What is this application for?
A single status certificate proves that the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) holds no record of current marriage in Victoria.
You can use a single status certificate as proof that you are not already married. You may need this proof if you want to marry overseas.
What you'll need
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 of the mother
- Name of the second parent (if applicable)
- Reason for application.
If you've been previously married and are divorced or widowed, we'll also ask for a certified copy of:
- Your divorce certificate; or
- Your spouse's death certificate.
If your spouse passed away in Victoria, you don't need to provide a copy of the death certificate.
Proof of identity
You can prove your identity two ways.
The easiest way to prove your identity is online.
You can use this proof of identity questionnaire if you are not sure which option is best for you.
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 provide:
- Third-party authority form or letter from the person on the certificate authorising you to access their record. This includes the authorising person’s:
- Address
- Daytime telephone number
- Signature.
- Proof of identity of the authorising person.
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) |
Allow extra time for public holidays and postage.
Types of certificates
Legal certificates
A single status certificate proves that the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) holds no record of current marriage in Victoria.
Certificate fees and postage
The fees are non-refundable except as set out on our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.
Certificate fees
| Type of certificate | Price |
|---|---|
| Legal certificate | $55.80 |
Postage
We send legal certificates by express post, for security.
| Postage type | Price |
|---|---|
| Express post (within Australia) | $10.20 |
| Express post (International) | $55.50 |
Payment methods
Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.
After your application is submitted
You‘ll receive an email after submitting your application.
If you didn’t receive an email after applying, first check your spam inbox. If you still don’t have the email, read about common causes of delay.
Once we have everything we need, we’ll complete your application within processing timeframes. We’ll email to let you know when we’ve posted your certificate.
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