Processing times

Find out when your request to Births Deaths & Marriages will be completed.

Last updated: 01 July 2024

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Incomplete applications

These processing times apply to complete applications. If your application is missing required information, proof of identification, or the application fee, we cannot begin processing until this is received. We will let you know if we require further information to process your application.

Birth certificates: newborn babies

If you apply for a birth certificate when you register the birth, the time it takes for us to process it depends on how you apply.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Standard birth certificate ordered when birth is registered	Standard service
Online application	up to 2 weeks
Submitted by post	up to 4 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks

Birth certificates

Processing of a birth certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Standard birth certificate	Standard service	Priority service
Online application	up to 3 weeks	up to 1 week
Submitted by post	up to 4 weeks	up to 2 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks	up to 2 weeks

Commemorative birth certificate	Standard service	Priority service
Online application	up to 5 weeks	Not available
Submitted by post	up to 6 weeks	Not available
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 5 weeks	Not available

Marriage certificates

Processing of a marriage certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

If your celebrant registers your marriage online, this can reduce the processing time.
Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Standard marriage certificate	Standard service	Priority service
Certificate for newlyweds (celebrants have 14 days to lodge)	up to 4 weeks	Not available
Online application	up to 3 weeks	up to 1 week
Submitted by post	up to 4 weeks	up to 2 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks	up to 2 weeks

Commemorative marriage certificate	Standard service	Priority service
Online application	up to 5 weeks	Not available
Submitted by post	up to 6 weeks	Not available
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 5 weeks	Not available

Single status certificates

Processing of your single status certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Request for a Single Status certificate	Standard service	Priority service
Submitted by post	up to 4 weeks	up to 2 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks	up to 2 weeks

Family history certificates

Family history certificates are delivered by standard post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.

Times shown are estimated and may vary slightly.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with International post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Family history certificate	Standard service
Online application: email delivery	up to 2 weeks
Online application: postal delivery	up to 2 weeks
Submitted by post	up to 6 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 4 weeks
Church Register records (Volume records)	up to 3 weeks

Death certificates

Processing of a death certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
When a correction is requested, changes are made to the certificate and to the original registration.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Certificate request	Standard service	Priority service
Death within the last 2 months	up to 2 weeks	Not available
Correction to a certificate	up to 3 weeks	Not available
Online application	up to 3 weeks	up to 1 week
Submitted by post	up to 4 weeks	up to 2 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks	up to 2 weeks

Registered relationship

Processing of your relationship registration begins when we have received your completed and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Application	Standard service	Priority service
Relationship registration certificate (includes 28 day cooling off period): online application (please allow an additional two weeks for delivery of commemorative certificates)	up to 6 weeks	Not available
Relationship registration certificate (includes 28 day cooling off period): paper application (please allow an additional two weeks for delivery of commemorative certificates)	up to 7 weeks	Not available
Revoke a registered relationship (includes 90 day cooling off period)	up to 13 weeks	Not available

Change of name

Processing of your change of name registration begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.

Registry agents (Service NSW)

Replace certificates after a change of name

Processing of your replacement change of name certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Certificate request	Standard service	Priority service
Online application	up to 3 weeks	up to 1 weeks
By post	up to 4 weeks	up to 1 week
Registry agents (Service NSW)	up to 3 weeks	up to 1 week

Change of sex

Processing a change of sex (PDF 1.01MB) registration or recognised details certificate begins when we receive a complete and correct application. The processing time is up to 3 weeks.

Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.

Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.

Certificate request	Standard service
By post	up to 6 weeks
Registry agents (Service NSW)	up to 6 weeks