Apply for your birth certificate

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WHAT IS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR?

You need your birth certificate to prove your identity for things like passports or claiming government benefits. They're also commonly used to research family histories.

A birth certificate can only be issued if the birth was registered in South Australia. If the birth was outside of South Australia, contact the registry of that state, territory or country.

You must Register the birth of your child before applying for a birth certificate.

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WHO CAN APPLY FOR A BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

Anyone born in South Australia can apply for their own birth certificate.

Anyone can access an historical birth certificate (more than 100 years old).

Only certain people can apply for a copy of someone else's birth certificate:

- a child's parent

- a person's child

- a child's legal guardian - evidence is needed for non-parent guardians

- the person's current spouse - evidence is needed if surnames are different

- an executor of their estate, administrator or trustee (evidence of authority is needed)

- someone with written authority or power of attorney (evidence of authority is needed).

When applying for someone else's certificate, you'll need to show proof of your connection to the person and give a reason for applying. For example, a parent applying for their child's certificate, or an executor settling a deceased estate.

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WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?

You'll need to provide basic information about the person, such as:

- names of parents

- date of birth

- place of birth.

You'll need to tell us if the information isn't available.

For example, an adult separated from their birth family at a young age.

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WHAT PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?

You need to prove your identity, unless you're applying for a birth certificate that's more than 100 years old.

You'll need to provide one of these combinations of documents:

- TWO documents from List 1

- ONE document from List 1 and ONE document from either List 2 or 3

- ONE document from List 2 and TWO documents from List 3

- THREE documents from List 3.

At least one document must show your name and address, and one document must show your signature.

All identification documents must be current (not expired). Where a document from list 3 is provided as evidence of your address, it must have been issued within the last three months.

You can upload scanned or photographed images of your ID documents.

If you're applying online, you must include a document from list 1, or your Medicare card, to be verified by the online Document Verification Service (DVS). If you live overseas, you can use your overseas driver’s licence or passport.

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ID LISTS

List 1

- Australian passport

- Australian's driver's licence

- CentreLink concession card

List 2

- Government employee photo ID

- Overseas driver's licence

- Tertiary student ID

- Overseas passport

- Aviation / maritime security ID card

- Medicare card

- Australian firearms licence

- Security guard or crowd control licence

List 3

- Bank statement

- Council rates notice

- Utility account statement (electricity, gas, water)

- Proof-of-age card

- Tenancy or lease agreement

- Motor vehicle registration papers

- Telephone or mobile account

- ATO notice of assessment

- Mortgage documents

- Australian Electoral Commission enrolment

- Senior's card

- Superannuation fund statement

- Certified academic university transcript

- Credit or debit card

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HOW CAN I APPLY?

You can apply online by clicking HERE.

You can fill out the form by clicking HERE.

You can post your signed form, supporting documents and payments to:

Births, Deaths and Marriages

Consumer and Business Services

GPO Box 1351

Adelaide SA 5001

Alternatively, you can lodge your application at a regional Service SA location.

You cannot apply for a certificate over the phone.

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REFERENCES

www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/certificates/birth-certificates