Letter of verification

What is a letter of verification?

In limited circumstances, we may issue a letter of verification to confirm information held in our registers, in accordance with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996.

The letter verifies information held on the register for life events registered in Victoria. BDM may issue this letter where the applicant can’t show eligibility for the legal certificate.

The applicant must provide a legitimate need for the information and use. 

When are they used?

To receive a letter of verification, you must have a right to access the information. 

You will be asked to prove your identity and provide the reason for your request.

If you have a right to access to this information, we will conduct a search of our registers and provide the relevant information in the letter.

Common reasons for a letter of verification include to:

• Demonstrate a link between current and previous legal names, following a change of record of sex
• Confirm details about parents’ place of birth
• Confirm details of a death
• Support an application for an Australian citizenship certificate.

Is the letter an official document?

While a letter of verification is not a legal certificate, it is still an official document issued by us.

The letter of verification will be on letterhead, and will include:

• Your contact details
• A reference number
• The date we issued the letter
• The reason for the request
• The information requested, confirming it is held in our registers, and
• Contact details of the relevant team.

If you work for an organisation and have received a letter of verification, and have questions about its use and validity, please contact us at bdmdatarequests@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)