Frequently asked questions
General enquiries for births, deaths and marriages occurring outside of Queensland
If I was not born in Queensland can I apply for my birth certificate at the registry?
No. You must contact the Registry Office in the state, territory or country in which your birth occurred. Refer overseas and interstate enquiries
If the death occurred outside of Queensland can I apply for the death certificate at the registry?
No. You must contact the Registry Office in the state, territory or country in which the death occurred. Refer overseas and interstate enquiries
If the marriage occurred outside of Queensland can I apply for the marriage certificate at the registry?
No. You must contact the Registry Office in the state, territory or country in which the marriage occurred. Refer overseas and interstate enquiries
What do I do to get married in Australia but outside of Queensland?
Contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages or an authorised marriage celebrant in the State or Territory in which you wish to get married. Refer overseas and interstate enquiries
What do I do to get married overseas?
Contact the relevant authority, for example: the embassy or consulate of the country in which you wish to get married for information regarding rules and regulations for getting married in that country.
Can a person obtain a document to say he or she has not been married before?
Yes. This is called a 'No Record of Marriage in Queensland. It is quite common for people who wish to be married overseas to be asked to obtain such a document when making their marriage arrangements. A search is completed from the person’s 16th birthday to the present or from their divorce date to the present if applicable. The search cost is $20.00 for each five year period or part thereof. No record of marriage in Queensland application
Queensland birth, death or marriage certificate application enquiries
Am I eligible to apply for a birth, death or marriage certificate?
Please see the Registry’s Certificate Access Policy for your eligibility. If you are not an eligible applicant you must provide the written consent or authority from an authorised person. You must also provide identification for yourself and the person for whom you are acting. There is unrestricted access and no identification requirements are needed for births that occurred more than 100 years ago, marriages that occurred more than 75 years ago and deaths that occurred more than 30 years ago.
No. Applications are only accepted by post or in person at the QLD Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, QLD Magistrate Courts and QGAP Offices.
Can I apply for another person's birth, death or marriage certificate?
If the certificate relates to a person other than yourself and you do not qualify under the Registry’s Certificate Access Policy you must provide the written consent or authority from an eligible person. You must also provide identification for yourself and the person for whom you are acting. There is unrestricted access and no identification requirements for births that occurred more than 100 years ago, deaths that occurred more than 30 years ago and marriages that occurred more than 75 years ago.
To apply for a Queensland birth, death or marriage certificate you must complete the relevant application form and produce the required identification. The form explains the identification you will need to produce. Application forms are available through this website or may also be obtained and lodged in person at the Registry public counter, at a Queensland Magistrates Court or QGAP office or by post.
What identification do I need when applying for a birth, death or marriage certificate?
It depends on what you are applying for, however all applications must be accompanied by evidence of the applicant's identification. Failure to provide identification may result in processing delays with the application. Acceptable documents to be used as identification are listed on the application forms and on the website.
A standard birth certificate provides legal evidence of your name, age, place of birth and parents’ details. A birth certificate is a primary identity document. You need a birth certificate to enrol a child in school, join a sporting club, to get a passport or driver’s licence, gain employment or government benefits and to get married. An extract is a shortened version of a standard birth certificate which is not generally accepted for business purposes.
A commemorative certificate is for personal use only and the Registry has a range available for purchase
How much is a birth, death or marriage certificate?
Download the Births, deaths and marriages list of scheduled fees
What payment options are there?
The Registry and some Magistrates Courts public counters accept payments by the following methods:
cash, cheque, money order, credit card (Visa or MasterCard), eftpos. Cheques are not accepted for payment for priority applications.
The Registry accepts postal applications and payments made by the following methods:
cheque, money order, credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Cheques and money orders should be made payable to “Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages”.
How long will a birth, death or marriage certificate take?
Processing times may vary, however applications for standard certificates, received at the Registry by mail are normally processed within five (5) working days. Time should be allowed for postal delivery. Please allow up to ten (10) working days for delivery of Commemorative Certificates. Information on current processing times
Provided an event is already registered, priority applications lodged at the Registry public counter are processed within three hours if lodged before 1.00 pm, and those received by mail are posted out the same day.
The priority service is available at a cost of $23.00 in addition to the standard certificate fee of $37.00. If express post is also required there is an additional fee of $5.05. Registered post is available for a fee of $3.70. Applications may be lodged either by post, at a Queensland Magistrates Court, QGAP office or at the public counter at the Registry.
