How long will it take to get my certificate?
When you apply for a certificate or registration, we email you details of documents you need to provide. Our processing times start when we receive all required documents.
If you didn’t receive an email after applying, contact us.
| Type of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Certificate | Up to 14 days (2 weeks) |
| Birth registration and certificate for newborns | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
| Death registration and certificate in the last 3 months | Up to 7 days (1 week) |
| Marriage registration and certificate for newlyweds | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
| Relationship registration and certificate* | Up to 35 days (5 weeks) |
| Change of name registration and certificate | Up to 42 days (6 weeks) |
| Change of record of sex and certificate | Up to 42 days (6 weeks) |
| Correction to a certificate | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
| Commemorative birth certificate | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
Allow extra time for:
- Public holidays
- Postage:
- 6 working days for registered or standard post
- 2 working day for most express post
If you order legal and commemorative certificates together, we post them separately.
*The law requires a 28-day cooling off period when registering a domestic relationship. We can’t register the relationship until 28 calendar days have passed.
Common causes of delays
The most common delay happens when identity documents aren't certified by an authorised person(opens in a new window).
We can only accept copies of identity documents that have been certified by authorised people.
This helps ensure we keep the personal information of Victorians accurate and secure. We only release it to those with a genuine right to receive it.
Late or missing certificates
When you make an application, we email you details of documents you need to provide.
We can’t complete your application until you have provided the documents we need.
Have the turnaround times passed?
Our certificate turnaround times start once you have submitted all required documents.
We’ll email you when we finish processing your order.
If it hasn't arrived after two months, report a late or missing certificate.
Have we emailed you to say we’ve sent the certificate?
Commemorative certificates
We send commemorative certificates separately from legal certificates. They take longer to arrive.
If you ordered a commemorative certificate, please allow 4 weeks after we email you to say we’ve sent the certificate.
If you haven’t received the certificate by then, follow the instructions above to email us. Mention that you’re missing your commemorative certificate.
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