Supporting documents for certificate applications
When you apply for some else’s certificate, you may need to provide supporting documents as well as your proof of identity documents.
The options below show people who commonly apply for someone else's certificate. You can find information about who else can apply in our certificate access policy.
Birth certificate
Registered parent
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
Guardian or primary carer
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Proof of parental care of the child by either:
- a family law order
- child protection order
- a will showing you have legal parental responsibility
- Government recognition of a primary care relationship (shared Medicare or Centrelink registration)
- Community proof of your relationship:
- letters from school
- letters from service providers
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- letter of administration
- order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
- A signed letter on company letterhead clearly stating the reason for access including:
- details of the identity of your client
- the legal matter your client is involved in
- why the certificate is required
- A certified copy of your practising certificate or law society card
Delivery agents acting for a solicitor must also provide:
- a letter of authority on company letterhead naming the agent and confirming they act on the solicitor's behalf
- evidence of the agent's identity, such as a driver licence passport or employee identification card
Death certificate
Relatives include spouse, parent, sibling or child:
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- If the applicant is not listed on the certificate, provide evidence establishing the relationship to the registered person
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements.
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- letter of administration
- order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
- A signed letter on company letterhead clearly stating the reason for access including:
- details of the identity of your client
- the legal matter your client is involved in
- why the certificate is required
- A certified copy of your practising certificate or law society card
Delivery agents acting for a solicitor must also provide:
- a letter of authority on company letterhead naming the agent and confirming they act on the solicitor's behalf
- evidence of the agent's identity, such as a driver licence passport or employee identification card
Marriage certificate
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- The registered person's:
- written authority
- proof of identity as per proof of identity requirements
- An explanation for why written authority from a registered person cannot be obtained
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
Where registered persons are both deceased:
- proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- proof that the registered persons are deceased
- written reason for your request and intention of use
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements.
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- letter of administration
- order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
- A signed letter on company letterhead clearly stating the reason for access including:
- details of the identity of your client
- the legal matter your client is involved in
- why the certificate is required
- A certified copy of your practising certificate or law society card
Delivery agents acting for a solicitor must also provide:
- a letter of authority on company letterhead naming the agent and confirming they act on the solicitor's behalf
- evidence of the agent's identity, such as a driver licence passport or employee identification card
Civil partnership certificate
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- The registered person's:
- written authority
- proof of identity as per proof of identity requirements
- An explanation for why written authority from a registered person cannot be obtained
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
Where registered persons are both deceased:
- proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- proof that the registered persons are deceased
- written reason for your request and intention of use
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- Letter of administration
- Order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
- A signed letter on company letterhead clearly stating the reason for access including:
- details of the identity of your client
- the legal matter your client is involved in
- why the certificate is required
- A certified copy of your practising certificate or law society card
Delivery agents acting for a solicitor must also provide:
- a letter of authority on company letterhead naming the agent and confirming they act on the solicitor's behalf
- evidence of the agent's identity, such as a driver licence passport or employee identification card
Change of name certificate
Parent or guardian who applied for a name change or a child
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
Primary carer or guardian of a child whose name was changed
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Documents demonstrating the primary care relationship:
- legal guardianship or parental responsibility orders or
- state or federal government acknowledgement of a primary care relationship (e.g. shared Medicare or Centrelink registration) or
- statements or reports that show the primary care relationship is recognised in the community, such as school letters or letters from service provides (these may be required to supplement government acknowledgement of a care relationship)
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- letter of administration
- order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
- A signed letter on company letterhead clearly stating the reason for access including:
- details of the identity of your client
- the legal matter your client is involved in
- why the certificate is required
- A certified copy of your practising certificate or law society card
Delivery agents acting for a solicitor must also provide:
- a letter of authority on company letterhead naming the agent and confirming they act on the solicitor's behalf
- evidence of the agent's identity, such as a driver licence passport or employee identification card
Previous record of sex changes
This record cannot be accessed after the registered person turns 18.
Parent or person with legal parental responsibility for the registered person:
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements.
- Documents demonstrating parental responsibility (e.g. birth certificate or court order)
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
If the register person is 16 or 17 years old, also include:
- Written consent from the registered person agreeing to the release of previous registered sex information to the applicant
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Birth certificate (to show relationship with registered person)
- The reason for access must be stated (e.g. details about the legal process where information about the parent's previous sex are needed)
- Proof of identity as per the proof of identity requirements
- Evidence of executor or administrator status either:
- letter of administration
- order granting probate
- Written reason for your request and intention of use
This applies to services in
Managed by: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages