Add the father to your child's birth registration
Generally, the parents of children born in Queensland register their child’s birth together—so the birth certificate will show both the mother and father’s details.
However, if only the mother’s details are shown, you can apply to add your child’s father’s details at any time.
When you apply to add your child’s father to their birth registration and certificate:
- your names will be recorded on your child’s birth certificate as ‘mother’ and ‘father'
- your child’s surname will stay the same as registered and as shown on their birth certificate—see changing your child’s name before they turn 18 to change their surname
- you will need to return the old certificate to us for a replacement, if you have one.
Applications to change or add a father are assessed individually and, in certain circumstances, we may require a parentage order from a supreme court.
We will not post a replacement certificate unless you return a certificate or buy a new one.
If your child was born before 1 June 2010 and you would like to add a same-sex female parent, contact us.
Fill in the add the father to your child's birth registration form
How to apply
To add your child’s father, you need to:
- Complete, download and print the application form signed by both parents.
- Have your supporting documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Attach certified proof of ID documents for each parent.
- Attach additional supporting documents, if required.
- Have another adult (18 or older) witness your signatures on the declaration section.
- Pay the fee
- Submit your application form, the certified documents, your payment and the birth certificate you want amended (if available, for free replacement) to us by post or in person.
Submit by post
Post your completed application form along with your certified documents and payment to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Submit in person
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane with your completed application form and your original proof of ID and supporting documents.
Pay the fee
You will need to work out the total cost of your order and make sure you pay the correct amount. You can pay:
- at the customer service centre
- by EFTPOS or credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- through the mail
- within Australia
- by credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- from overseas
- by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Add the father after registration of birth (return birth certificate for free replacement) | $21.90 |
| Official birth certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $7.45 |
| Registered post | $5.55 |
| International registered mail | $17.70 |
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Fill in the add the father to your child's birth registration form
Contact us
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.