Correct a birth certificate

If you believe 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. Either parent can apply.

Depending on the correction, further evidence may be required from the application.

All corrections are subject to a full assessment.

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

To remove the father's name (if incorrect)

To remove the name of the father if they've been incorrectly named as the biological father:

Complete the application to correct a birth certificate
Provide one piece of evidence from the list below that the father named on the certificate isn't the child's biological father, such as:

The full report from a DNA-based parentage test (paternity test) approved by National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) (External link), or,
A court order declaring the identity of the child's biological father, or
A court order declaring that the registered father is not the biological father.

Correction	Acceptable evidence
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. As an adult, also send forms of ID that prove the consistent use of your correct name in your lifetime. *If you can't prove the use of the corrected name from birth, a change of name* is needed, rather than a correction. Likewise, additions and removals of given names need a change of name. See Change a name.**
Parent age or place of birth	Either a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or overseas passport of the parent(s).
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.
Parents' marriage details	Marriage certificate with the correct details.
Previous children (names or ages)	Birth certificate/s with the correct details.
Add a parent's name	See Add a parent to a birth certificate.

Postage - see Australia Post (External link) for product details	Price
Australia
Registered post (recommended)	$7.60
Standard post/Handling	$1.00
Express post Note: This is not a priority service fee - standard Turnaround times still apply.	$8.00
Outside Australia
Airmail (Standard post)	$3.80
Express Courier International	$54.10