Victoria Birth Registration

Victoria Birth registration is compulsory and parents need to register their child's birth within 60 days of birth. A birth certificate can be obtained after the birth has been registered and both processes can be done at the same time. Birth registeration and certificates are handled by the Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Visit the site for further information and contacts.

To Register:

Fill out and lodge a birth registration statement with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Birth registration statements are given to parents at the hospital or by the midwife.

There is no fee required for registering a birth.

Unassisted Childbirths:

If you have an unassisted childbirth, and do not transfer to hospital at all during or after birth, you fill out the birth registration form (even the section that is required to be filled by a care provider that 'delivered' the baby), and lodge it along with a statutory declaration.

The statutory declaration has to be completed and signed by a person who was present at the birth, or has knowledge of the birth. This person needs to include in the declaration how he/she was aware of the birth taking place.

It is best if both parents fill out a statutory declaration each, as well as any witnesses that are 18 years or over, that were either present at the birth, or aware of the birth taking place.

If you see a doctor, midwife, nurse or alternative practitioner such as a naturopath or chiropractor during your pregnancy, you can get a written statement from them stating that you were indeed pregnant when they saw you.

If you see someone after you give birth, you can also ask them for a written statement, stating that they were aware of your pregnancy and that you have given birth, and include those statements with your statutory declarations and birth registration form.

To Obtain a Birth Certificate:

Fill out the birth certificate application. You can usually get them at the same time/place as the birth registration statement, plus this application is also available online in pdf format. You can get it here: Application for full certificate or extract You can also apply for a birth certificate online and mail proof of identification with your online receipt. To apply online, click the apply online link that is displayed on this page.

Commemorative birth certificates are also available, and can be purchased by filling out an application for a commemorative birth certifcate (it comes with a standard certificate too). View samples of commemorative certificates

There are fees required for obtaining birth certificates. A full certificate or extract as of January 2005 is $17.50. Commemorative certificates are $39.00 and this includes a standard full birth certificate copy as well.

Identification is also required in obtaining a birth certificate. You have to provide photocopies of 3 identification documents. You can check out the list of acceptable identification documents.