You may need a copy of your Birth Certificate for identification purposes – if you were born in Tasmania, you can obtain a copy of your certificate from Service Tasmania or from the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you were born in another state or territory of Australia, you can check with the website of the Registry in that state.

When a child is born the birth must be registered. Parents usually receive a Birth Registration Statement from the Hospital or Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The birth must be registered within 60 days.  Registration is free, but obtaining a copy of the document may have a cost.

Where possible, both parents need to sign the Birth Registration Statement. The signatures need to be witnessed by a person over 18 years of age.

If only one parent has signed, they need to attach a letter to the Registrar explaining why the other parent has not signed. The letter should contain details of the other parent’s identity and last known address. A parent will not be added to the Birth Certificate unless they agree to sign it.

A father’s details can be added to a Birth Certificate at a later date. Marriage details can also be added to a child’s Birth Certificate, an application form is available from the Registry.

In Tasmania, two women in a significant relationship who have had a child together using a sperm donor are both able to be registered as parents on a birth certificate.