Special Note: The certificates which are available immediately (only at the Registry public counter) are Births after 1974, Deaths after 1980 and Marriages after 1 July 2006. No priority fee applies.
I haven't received the certificate I ordered. What should I do?
If you have been waiting longer than 10 working days for the certificate you ordered, you will need to check with your local Post Office to investigate whether there has been a problem with delivery. If they have no relevant information, please contact the Registry to confirm the date the certificate was sent and the mailing address. View our processing times.
If you consider that you should have received your certificate by now, call the call centre on 1300 366 430 or send an email to: bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
What do I do if there is a mistake on my certificate?
In some cases you may feel that some of the information on the certificate may be incorrect, for example: spelling errors. Please return the incorrect certificate to the Registry (mail is the preferred method) with a covering letter advising what you believe to be incorrect. Remember to sign the letter and include your contact details. A Registry Officer will check the records to see what correction is required and then advise you by mail or telephone of any documentary evidence which may be required and costs, if any, which may or may not be incurred.
Please post the certificate and the covering letter to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Attention - “Corrections Section”
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST, Queensland 4002
Registering a Queensland birth
How do I register my child’s birth
It is compulsory to register the birth of a child in Queensland, whether born alive or stillborn, within 60 days. The Registry also registers births which occur on an aircraft or ship where the first port of call is in Queensland.
You will normally be provided with a birth registration pack by the hospital. Look for a green and white envelope with the Queensland Government logo on it. Once you’ve completed the form (form 1), you can place it back in the envelope and post it. In the case of multiple births, you must fill in a separate form for each child.
If you gave birth to your child at home, the midwife who attended the birth must provide written advice of the event for you to lodge with the birth registration form. If a midwife was not present at the birth, then the health professional who was consulted after the birth must provide written advice of the event. Also, anyone present at the home birth should submit a signed declaration stating that they were present.
I have lost the birth registration form. How do I get a replacement?
Please call the Registry call centre on 1300 366 430 or email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
How long after the birth do I have to register my child’s birth?
The Birth Registration Form (form 1) provided by the hospital or midwife must be completed and signed by both parents and sent to the Registry within 60 days of the birth of the child.
If you are registering your child after the 60 day period, a late fee of $4.00 will apply.
What is the timeframe for registering a birth?
Once the registration paperwork is received, processing times may vary, but standard registration applications are normally processed within 10 working days. View our processing times.
Is there a fee to register my child's birth?
No. There is no fee to register your child’s birth, however there is a fee of $37.00 to purchase a Birth Certificate.
What must I do if the other parent will not sign the birth registration form?
If only one parent has signed the form, he or she must attach a letter to the birth registration application form including the other parents contact details and the reason why the other parent has not signed.
Registering a Queensland death
How is a death registered?
Every death in Queensland must be registered.
A spouse, partner or relative of the deceased person must lodge a death registration application form within 14 days of the death. Usually, the funeral director will provide and help you complete the Death registration application, and then collect and forward all necessary information to the Registry.
Families electing to make independent funeral arrangements in preference to using a funeral director should contact the Registry for information on the death registration process.
What is the timeframe for registering a death?
Once the registration paperwork is received, processing times may vary, but standard registration applications are normally processed within 10 working days. View our processing times.
Registering a Queensland marriage
How is my marriage registered?
Registering your marriage is not your responsibility. It is compulsory for the person who performed the ceremony (marriage celebrant, minister of religion etc) to notify the details of the marriage to the Registry within 14 days from the date of the wedding.
What is the timeframe for registering a marriage?
Once the registration paperwork is received, processing times may vary, but standard registration applications are normally processed within 10 working days. View our processing times.
Getting married at the registry office or a Queensland Magistrates Court
Am I eligible to marry?
Any person 18 years or older (irrespective of nationality or citizenship) can get married as long as their marital status is: never validly married, widower, widowed or divorced.
What is the process?
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages provides a beautiful heritage marriage room for your special day, especially if you prefer a simple 'no fuss' ceremony.
A Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged at least one month and not more than eighteen months, before the marriage takes place, regardless of where you marry in Queelsland. Upon lodging the Notice of Intended Marriage, the following documentation will need to be presented to the Marriage Celebrant by each party to the marriage:
- if born in Australia - Birth Certificate
- if born overseas - Birth Certificate (translated into English) or Passport from country of origin.
