Applying for a birth certificate

You can apply for a Queensland birth certificate if you or the person you are applying for were born or adopted (and registered) in Queensland.

An official birth certificate is needed when applying to schools and for other services.

You must register the birth of your child before you can get a birth certificate. We don't automatically send a certificate when a birth is registered. You need to buy one.

Certificate options

There are 2 types of birth certificates and you must choose if sex is shown (or not) when applying:

  • official birth certificate—can be used for identification purposes (showing sex is recommended)
  • commemorative birth certificate package includes an official birth certificate. When you choose if sex is shown (or not) both certificates will show the same choice.

If you were born or adopted outside of Queensland, contact the interstate or overseas registering authority to get your certificate.

How to apply

  1. Answer the questions—it should take you less than 10 minutes.
  2. Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
  3. Review your details.
  4. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
  5. Have your proof of ID documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
  6. Submit your proof of ID by post or in person—if you paid online or not.
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    Post your completed application form along with the printed order receipt (if you paid online), your certified proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed) to:

    Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
    PO Box 15188
    CITY EAST  QLD  4002

    We will begin to process your application when we receive your documents.

    At the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane, you will need to use our self-serve kiosk.

    If you ordered and paid online bring your order receipt number. You will also need to show your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).

    If you live outside the Brisbane city area, bring your order receipt number (if you paid online) or a completed application form with your proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed) to any of the following locations:

    When you buy a birth certificate online, you can show your proof of ID in person by visiting a participating JPs in the Community location:

    Bring your printed order receipt (if you paid online), your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).

    Processing times are the same and start when you have had your ID verified.

    Our processing times apply to correctly filled out applications that have been submitted with all the required proof of ID and supporting documents (as required).

    They apply once we receive applications submitted by post or in person at a Queensland Magistrates Court, QGAP office or JPs in the Community (if ordered online).

    Priority Number of business days

    Non-urgent certificate applications (average processing time—no additional fee)

    10
    Urgent certificate applications ($32.20) 2

    Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver your birth certificate to your address.

    When ordering a certificate, the total cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online.
    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

    ItemCost

    Commemorative birth certificate package—with sex shown (1 official birth certificate with sex shown and standard postage included)

    $70.70

    Commemorative birth certificate package—without sex shown (1 official birth certificate without sex shown and standard postage included)

    $70.70
    Official birth certificate—with sex shown (standard postage included) $54.40
    Official birth certificate—without sex shown (standard postage included) $54.40
    Urgent application $32.20

    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.

    ItemCost
    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 certificate, you may be able to have your application fee waived.

    Learn more in our fee waiver policy and complete a request for a fee waived certificate.

    We make sure your certificates leave our office in good condition.

    After it’s collected from our office, we do not have control over or responsibility for any damage done to a certificate in the post.

    You can lodge a claim for compensation through Australia Post. We are unable to provide a replacement certificate free of charge.

    The fee you pay is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.

    You will lose the fee paid if we refuse your application or you cancel it after we have started to review it.

    Please read our refund policy.

    Contact us

    Online: our general enquiry form.

    By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

    *Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

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