Get a birth certificate

Your birth certificate is an important personal document. It's proof of identity for many purposes, such as claiming government benefits, enrolling in school and applying for a passport or driver licence.

Before you can get a birth certificate, the birth needs to be registered in Victoria. See Register a birth.

When ordering a certificate you will need to prove your identity.

Read our information for young people on getting a birth certificate.

Get an overview of the steps for getting a birth certificate.

1. Read this page - it contains information you need to know. 2. Select 'Apply now and fill in your details. 3. Prove your identity. 4. Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY. 5. Check your email. We will email you if there are any issues or once we've posted your certificate.

Apply now (External link)

What we need from you

We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:

1. Details of the person named on the certificate

At minimum, you'll be asked for:

Given name
Family name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Name and date of birth of the mother
Name and date of birth of the second parent (if applicable).

2. Proof of your identity

You may be able to prove your identity online. If not, you can still prove your identity by mailing certified copies to us.

Acceptable documents

One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your Passport.

Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.

3. Proof that you're eligible to get the certificate

If you're applying for your own certificate, you only need to provide proof of your identity.

If you're applying for someone else's certificate, you also need to prove that you're authorised to do so. See Get someone else's birth certificate.

Carers of children under a Children’s Court order: Find out how to get the birth certificate of a child protection client.

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take?

Check our certificate turnaround times.

If it's urgent, apply online then contact us.

Delivery of multiple certificates

We send legal certificates by express post, for security.

For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.

Fees and payment

The fees are non-refundable except as set out on our Refunds page.

Certificate fees

Types of certificates and prices
Type of certificate	Purpose	Price
Legal certificate	Accepted as an official Australian birth certificate.	$55.80
Certificate package for newborns only (Legal with Commemorative)	Order a legal certificate and commemorative certificates together. A commemorative certificate is not accepted as an official Australian birth certificate. It is for decorative purposes only.	From $90.70

Postage fees are additional.

Postage fees

Postage within Australia

Postage methods and prices, within Australia
Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.20

Postage outside Australia

Postage methods and prices, outside Australia
Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$55.50

See Australia Post (External link) for product details

Check the Payment methods we accept

Commemorative designs

Commemorative birth certificates are decorative mementos of the birth of your child. Unlike standard birth certificates, they're not a legal document and can't be used for official purposes.

Our commemorative birth certificates have been designed by local artists to celebrate your child's birth in a unique and lasting way. Each certificate is printed on archival quality paper and fits a standard frame size of 280mm x 355mm (11" x 14").

You can apply for a commemorative birth certificate when you order a legal birth certificate or when you register the birth. Choose from the following designs when you apply:

AFL commemorative birth certificates

For a born footy fan, celebrate the birth of a child with our official AFL commemorative certificates.

Learn more about our AFL commemorative birth certificates

Chinese zodiac commemorative birth certificates

Celebrate the birth of children with a Chinese zodiac commemorative birth certificate. There are twelve designs, representing each year of the Chinese zodiac.

The certificates combine Chinese design elements with Australian flora, fauna and landscape. The certificates feature endearing cartoons of baby animals, connecting the designs with the birth theme.

Learn more about our Chinese zodiac commemorative birth certificates

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage commemorative certificate

Victorian Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate

The Victorian Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate brings together artwork by three of Victoria's leading Indigenous female artists, Vicki Couzens, Lee Durroch and Treahna Hamm. Each artist depicts an element of birth in a way that recognises and celebrates Victoria's Aboriginal heritage.

This certificate cannot be used as confirmation of Aboriginality.

Learn more about our Victorian Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate

Australian Blue commemorative certificate

Australian Blue commemorative birth certificate

The Australian Blue commemorative birth certificate incorporates beautiful calligraphy and Australian imagery of gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves. It's printed in soft, harmonious shades and highlighted with gold. This style is also available in pink.

Australian Pink commemorative certificate

Australian Pink commemorative birth certificate

The Australian Pink commemorative birth certificate incorporates beautiful calligraphy and Australian imagery of gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves. It's printed in soft, harmonious shades and highlighted with gold. This style is also available in blue.

Victorian Birds commemorative certificate

Victorian Birds commemorative birth certificate

The Victorian Birds commemorative birth certificate has been superbly painted by award-winning artist Lynne Tracey, in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th Century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian birds with a description. This style also comes in fauna.

Victorian Fauna commemorative certificate

Victorian Fauna commemorative birth certificate

The Victorian Fauna commemorative birth certificate has been superbly painted by award-winning artist Lynne Tracey in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th Century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian animals and is accompanied by a description of each animal on the certificate. This style also comes in birds.

Victorian Flora commemorative certificate

Victorian Flora commemorative birth certificate

The Victorian Flora commemorative birth certificate has been superbly painted by award-winning artist Lynne Tracey in the style of an illuminated address of the 19th Century. It features exquisitely detailed Victorian flora and is accompanied by a description of the flora.

Rainbow commemorative birth certificate

BDM commissioned the rainbow commemorative birth certificate to:

Celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and gender-diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) Victorians
Promote equality
Reinforce our commitment to the inclusion of all communities.

Learn more about our rainbow commemorative birth certificate