Apply for a birth certificate

How to apply for a birth certificate

You can also apply for a birth certificate by:

Who can apply for a birth certificate

You can apply for your own birth certificate. Other people who can apply are:

  • a child’s parent
  • a person’s child
  • a child’s legal guardian – non-parent guardians must provide evidence
  • the person’s current partner – evidence of the relationship must be provided
  • an executor of their estate, administrator or trustee – evidence of authority must be provided
  • someone with written authority or power of attorney – evidence of authority must be provided

Please note, only the registered person or the parents of the registered person (if they are under 16 years) can apply for a certificate showing gender and change of name details, unless the registered person is dead or incapacitated.  

Pre-adoption birth records are open to the child with authorisation under Section 80 of the Adoption Act 1988 (form 17)

Anyone can access a birth record more than 100 years old.

Types of birth certificates

Birth Certificates

  • A birth certificate is an official, certified copy of the birth registration details held by Births, Deaths and Marriages.
  • There are options to apply for a certificate with or without gender and change of name details.

Certificates without gender

  • Birth certificate without gender and no details of registered name changes.
  • Birth certificate without gender, with details of registered name changes.

Certificates with gender

  • Birth certificate displaying all registered gender and name change details.
  • Birth certificate displaying current gender only (no previous gender or details of registered name changes).
  • Birth certificate displaying current gender and details of registered name changes (no gender history).
  • Birth certificate displaying all registered gender details but no details of registered name changes.

Decorative Birth Certificate

  • Designed for display purposes (A3 size). They do not show the registration number and are not suitable for evidence of identity purposes.  You can choose whether you would like gender included on the certificate.
  • There are 3 designs:

Flora

  • Tasmanian native floras in shades of green, gold and brown

Teddy

  • Perfect for hanging in the nursery.

Hands

  • A classic design that captures the bond between parent and child.

View Decorative Birth Certificates

The certificates are packaged in a protective cylinder.

Extract of Birth

  • Only shows name, date and place of birth. It does not contain information about parents and is not suitable for most evidence of identity purposes.

How long will it take to get my certificate

Standard service – approximately 2 weeks. It can take longer during peak periods.

Priority service (additional fees apply) – If your application has been approved your certificate can be issued on the same day.

Your certificate will be sent by registered and/or express post.

International Post: Currently there are significant delays for international postage with mail taking 25+ business days to be delivered.  Please contact us if you require your certificate urgently to discuss your options.

If you lodge a priority application at one of the following Service Tasmania centres, it can be printed onsite, ready for you to collect.

Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Devonport, Huonville, Scottsdale and Sorell.  Service Tasmania shop locations (external link).

Born interstate or overseas

See other Australian and overseas registries for what you need to do

If you need more details, contact us.

Last updated: 5 June 2023