Register a birth after 60 days

Introduction

All births in NSW should be registered within 60 days of the child being born. If more than 60 days have passed, this is called a 'late registration'.

A late registration may require more proof of the child's identification and can result in the application taking longer to process.

Parents can register the child online if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Note: If you are not the parent and need to register the birth, please call 13 77 88 for assistance.

Eligibility

You're not eligible to register online if:

• you're not the parent of the child (call 13 77 88 for assistance)
• the birth was at home without a doctor or midwife present, and you didn't go to hospital or seek medical attention within 24 hours of the birth. In this instance, in addition to the 3 forms of identification for each parent, you'll need a Section 44 Notice:
  • obtainable from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on 13 77 88
  • completed by 2 independent witnesses who saw the birth (not the parents of the child), or 2 people that can confirm the particulars of the birth. 

What you need

• 3 forms of identification for each parent to be listed on the birth registration
• If proof of your child's identity is required, you'll be asked to provide one of the following during the registration process:
  • Medicare card
  • pre-school or school report
  • school ID card
  •  a letter from a preschool or day-care centre showing full name and date of birth
  • medical certificate from your family doctor showing full name and date of birth
  • Health Insurance Commission Immunisation Certificate (printed not written), or
  • Centrelink letter showing the child's full name
  • Australian Private Medical Insurance Card (for non-permanent residents)
  • a Certificate of Aboriginality (or letter from Land Council, Aboriginal Corp with common seal)
  • a court order stating who has "Parental Responsibility" for the child.

ID documents need to be saved on your computer as JPEG, PDF or TIFF files, and each file must be less than 20MB in size.

How to register

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Select the 'Register online' button.
3. Complete the online form.
4. Upload the required documentation.

If you cannot register the birth online call 13 77 88 for further advice.

More information

• there's no fee for registering a birth
• photocopies of ID are only accepted if certified by a:
  • Justice of the Peace
  • notary public
  • legal practitioner (holding a current practising certificate)
  • a person authorised to administer an oath under section 26 of the Oaths Act, 1900.
• The Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages keeps a permanent record of the registration so parents or children can obtain a birth certificate at any time.