If you are a naturalised Australian and you can not provide either your birth certificate or passport from country of origin, your naturalisation certificate along with a Statutory Declaration can be presented. If previously married - divorce papers (Decree Absolute), or death certificate (if previous spouse is deceased)
Lodgement of the Notice of Intended Marriage is accepted at the Registry office from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30 am to 4.30 pm by appointment only. Please call 1300 366 430 to book your appointment.
Marriages are performed weekdays (except public holidays) and Saturdays. The ceremony takes approximately 10-15 minutes, with ample opportunity to take photos and record the event.
How much does it cost to get married at the registry office or a QLD Magistrate Court?
A Weekday Ceremony is $275.00 and a Saturday Ceremony is $355.00.
Can I change the time or date of my wedding at the registry office?
Yes. In the event of cancellation, a notice in writing must be received by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages at least 14 days prior to the date of the ceremony. In these cases, only part of the fee may be refunded. Where the bridal couple requests a change of day or time, new booking arrangements will be negotiated and a suitable day/and or time will be confirmed at no extra charge. Additional fees may be charged for any further change to the date or time. Telephone the Registry on 1300 366 430 to make the arrangements.
Change of name enquiries
How do I change my name or my children’s name?
The application form to register a change of name for an adult over 18 can only be used if your birth is registered in Queensland or if you were born overseas and you have been a resident in Queensland for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of your application.
Only one change of name is allowed in any 12 month period.
The application form to register a change of name for a child under 18 can only be used if the child's birth is registered in Queensland or if the child was born overseas and has been a resident in Queensland for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of your application.
Only one change of name is allowed in any 12 month period.
For children born in Queensland and who are under the age of 12 months, one change of first name/s is permitted before the child turns one year old. The application form (form 3) is available on the Registry website.
What identification do I need to change my name or my child’s name?
For your name change, an application will require your birth details, your identity and any previous changes of name/s. If you were born overseas, proof of your residence in Queensland (for example: electoral enrolment, employment letter, letter from a medical practitioner) and documentation regarding your birth and any previous changes of name is also required.
For your child’s name change, an application will require your child’s birth details, identity of the parent’s named on the child’s birth certificate and any previous changes of name/s of the child. If your child was born overseas, proof of your child’s residence in Queensland and documentation regarding your child’s birth is also required.
For children under the age of 12 months, only the parent’s identification is required when changing the first name/s only. The application forms detail these requirements.
What can I do if only one parent will consent to a change of name for a child?
Approval from a Queensland Magistrate in the correct format (Form 5 – under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules, 1999) allowing a single parent or guardian to change a child’s name, if that change is in the best interest of the child. Contact your nearest Queensland Magistrates Court or provide proof that one of the registered biological parents and/or guardians is deceased.
What is the cost of a change of name?
The fee for a change of name is $145.00. This includes either a new birth certificate (if born in QLD) or a change of name certificate.
How long does a change of name take?
Currently a change of name takes four weeks to process. This does not include delivery times via Australia Post.
You can apply for an urgent change of name which takes five working days to process which incurs an additional $76.00 priority fee.
Can other members of my family change their names on the same application form?
No. A separate application form is needed for each person.
If I had previously registered my change of name by Deed Poll, how do I get a change of name certificate?
In most cases you will need to complete a Noting a Change of Name form.
A person whose name has been changed under the law of another state or by Deed Poll and whose birth or adoption has been registered in Queensland can apply to note their change of name.
The application must be fully completed with the appropriate identification and supporting documents, for example: the Deed Poll and the schedule fee of $31.00. A fee of $37.00 applies if a certificate is required.
Copy of Deed Poll documents can be obtained either from State Archives for Deed Polls completed before 1996 or from the Supreme Court for Deed Polls completed between 1996 and February 2004.
How do I apply for a replacement change of name certificate?
If your change of name was registered in Queensland, you must provide the Registry with the following:
- a completed application form
- required identification
- the fee for the certificate $37.00 which includes standard postage
Please phone the Registry on 1300 366 430 or email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au to obtain a copy of the form.
Can I apply for another person’s change of name certificate?
