Birth Certificate Access Policy

Type of Access

Applicant

Specific requirements

Historical Access

Anyone (must be 16 years of age or over)

For births 75 years old or more

Family Access

Person named in the certificate (registered person)

Children under 16 years of age must have written consent from a parent named in the certificate

Parent

Must be named in the certificate

Non-parental custodian or guardian

Document establishing legal custody or guardianship

Child
Spouse
Brother, Sister
Grandparent
Other relative - see also 'Other Agent'

Restricted, unless the applicant can provide:
Written authority from the person or parent named in the certificate; or
Evidence that the person is deceased; or
Evidence that the certificate is required for some legal right or entitlement

Access to original information from an adoption record

Must have written authority from the Department for Community Development

Deceased Estate Matter

Executor or Administrator
Public Trustee

Application must be on business letterhead, or must show evidence of applicant's executor, administrator, trustee status

Welfare

Government or non-Government Welfare Agency

Application must be on business letterhead and must be acting in the interests of or with the written authority of the person named in the certificate

Court - State or Federal

-

Application must be on Court letterhead or Court order provided

Law Enforcement

Any Government body dealing in law enforcement e.g. Police, Anti Corruption Commission, Courts etc

Application must be on business letterhead and must be made in pursuance of an investigation or preparation of a prosecution or pursuant to a valid warrant or Court order
(Does not include debt collectors or private investigators)

Medical Access

Medical organisations or government body requiring to contact persons with a potentially life threatening medical condition

Applications must be made on business letterhead and referred to Registrar for consideration
For general medical research enquiries refer to Registrar for consideration

Government Bodies - Statutory Access

Any Government body having right of access under Federal or State legislation, eg Child Support Agency, Centrelink, Department for Community Development

Application must be on business letterhead or approved form e.g. Child Support Agency verification form

Solicitor

-

Application must be on business letterhead and Solicitor must be acting for a person entitled to access under 'Family Access' or 'Deceased Estate Matter' and subject to the same requirements

Other Agent (including Consulates)

Any person with written authority from the person named in the certificate or a person entitled to the certificate as identified in this policy document; or
Power of Attorney

Identification documents of the person named in the certificate or other person entitled to the certificate as stated under "Family Access"
Documentary evidence of Power of Attorney required