After adjusting my dates I thought I was due around the 5th July 2004. The gov. introduced the baby bonus of $3000 to those born from July onwards. I had already planned to UC before I knew this but I became scared that the hospital or gov. would think I chose to UC in order to change my dates to get the baby bonus. I also didn't want to take my newborn to hospital straight after they were born as I didn't want to deal with them insisting on unnecessary tests and there was no reason to go. I wondered if I would be able to claim the bonus so I realised by choosing to UC could be in effect costing me $3000.

On the 1st of July I went for one last check up with the Dr. just so I could have JULY stamped on my antenatal card, I gave birth at home on the 4th July.

I rang births deaths and marriages and was told that I would have to sign a statutory declaration and fill out a form.

When I received the form and letter it said I had to get a letter from my Dr. stating he had seen me pregnant and fill out the form.

I went to my Dr. (who was shocked and a bit annoyed) and got the letter and sent off the form.

I then was told I needed two people over 18 other than my husband and myself who witnessed the birth to sign stat. dec's. If there were no witnesses I had to send a letter stating such (it could not be faxed but must be original)

I sent the letter.

I was told that perhaps I could breastfeed the baby in front of the Dr. and get him to write a letter stating such to prove I was the mother. I asked for this to be put in writing but it was never sent.

I was told I needed to get a letter from the Dr. stating that he had examined the baby. And then the application would be processed. I replied "the reason the original letter only stated that the Dr. had examined me on the 1st July and estimated I was 39 weeks pregnant is because the Dr. can only write what he sees! My Dr. won't write you a letter saying he has examined my baby because how will he know if it's my baby or not - even if I breastfeed in front of him it is still not proof it is my child" she agreed "yes and you may bottle-fed anyway"

I received a letter stating that if I sent stat dec’s from both myself and my husband the application would be considered to see if there was sufficient information to register the birth. I was told the stat dec’s would be prepared by BDM and sent to me to sign and have witnessed.

I read this letter to someone else from BDM and they said "they have to register the birth!"

After not receiving the stat dec's I rang and was told I should write my own. I sent the stat dec’s (available free from the court house and signed by JP)

I received her birth certificate when DD was around 3 months of age.

I then claimed my $3000 bonus!!!

Tips on getting a birth certificate:

Keep a record of every phone conversation including the date time and full name of who you spoke to and also what was said.

Photo copy every document you send them (forms, Dr. Letter stat dec etc) and keep a record of the date you sent it. Ask who you should attention the letters too. Keep every letter they send you until everything is finalised and you have your birth certificate.