What is this application for?
You can apply to remove a parent from a birth certificate if the parent was recorded incorrectly.
We assess all corrections before making them.
Refer to Evidence required for the evidence you’ll need to provide to:
- Remove the father's name (if incorrect)
- Remove the birth parent's female partner
When we remove a parent from a child’s birth certificate, we will notify the affected parties. Refer to Notifying the parents.
If you want to add the name of a parent, visit add a parent to a birth certificate.
Who can apply?
The mother, father or child (if over 18) may apply to add the parent.
What you'll need
We'll ask you for the following.
Details of the person on the certificate
As a minimum, we ask for:
- Given name
- Family name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth.
The current legal birth certificate
We ask you to return the original certificate before we can issue a new, corrected version.
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're not sure which option is best for you.
Evidence required
The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make.
For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Learn more about translated documents.
The evidence listed below covers most common correction requests. If you can't provide the evidence listed, send the best evidence you have available.
We will let you know if we need more evidence.
Notifying the parents
When we remove a parent from a child’s birth certificate, we will notify the affected parties. This means any parent on the corrected birth certificate, and the parent removed.
Protecting your safety
When accessing BDM services, our priority is protecting you and your family’s safety. Our processes take this into account. Please tell us if you have concerns for your safety so that we can support you.
Processing times
When you apply, 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 |
|---|---|
| Correction to a certificate | Up to 28 days (4 weeks) |
Allow extra time for public holidays and postage
Certificate fees and postage
The fees are non-refundable except as set out in our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.
Application fee
Application fee: $84.60.
Certificate fees
| Whereabouts of original certificate | Price |
|---|---|
| If you return the original recognised details certificate | $0.00 |
| If you do not return the original recognised details certificate | $55.80 |
Postage fees are additional.
Postage fees
We send legal certificates by express post, for security
| Postage and handling method | Price |
|---|---|
| Express post (within Australia) | $10.20 |
| Express post (International) | $55.50 |
Payment methods
Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.
After you've submitted your application
You'll receive an email after you've submitted 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 complete your application within processing timeframes and email to let you know when we've posted your certificate.
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