Correct a birth certificate

Victoria has declared a State of Emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our customer service and call centres are closed until further notice.

You can still apply online for certificates and registrations. Check our certificate turnaround times for how long it will take.

We are prioritising critical certificate or registration requests. For critical needs only:

Apply online, then
Email bdmcritical@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) with your reference number and reason(s) why it is critical.

For information about COVID-19, visit the DHHS website (External link)

If there's an error on a birth certificate, you can apply to have it corrected.

Generally, you can only apply to correct your own or your child's certificate, if your child is under 18. Both parents need to apply if there are two parents listed on the child’s certificate. We assess all corrections before making them.

Refer to the 'Evidence required tab' for common changes and the evidence you’ll need to provide.

If you want to add a parent's name to a birth certificate, see Add or remove a parent on a birth certificate.

Learn more about how to digitise and upload hard copy documents.

Correction	Acceptable evidence
Add a parent's name	See Add or remove a parent on a birth certificate
Name on the certificate	Evidence that proves the correct name intended at the time of birth, such as: A baptismal certificate A maternal health book or baby health care book (dated within 12 months of birth) Any other document indicating the earliest registered name Original immunisation records. And, in addition: To correct your child's name: A statutory declaration signed by the other parent, agreeing to the correction. To correct your name (an adult): Identity documents showing consistent use of your correct name in your lifetime. If you can't prove use of the correct name from birth, you'll need to apply for a change of name rather than a correction.
Parent age or place of birth	Either a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or overseas passport of the parent.
Parent occupation	Evidence that proves the parent's occupation at the time of the birth, such as: A confirmation of employment letter from the employer Pay slips Pay records.
Parental descriptor (e.g. mother and mother; father and father)	Proof of your identity. Enter the descriptor you want in the 'Correction details' box in step 3. You must already be named on the birth certificate - if not, refer to Add or remove a parent on a birth certificate.
Parents' marriage details	Marriage certificate with the correct details.
Parents' non-registered domestic relationship (de facto relationship)	Statutory declaration (External link) signed by both parents, confirming that both are requesting the change. The corrected certificate will show the parents' relationship as 'domestic relationship'.
Previous children (names or ages)	Birth certificate(s) of the other child/children of the same parents, showing the correct details.
Remove a father incorrectly named as the biological father	One of the following: The full report from a DNA-based parentage test (paternity test) approved by National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) (External link) A court order declaring the identity of the child's biological father A court order declaring that the registered father is not the biological father.
Sex	Statutory declaration (External link) confirming: What is to be corrected Why the correction is required. Evidence that proves the correct sex, such as: Copy of change a record of sex application, confirming requested sex descriptor. Note: Correcting the sex on a birth certificate isn't the same as actually changing your record of sex. See Change a record of sex.

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Click and collect 595 Collins St, Melbourne	FREE
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.00
Commemorative certificate	Standard post	$1.00

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$54.10
Commemorative certificate	International economy	$3.80

What we need from you

1. Details of the person on the certificate

2. The original birth certificate

3. Evidence to support the correction

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable documents

Evidence required

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take?

Delivery of multiple certificates

Fees and payment

Certificate fees

Postage fees

Postage within Australia

Postage outside Australia

Services and information

Legislation, policies and practices