If you are applying due to a natural disaster, we recommend that you use the following process to apply for replacement certificates.
- Apply online. For example, Get a birth certificate.
- In the payment option, select BPay. This will allow you to submit your application without paying
- Make note of your login details. You can only access your application by logging in to the account you used to apply.
- ‘Guest’: Most people apply as a ‘guest’. A guest account is one where you don’t set up user details or a password.
When you apply for a certificate, we ask for your email address. After applying as a guest, we’ll email you with the subject line “Your BDM guest account”.
To log back into your guest account, you must follow the instructions in that email.
Don’t change the code generated in the ‘email address’ field.
Use the temporary password provided in the email
- Registered user account: Some people apply using a registered user account. A user account is one where you choose ‘Create an account’, then fill in details about yourself and set up a password. For your application to be attached to your user account, you need to have logged into your user account when applying. To log back into your user account, go to ‘My items (External link)’ and use your existing login details.
- ‘Guest’: Most people apply as a ‘guest’. A guest account is one where you don’t set up user details or a password.
- Once you’ve submitted your application, upload supporting documents as follows:
- Log in to your account
- Click ‘Upload supporting documents’
- Choose a ‘Requirement type’ and ‘Document name’ from the dropdown lists
- Click ‘Browse’ to find the document(s)
- Select the document(s). You must attach:
- Proof of identity, and one of the following:
- A letter on official letterhead from a body coordinating the response to the natural disaster, or
- A statutory declaration stating that you have experienced financial loss due to a natural disaster, providing details (e.g. flood or bushfire) where you live.
- Click ‘Attach all’ to save them.
- Email your order number to bdmdisastersupport@justice.vic.gov.au (External link).
Learn more about what happens after you apply for a fee waiver.
If you don’t have identity documents
If you don’t have the required proof of identity, please provide certified copies of whatever identity documents you can provide. These documents must show your name. We will then assess what you have provided. We may contact you to discuss your application.