Accessing certificates in hardship situations

Request certificates

To apply read the steps and start answering the questions.

Step 1—Fill out online

1. Start by answering the question below—it should take you less than 15 minutes.
2. Download and print the filled-in application form.

Step 2—Complete on paper and submit

3. Sign and date your application form on page 2.
4. Gather your evidence of financial hardship, immediate need and proof of ID documents to submit with your completed application by post.

1. Can you apply for a fee-waived certificate?

   1. Are you eligible to apply for the certificate(s)? * View the access policy to check

      • Yes
      • No
   2. Do you have evidence that you are suffering financial hardship? * View what you need to provide for evidence of financial hardship. (If you chose 'Yes' above)

      • Yes
      • No
   3. Do you have evidence that you have an immediate need for the certificate(s)? * View what you need to provide for evidence of immediate need. (If you chose 'Yes' above)

      • Yes
      • No
   4. * I understand that if evidence of both financial hardship and immediate need are not provided my application will not be approved and I will need to complete a new application or order and pay for the certificate.
      (If you chose 'Yes' above)
   5. Do you have all the proof you need for identification? * View the proof you will need to provide. (If you chose 'True' above)

      • Yes
      • No
   6. By using the following online service and providing an email address and contact number, I consent to the use of these contact details for the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) to provide me with email or SMS correspondence relating to this request. I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that I have nominated a secure email address for RBDM to send the correspondence to. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to ensure the security of that information upon receipt of it.
   1. Who is applying?

      Your current name

      1. First name *
      2. Middle name(s)
      3. Family name If you don't have a family name and only use the name above, enter n/a. *
      4. I declare that *
      5. • I am eligible to apply and the certificate(s) I am requesting is registered in Queensland.

      
      

      Your home address

      1. Address line 1 *
      2. Address line 2
      3. Address line 3
      4. 1. Town, city or suburb *
         2. State or territory *
         3. Postcode *

      Email *

      Contact number * Mobile preferred

      Is your postal address the same as your home address? *

      • Yes
      • No

      (If you chose 'No' above)

      1. Your postal address

         1. Address line 1 *
         2. Address line 2
         3. Address line 3
         4. 1. Town, city or suburb *
            2. State or territory *
            3. Postcode *
         5. Country Only include country if not Australia.
   2. Order details

      Proof of ID and evidence of financial hardship and immediate need must be submitted. When submitting by post, get your documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
      1. How will you submit your application, supporting documents and proof of ID? *

         
         

         In person (with original supporting documents and proof of ID) at:

         • your local Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office (excludes the Brisbane Magistrates Court)
         • the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane

         Or by post (with certified copies of supporting documents and proof of ID):

         • to RBDM (address will be provided at end)
   3. The certificate(s) I have an immediate need for is for: * You will need to complete a separate form for each person.

      • Myself
      • My child
      • Another person
   4. (If you chose 'Another person' above)

      How are you related to the person the certificate is for? For example, I am their grandmother/uncle/child.

      You must submit additional supporting eligibility documents along with your proof of ID, and your evidence of financial hardship and immediate need.
   5. Type of certificate(s)

      *

      1. What type of certificate(s) do you have an immediate need for?

         • Birth certificate
         • Change of name certificate
         • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
   6. Type of certificate(s)

      *

      1. What type of certificate(s) do you have an immediate need for?

         • Birth certificate
         • Change of name certificate
         • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
         • Death certificate
   7. Type of certificate(s)

      *

      1. What type of certificate(s) do you have an immediate need for?

         • Birth certificate
         • Change of name certificate
         • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
         • Death certificate
   8. Your birth certificate details
      These are the details that are shown on your birth certificate.
      1. Place of birth or adoption

         1. Town or city *
         2. State QLD
         3. Date of birth * dd/mm/yyyy
         4. Your name at birthFirst name *
         5. Middle name(s)
         6. Family name * If you don't have a family name and only use the name above, enter n/a.
      2. Your mother's details
      3. These are your mother's details as shown on your birth certificate.
      4. 1. First name *
         2. Middle name(s)
         3. Family name at birth *This is your mother's family name at the time of her birth. If your mother didn't have a family name at birth, enter n/a.
         Your father or registered parent's details

         These are your father or parent's details as shown on your birth certificate.

         1. First name *
         2. Middle name(s)
         3. Family name * If your father or parent doesn't have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
      Reason you need this certificate
      Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your birth certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
      Tell us why you need your birth certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   9. Your replacement change of name certificate details
      Your change of name must already be registered in Queensland.
      1. Date of name change * dd/mm/yyyy
      Your new name
      2. First name *
      3. Middle name(s)
      4. Family name * If your change of name was registered without a family name, enter n/a.
      Reason you need this certificate

      Tell us why you can't pay the fee for a replacement change of name certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

      Tell us why you need a replacement change of name certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   10. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate details
       Your marriage or civil partnership must already be registered in Queensland.
       1. Place of marriage or civil partnership

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of marriage or civil partnership * dd/mm/yyyy
          4. Partner 1's name First name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 1 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
          7. Partner 2's name First name *
          8. Middle name(s)
          9. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 2 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your marriage or civil partnership certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need your marriage or civil partnership certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   11. Child's birth certificate details
       Your child's birth must already be registered in Queensland. These are the details as shown on the birth certificate you are applying for.
       1. Place of birth or adoption

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of birth * dd/mm/yyyy
          4. Child's name registered at birthFirst name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * If the birth was registered without a family name and only shows the name above, enter n/a.
       2. Mother's details
       3. These are the mother's details as shown on the birth certificate.
       4. 1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name at birth *This is your mother's family name at the time of her birth. If your mother didn't have a family name at birth, enter n/a.
          Father or registered parent's details

          These are the father or parent's details as shown on the birth certificate.

