Identification requirements

Help us to protect your identity and reduce fraud.

Why are identification requirements needed?

Identity fraud involving the use of stolen, fictitious or altered identities to commit criminal offences is a concern for our community. The WA Registry recognises that certificates and changes of name help establish a person's identity. The Registry is committed to maintaining the security of its information by reducing the risk of certificates being wrongfully issued to people who may use them for fraudulent purposes.

Applicants are required to provide a range of commonly available identity documents before being eligible to receive certificates or register a change of name.

When providing certificate information from Registry records, the Registrar must consider the privacy of the person to whom the record relates. For example, a birth certificate is usually only available to the person named in the certificate, their parent or legal guardian. For more information, refer to the relevant Certificate Access Policy.

Age of record exceptions

In recognition of the fact that the fraudulent use of certificates reduces with the age of the record, the identification requirements for historical certificates, i.e. births that occurred 100 years ago or more, deaths that occurred 30 years ago or more and marriages that occurred 75 years ago or more will not be required.

Identification requirements

If you are applying for a certificate or a change of name or a correction, you must provide at least three forms of identification:

• ONE document from each list (1, 2 and 3).  At least one containing a photograph; or
• ONE from List 1 and TWO from List 2.  At least one containing a photograph; or
• TWO from List 2 and ONE from List 3.  At least one containing a signature.

All forms of identification produced MUST be current.

Documents from List 3 MUST show your current residential address.

Bank statements, utility accounts or rates notices MUST have been issued within the last six months.

Applying in person - original documents must be provided

Applying by post - send clear certified photocopies of your identification documents with your application.  Do not post original documents.

Certification requirements

Photocopies of identification will only be accepted if they are certified by a qualified person as being "true copies" of the original documents. Information about who can certify documents is attached to the downloadable application form below.

Applying for certificates on behalf of another person

If you are applying for a certificate on behalf of another person, you must provide the following:

• Identification for yourself;
• Identification of the person who is entitled to the document as stated in the Registry's Certificate Access policy.

AND

• A letter giving permission from the person entitled to the document. See Letter of Authority download on this page.

Last Updated: 31-Jan-2013