Introduction
A marriage certificate is an official copy of the marriage registration held by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. It's often used to help establish a person's identity.
For a marriage that occurred in NSW, you can apply online, by post, or in person at a Service NSW Centre.
When you apply for a standard marriage certificate, you also have the option to buy a commemorative certificate to keep as a memento.
If the marriage occurred 50 or more years ago and you do not need a certificate for official use go to Order a Family History Certificate.
Eligibility
You can apply for a marriage certificate any time after your marriage has been registered. Your marriage celebrant will submit the required documents on your behalf to enable registration.
Applications for a NSW marriage certificate can be submitted if the marriage occurred in NSW, provided the applicant is one of the following:
- a person applying for their own marriage certificate
- a child of the marriage, if both individuals named in the marriage are deceased
- a marriage celebrant applying through eRegistry at the time of registering a marriage
- an authorised representative of either person.
If you do not fall into the above categories, refer to the Registry's Access to information policy.
What you need
To apply, you must provide:
- details of the marriage and each spouse
- personal and contact information
- proof of identity documents
- the payment.
Extra documents you may need
If you are a spouse or a child of a deceased married couple, you must provide 3 forms of personal identity documents and a copy of a death certificate.
If you are an authorised representative, you must provide:
- a Letter of Authority giving permission to apply and at least 3 forms of identification from either spouse, and your own identification, or
- a Power of Attorney or Guardianship Orders relating to either spouse.
If you are a solicitor applying for a certificate on behalf of your client, you must provide:
- a letter on company letterhead that shows the address of your law firm, stating:
- the reason the certificate is required ('legal' is not sufficient – a specific reason is needed, such as Probate, Estate Administration, immigration)
- the name of the person you are acting for, and in what capacity
- the link between your client and the person whose name appears on the marriage certificate
- a copy of your identification card issued by the Law Society or practising certificate.
How to apply
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Select the 'Apply online' button.
- Follow the prompts to apply.
If you begin filling in the online application form and want to save it to complete later you can resume your application.
If you do not want to apply online:
- Download and complete the Marriage Certificate Application – PDF.
- Prepare your supporting documents.
- Lodge your application, documents and payment:
- by post to the address on the form or
- in person at a service centre.
What happens next
- You can check the status of your application online.
- A tax invoice will be sent to the email address you provided.
- When the Registry receives your complete and correct application, the processing time starts. It excludes delivery time.
- Certificates are sent to you by the Registry, using registered post. You can ask for the certificate to be sent to a government agency. You cannot get a certificate from a service centre.
Privacy and personal information
This information is being collected by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages for the purpose of assessing your application for a marriage certificate.
Service NSW does not collect or maintain any personal information in relation to this transaction.
For further information on how your privacy is protected read the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages privacy collection notice.
More information
Cancelling your order
If you change your mind, or decide the certificate is no longer required, your application fee will not be refunded.
Caring for your certificate
We suggest you do not laminate your certificate. Where possible, identity documents should be kept in their original state.