You may be able to apply for information about a cultural recognition order. To apply for this information you need authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa).
If you get authorisation you will receive a letter that tells you what information from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages you can apply for.
When a cultural recognition order is registered, the original birth certificate for the person is closed. We call this ‘pre-cultural recognition order’ information.
To access the pre-cultural recognition order records you need authority from the Commissioner.
The Commissioner may allow you to order one or more of the following ‘pre-cultural recognition order’ documents:
certificates
information
source documents
a copy of the cultural recognition order.
These certificates or information can’t be used for identification and are stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
When a cultural recognition order is registered, a new official birth certificate is made from the cultural recognition order information. We it called the ‘post-cultural recognition order’ information.
The new official certificate:
can be used for identification purposes
has details of the cultural parents
does not show the birth parents.
Cultural parents and the subject of the cultural recognition order do not need authorisation from the Commissioner to buy a birth certificate for proof of identity.
Birth parents need authorisation from the Commissioner to apply for post-cultural recognition order certificates or information.
Post your completed application form with your certified copy of theauthorisation from the Commissioner and supporting documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages PO Box 15188 CITY EAST QLD 4002
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane with the completed application form, your original authorisation from the Commissioner, and original proof of ID documents.
The total estimated cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online. We will email you after we have reviewed your application with the correct amount. You can pay:
online
by credit card (MasterCard or Visa)
at the customer service centre
by EFTPOS or credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
by post
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
Pre-cultural recognition order certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Photocopy of the cultural recognition order (certification and standard postage included)
$123.50
Official birth certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Search fee (under 1 name for each event)
$27.10
Each additional name searched (for each event)
$27.10
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
$8.55
Registered post
$8.10
International registered mail
$18.55
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post. This ensures your certificate's delivery 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.
Fee waiver
If you are suffering financial hardship and have an immediate need for a birth certificate, you may be able to have your application fee waived.
