Customers warned about dodgy Births, Deaths and Marriages websites

Western Australians are being urged to exercise caution following reports of a commercial website offering to obtain birth, death, and marriage certificates at inflated costs.
  • Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has identified a third-party website charging
  • excessive fees for certificates
  • Authorities warn of an increased risk of identity theft as applicants provide sensitive personal information
  • Western Australians are being urged to only apply through official wa.gov.au website

Western Australians are being urged to exercise caution following reports of a commercial website offering to obtain birth, death, and marriage certificates at inflated costs.

These sites may look like official platforms, charging more than twice the standard fee to obtain these important personal documents.

The websites are potentially collecting sensitive information, including identity documents and credit cards details, and consumers may be without the protections afforded under Australian privacy laws.

Only the WA Registry can issue legal certificates in Western Australia and certificates cannot be issued by private, third parties.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to apply for birth, death, and marriage certificates directly through the official WA Government website: www.bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/

The Registry is actively monitoring reports of misleading operators and is working closely with Consumer Protection WA to ensure the public is aware of the risks.

Comments attributed to Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:

"Protecting Western Australians from identity misuse is a priority. These commercial operators may be misleading people and placing sensitive information at risk.

"Only the Registry can issue an official WA birth, death, or marriage certificate.

"Using the official wa.gov.au website is the safest and most cost-effective way to apply."

Comments attributed to Registrar Alison Jackson:

"Some of these sites are deliberately styled to look official and people can unknowingly hand over identity documents to potentially unsecured, non-government operators.

"If you are not using an official WA Government website you may be paying far more than necessary and there is no guarantee your personal information will be safe."