Correct or amend a birth, death or marriage certificate.

Find information on how to correct or amend a birth, death or marriage certificate.
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If there is an error or details missing on a birth, death or marriage certificate issued by the Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, you should contact the Registry for advice on how to correct the certificate.

If an administrative error (such as incorrect spelling) was made by the Registry, no fee is payable to correct the certificate and will be replaced, at no cost, upon return of the incorrect certificate.

If incorrect or incomplete information was supplied to the Registry at the time of registration, a formal application, supported by corroborating evidence, is required. A fee is payable and includes the issue of a replacement certificate.

Adding parentage to a birth record

The biological father can be added to your child’s record if their birth was originally registered without these details. In certain circumstances evidence of paternity may be required such as a Family Court Order or DNA results that comply with the Family Law Act 1975.

Partners from same sex relationships who consented to the Artificial Fertilisation procedure can also be added to their child’s birth record if not originally registered with these details.

These details may be added to your child’s birth record by completing the BDM101 Joint Application to Add Parentage Details in a Child’s Birth Registration and providing appropriate evidence-of-identity from both parents.

When adding these particulars to the birth registration, you have the option of registering your child's family name as:

  • either parents' surname
  • a combination of both parents' surname in any order with or without a hyphen, or
  • or any other surname provided it is not a prohibited name.

If your child was born interstate, please contact the Registry Office in the State or Territory where your child was born.

Adding marriage details to a birth record

The particulars of parent’s marriage which occurred after the birth of their child may be added by completing a BDM102 Add Marriage Details in a Child’s Birth form. 

Adding a previously unrecorded parent and marriage details to your child’s birth record can be done by completing a BDM103 Joint Application to Add Parentage and Marriage Details in a Child’s Birth Registration form. The conditions as stated for Adding Parentage to a Birth Record will be applicable for these applications.

The fee payable for adding parentage and/or marriage particulars to a birth record includes the issue of a replacement standard birth certificate and both parents must provide appropriate evidence-of-identity.

When adding these particulars to the birth registration, you have the option of registering your child's family name as:

  • either parents surname
  • a combination of both parent’s surnames in any order with or without a hyphen
  • or any other surname provided it is not a prohibited name

If your child was born interstate, please contact the Registry Office in the State or Territory where your child was born.

Gender Reassignment

The Gender Reassignment Board deal with matters relating to a person's changed gender under the Gender Reassignment Act 2000.
Recognition certificates are issued by the Gender Reassignment Board.

If you were born in Western Australia, an application to register a change of sex can be made to the Perth Registry one month after the Gender Reassignment Board has issued your Recognition Certificate.

If you were born in another State or Territory that has similar legislation, please apply to the relevant Registry Office for your birth certificate.

Who can apply to correct a certificate?

The information related to eligibility is general in nature and therefore not exhaustive.

Births

  • The person or a parent/s named on the birth certificate.
  • A legal guardian (proof of guardianship required)

Deaths

  • The next of kin named on the death certificate ie spouse (married/de-facto), parent or child (16 years of age or over) of the deceased who is named on the death certificate.
  • The funeral director
  • Solicitor acting for Next of Kin or Estate
  • Executor of the Estate.

Marriages

  • The parties named on the marriage certificate.

Forms and Fees

Forms

Fees

The fees for amending/updating a certificate:

  • $55 - Amendment/Correction (includes a replacement certificate)
  • $55 - Gender Reassignment (includes replacement certificate)

The following payment methods are accepted:

  • Credit Card - MasterCard or Visa only
  • EFTPOS Debit Card or Cash - When paying in person
  • Cheque or money order - Payable to Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. When paying at a WA court payable to the Department of Justice
  • Overseas applicants - $AUD via credit card (MasterCard or Visa only) or international money order or bank draft payable to Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Identification that you need

Applicants are required to provide at least three forms of evidence-of-identity documents before being eligible to receive certificates.

One from 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.

  • Australian Driver’s Licence
  • Australian Passport
  • Australian Firearm Licence
  • Defence Force/Police Id Card
  • Australian Citizenship Certificate (with evidence of residential status)
  • Western Australian Photo Card, Over 18 or Proof of Identity Card
  • Australian learner driver’s permit card

List 2 – Evidence of Operating in the Community

  • A financial institution Debit or Credit card
  • Document of identity issued by the Passport Office
  • Centrelink/Veterans Affairs Entitlement Card
  • Birth Certificates (birth extracts are not accepted)
  • Medicare Card
  • Naturalisation, citizenship or immigration papers issued by the Department of Home Affairs
  • Australian Security or Crowd Control Licence
  • Student Identity Document or Statement of Enrolment

List 3 – Proof of Residency

  • Drivers licence renewal notice
  • Financial institution statement less than 6 months old
  • Motor vehicle registration
  • Property Lease or Tenancy Agreement
  • Shire/Water rates notice
  • Student Report or Certificate less than 12 months old
  • Utility Account less than 6 months old

For overseas applicants, the Registry will consider overseas equivalent evidence-of-identity documents.

Where to apply

Applications can be submitted:

In person
At the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Perth

By post
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 7720
Cloisters Square
PERTH  WA  6850

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