forms proving ACT residency must be provided. Acceptable proof of residency documentation include:
Contract of Purchase, Current Lease or Rental Document for relevant premises (a receipt only is not acceptable) prepared by a real estate agency or ACT Government.
A.C.T. Revenue Office Rates Notice (current) or Land Tax Valuation Notice (current).
Australian Taxation Office Assessment (last or current financial year) or Australian Taxation Office tax file number notice (issued within the last 12 months) mailed to the nominated physical address. To protect your privacy customers are advised to block out their Tax File Number.
Utility Accounts relating to the nominated physical address (Electricity, Gas, Landline Telephone or Water) paid within the last 6 months.
Pay Television account relating to the applicants nominated physical address paid within the last 6 months.
Home Contents Policy relating to the applicants nominated physical address within one year of application.
Current Health/Life Insurance Policy or renewal notice within one year of application.
At least three forms of identity must be provided from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification provided:
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession card.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want to change my child's name. To change your child’s name in the A.C.T. you must either have had their birth registered in the A.C.T. or be a permanent A.C.T. resident. You may apply to change your child’s name by completing an Application to Register a Change of Name for a Child and by paying the prescribed fee .
both parents of the child unless:
there is only one parent named on the child’s birth certificate;
there is only one surviving parent of the child, in which case an original death certificate of the deceased parent must be provided; or,
the A.C.T. Supreme Court or any Court in Australia has made an order or a finding to allow the child’s name to be changed by one parent.
In order to assess your application you must provide:
your child’s original birth certificate;
if born overseas your child’s current Australian Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate or permanent residency visa, or documentation pertaining to yourself where your child is noted as such;
if born in another State or Territory of Australia, two forms proving ACT residency must be provided. Acceptable proof of residency documentation includes:
Contract of Purchase, Current Lease or Rental Document for relevant premises (a receipt only is not acceptable) prepared by a real estate agency or ACT Government.
A.C.T. Revenue Office Rates Notice (current) or Land Tax Valuation Notice (current).
Australian Taxation Office Assessment (last or current financial year) or Australian Taxation Office tax file number notice (issued within the last 12 months) mailed to the nominated physical address. To protect your privacy customers are advised to block out their Tax File Number.
Utility Accounts relating to the nominated physical address (Electricity, Gas, Landline Telephone or Water) paid within the last 6 months.
Pay Television account relating to the applicants nominated physical address paid within the last 6 months.
Home Contents Policy relating to the applicants nominated physical address within one year of application.
Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy dated within one year of application.
Current Health/Life Insurance Policy or renewal notice within one year of application.
three forms of identification unless the application is being made by only one parent. At least three forms of identity must be provided from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification provided:
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Please note - Applications for your child’s birth certificate may only be made by a parent or guardian where the child is under the age of 18 years. In the case of guardianship, you must produce the guardianship order or a copy certified as true and correct by a person authorised under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want to change my sex. To change your sex on your birth registration in the A.C.T. you must have had your birth registered in the A.C.T. and be at least 18 years of age and have undergone sexual reassignment surgery. You may apply to change your sex on your birth registration by completing an Application to Alter Birth Register to Record Register Change of Sex and by paying the prescribed fee .
Sexual reassignment surgery means a surgical procedure involving the alteration of a person’s reproductive organs carried out for the purpose of assisting a person to be considered a member of the opposite sex or to correct or eliminate an ambiguity relating to the sex of a person.
Applications to change your sex on your birth registration must be accompanied by two Medical Practitioner’s Declaration in Support of a Change of Sex .
At least three forms of identity must be provided with your application from the list below, with at least one form of Primary Identification .
Primary Proof of Identity
A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
Full Australian birth certificate (not a Commemorative certificate or an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used, appropriate linking documentation will be required.
Australian Passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship travel document (valid for up to 5 years after issue).
Department of Immigration and Citizenship Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status.
A.C.T. Police officer photo-identity card.
Australian Proof of Age Card (includes N.S.W. photo card) (current or expired up to 2 years).
Secondary Proof of Identity
Current Medicare card.
Current credit card or account card, with signature and embossed name from a bank, building society or credit union.
Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature) issued by an educational institution.
Australian-issued security guard/crowd controller licence (with photo).
A.C.T. Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
Australian-issued firearm licence (with photo).
Current Consular photograph identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
Australian Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
A.C.T. Services Access card issued by the A.C.T. Government (for asylum seekers).
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (C’wlth) (eg. Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or Police Officer).
Upon alteration of the birth registration to reflect the change of sex you may apply for an updated birth certificate.
If you are unable to satisfy the identification requirements or wish to discuss a change of sex relating to a person under the age of 18, please contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
Who is authorised to conduct a marriage ceremony? Marriages in Australia are conducted in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth)
Ministers of religion of recognised denominations (church related);
Other officers of a State or Territory or other fit and proper persons authorise by the Commonwealth Attorney-General (civil celebrants and others of non-recognised denominations); and,
Persons who, under the law of a State or Territory, have the function of registering marriages (delegated staff of Birth, Death and Marriage Registries). Please note A.C.T. Births, Deaths and Marriages does not solemnize marriages.
Marriages in the A.C.T. may be performed by a celebrant authorised as a marriage celebrant under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth) Register of Marriage Celebrants maintained by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department to ensure your proposed celebrant is authorised to perform marriages. The register includes civil marriage celebrants and marriage celebrants from both recognised and non-recognised religious denominations.
When a family member dies overseas must the death be registered? Deaths of Australian citizens that occur overseas do not necessarily need to be registered in Australia, however they may be if the individual circumstances require the death to be registered. You should seek independent legal advice as to whether the death needs to be registered.
Where a death that occurred overseas needs to be registered you should contact the State or Territory that the deceased was normally resident. Most jurisdictions are able to register a death that occurred overseas where the person was normally a resident of that jurisdiction.
Where the person was normally a resident of the A.C.T, the death will be registered under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997
The Office of Regulatory Services is also responsible for the administration of the Registration of Deaths Abroad Act 1985 (Cwlth)
If you wish to register a death as a death abroad you should contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
What records can I access? The Registrar-General maintains a Certificate Access Policy
If you are unsure if you are able to access information contained in a register, please contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
I want to find out about my family history. The Registrar-General maintains a Certificate Access Policy which outlines who, and under what circumstances, a person may access information. In general terms where a birth occurred more than 100 years ago, a marriage occurred over 75 years ago, or a death occurred more than 30 years ago, the limitations imposed upon applicants are less stringent.
If you are unsure if you are able to access information contained in a register, please contact the Office of Regulatory Services for further assistance.
Who can get access to my records? The Registrar-General is required to protect the details of persons named in a register from any unreasonable intrusion into their privacy. Access to information is subject to the Certificate Access Policy
Identifiable information may also be provided to law enforcement organisations and authorised organisations that have legal authority to request information under prescribed circumstances.
Documents that are presented to the Office of Regulatory Services may also be verified through the Certificate Validation Service or National Document Verification Service . Subscribers of these services may also verify documents issued by the Office of Regulatory Services.
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