No. If the certificate relates to a person other than yourself, you do not qualify under the Registry’s Certificate Access Policy. You must provide the written consent or authority from the authorised person. You must also provide identification for yourself and the person for whom you are acting.
Can I apply for a change of name at a Magistrates Court?
No. All applications must be made either in person at the Registry or by mail.
How do I change my name after marrying in Australia?
If you were married in Australia and wish to take your spouse’s surname, you only need a copy of your Marriage Certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory in which you got married. It is up to the individual to establish that their name has been changed. This can be achieved by forwarding a certified copy, or taking the original of your certificate to each organisation, for example the Queensland Transport or Passport Office. Please note this certificate is different to the Commonwealth Wedding Certificate you were given on the day of your wedding.
If you want to change your name in any other way, please contact the Registry by phoning the call centre on 1300 366 430 or email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
How do I change my name after marrying overseas?
This can be a complex matter depending on each individual situation.
We recommend that you contact the organisations where your details are held, for example: Banks, Medicare, Centrelink, Passports office for their requirements.
Do I have to do a declaration of change of name after marriage?
This can be a complex matter depending on each individual situation.
We recommend that you contact the organisations where your details are held, for example: Banks, Medicare, Centrelink, Passports office for their requirements.
Will an overseas marriage certificate be sufficient for change of name in Australia?
This can be a complex matter depending on each individual situation.
We recommend that you contact the organisations where your details are held, for example: Banks, Medicare, Centrelink, Passports office for their requirements.
Can I revert to my maiden name after a relationship change?
There is no general requirement for a registration of change of name. It should be sufficient for a woman to produce her birth or marriage certificate(s) and divorce papers/death certificate to an institution. Please refer to the relevant institution for their requirements.
A change of name only authorises a person to use another name. It does not alter the rights and obligations of the parents. Adoption creates a new birth record showing the adopting parents as the legal parents.
Privacy
Are births, deaths and marriages recorded confidentially at the Registry?
Yes. Information in the Registry records is private and confidential and will only be issued to eligible applicants in accordance with the Certificate Access Policy and identification requirements.
If you are not an eligible applicant you must provide the written authority of a person who is entitled to the certificate and/or information contained in a record, together with your own and the authorised person’s identification.
There is unrestricted certificate access and no identification requirements for births that occurred more than 100 years ago, marriages that occurred more than 75 years ago and deaths that occurred more than 30 years ago.
Family history
Does the Registry offer a genealogy service?
The Registry is only able to provide information by way of certificates and does so following receipt of a formal application. You can search the Queensland historical indexes for free. At present, the only records available are for births registered up to and including 1914, deaths registered up to and including 1964 and marriages registered up to and including 1934.
How do I get copies of certificates for family history?
To apply for a Queensland birth, death or marriage certificate you must complete the relevant application form. This is the standard application form, you do not need to complete a different form to request a historical certificate. Identification is not required for applications if you are applying for:
- Birth certificates more than 100 years old
- Death certificates more than 30 years old
- Marriage certificates more than 75 years old
The fee for each certificate is $37.00 which includes standard postage.
How much does it cost to obtain a copy of an historical certificate?
Historical certificates are the same cost as a standard birth, death or marriage certificate which is $37.00 each (includes standard postage).
Can I view birth, death or marriage records at the Registry?
No. You can only use the online historical search feature.
Information about wills
Where do I get a copy of a will?
The Registry does not register or issue copies of wills. If probate has been granted you may enquire about obtaining a copy of the will from the Probate Office on 07 3247 4313.
Divorce information
Where can I obtain divorce information?
All divorce matters including Divorce Packages, Divorce Certificates and all Divorce enquiries in Australia, from 1974 onwards, are handled by the ‘FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA’.
International callers: +61 2 8892 8578.
Call (Australia only): 1300 352 000 (Local call charge from anywhere in Australia. Mobiles charged at application rates).
Email: enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au
www.familylawcourts.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FLC/Home/Separation+and+Divorce/Divorce/
Contact us
Where is the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and what are the office hours?
The Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages is located at:
110 George Street,
Brisbane QLD 4000
Postal Address:
PO Box 15188
City East QLD 4002
Office Hours:
8.30 am-4.30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
To avoid the usual busy times please consider visiting the Registry between 8.30 am-10.00 am or 2.00 pm-4.00 pm.
Phone:
1300 366 430 (Local call charge within Australia. Mobiles charged at applicable rates).