BDM’s certificates, such as birth certificates, are important legal documents. Certificates are not printed on plain white paper. They are printed on ‘security paper’, in a similar way to bank notes.
New security paper introduced in 2021
From 2 August 2021, all Births, Deaths and Marriages registries in Australia use new security paper(opens in a new window).
Certificates printed on previous security paper are still valid (unless cancelled or void for other reasons).
New design
The beautiful new paper design features eucalyptus leaves, which are found across Australia. The branches represent a family tree that grows and traces our personal history.
The importance of security
Life event certificates are a means for Australians to prove their identity. For example, a birth certificate establishes a person’s legal identity. It enables them to access vital services. People use these documents to:
- Open a bank account
- Access services
- Get a passport or driver licence
- Enrol children in school or kindergarten
- And more.
Your certificate is an important personal document. That's why when you apply for any of our services, we ask you to prove your identity.
Identity documents are valuable to identity thieves and fraudsters, who may seek to copy, forge or tamper with them. Learn more about protecting your identity.
Security features of certificate paper
Security paper includes features to keep these important identity documents secure. They make the certificates almost impossible to copy or tamper with. This helps protect Australians from identity crime.
The new security paper combines many high-tech features, both visible and hidden.
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