          1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name * If your father or parent doesn't have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate
       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your child's birth certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
       Tell us why you need your child's birth certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting evidence.* View what evidence you must provide.
   12. Child's replacement change of name certificate details
       The change of name must already be registered in Queensland.
       
       Check to see if you need to submit additional supporting eligibility documents for us to send you this certificate.
       1. Date of name change * dd/mm/yyyy
       Your child's new name
       2. First name *
       3. Middle name(s)
       4. Family name * If your change of name was registered without a family name, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your child's replacement change of name certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need your child's replacement change of name certificate within 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   13. Child's marriage or civil partnership certificate details
       The marriage or civil partnership must already be registered in Queensland.
       
       Check to see if you need to submit additional supporting eligibility documents for us to send you this certificate.
       1. Place of marriage or civil partnership

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of marriage or civil partnership * dd/mm/yyyy
          4. Partner 1's name First name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 1 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
          7. Partner 2's name First name *
          8. Middle name(s)
          9. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 2 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your child's marriage or civil partnership certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need your child's marriage or civil partnership certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   14. Child's death certificate details
       Your child's death must already be registered in Queensland.
       1. Place of death

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of death * dd/mm/yyyy
          Your child's name
          4. First name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * If your child didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for your child's death certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need your child's death certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   15. Birth certificate details
       This birth must already be registered in Queensland. These are the details as shown on the birth certificate you are applying for.
       
       Check what additional supporting eligibility documents you must submit for us to send you this certificate.
       1. Place of birth or adoption

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of birth * dd/mm/yyyy
          4. Person's name registered at birthFirst name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * If the birth was registered without a family name and only shows the name above, enter n/a.
       2. Person's mother's details
       3. These are the mother's details as shown on the birth certificate.
       4. 1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name at birth *This is your mother's family name at the time of her birth. If your mother didn't have a family name at birth, enter n/a.
          Person's father or registered parent's details

          These are your father or parent's details as shown on the birth certificate.

          1. First name *
          2. Middle name(s)
          3. Family name * If your father or parent doesn't have a family name and only uses the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate
       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for this person's birth certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
       Tell us why you need this person's person's birth certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   16. Change of name certificate details
       The change of name must be registered in Queensland.
       
       Check what additional supporting eligibility documents you must submit for us to send you this certificate.
       1. Date of name change * dd/mm/yyyy
       Person's new name
       2. First name *
       3. Middle name(s)
       4. Family name * If the change of name was registered without a family name, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for this person's change of name certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need this person's change of name certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   17. Marriage or civil partnership certificate details
       This marriage or civil partnership must already be registered in Queensland.
       
       Check what additional supporting eligibility documents you must submit for us to send you this certificate.
       1. Place of marriage or civil partnership

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of marriage or civil partnership * dd/mm/yyyy
          4. Partner 1's name First name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 1 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
          7. Partner 2's name First name *
          8. Middle name(s)
          9. Family name * This is the family name before marriage or civil partnership. If partner 2 didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for this person's marriage or civil partnership certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need this person's marriage or civil partnership certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.
   18. Death certificate details
       This person's death must already be registered in Queensland.
       1. Place of death

          1. Town or city *
          2. State QLD
          3. Date of death * dd/mm/yyyy
          Peron's name
          4. First name *
          5. Middle name(s)
          6. Family name * If the deceased didn't have a family name and only used the name above, enter n/a.
       Reason you need this certificate

       Tell us why you can't pay the fee for this person's death certificate. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

       Tell us why you need this person's death certificate within the next 28 days. You must provide supporting documents.* View what evidence you must provide.

   19. When I submit my application:

       I will attach documents that show both evidence of my situation of financial hardship and immediate need for this certificate, as well as proof of ID and additional supporting documents (as required).

   You are not eligible

   We can't send you a certificate unless you have authority. Check the certificate access policy.

   You are not eligible

   We can't send you a fee-waived certificate unless you can show financial hardship. Check the fee waiver policy.

   Order and pay for a certificate online.

   You are not eligible

   We can't send you a fee-waived certificate unless you can show an immediate need for it. Check the fee waiver policy.

   Order and pay for a certificate online.

   You are not eligible

   We can't send you a fee-waived certificate until you can prove your identity. You can contact us if you need more information about this.
   

   Online: our general enquiry form.

   By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

   International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)

   (Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)

   *Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

   21. Privacy notice
       The Department of Justice and Attorney-General is collecting your personal information for the purpose of processing your application for a fee-waived certificate under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2003. We will only use your information for this purpose, or as authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled according to the Information Privacy Act 2009. Your information may be shared with law enforcement and government agencies, verified with government and non-government agencies for fraud prevention. Access to a certificate or information may be granted to any person who has adequate reason to obtain it and meets the requirements of the access policy.

   Last updated:

   8 February 2024

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