If there's an error on your marriage certificate, you can apply to have it corrected.
We assess all corrections before making them.
Generally, you can only apply to correct your own marriage certificate.
Children can be eligible to correct the marriage certificate of their deceased parents.
To correct someone else's marriage certificate, check BDM's Access Policy first. It sets out who can access another person's certificate.
We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:
As a minimum, for each person, we ask for:
We ask you to return the original certificate before we can issue a new, corrected version.
Post the original certificate to our mailing address. Please include your order number.
Once we’ve corrected the record, we’ll send you a new certificate free of charge.
You’ll need to provide a Statutory Declaration (External link) explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.
Once we've corrected the record, you'll need to apply for a new marriage certificate. There is a fee for the new certificate.
We recommend that you don’t order a new certificate until we’ve corrected the record.
The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make. Check the 'Evidence required' tab.
For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Learn more about translated documents.
One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your passport.
Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.
The evidence listed below covers the most common correction requests. If you can't provide the evidence listed, send the best evidence you have available.
If we hold the evidence (e.g. a birth certificate) you don't need to provide a copy of it.
| Correction | Acceptable evidence |
|---|---|
|
Any name on the certificate |
Provide evidence of correct name:
|
| Date or place of birth |
Evidence of correct date or place of birth:
|
Check our certificate turnaround times.
If it's urgent, apply online then contact us.
The fees are non-refundable except as set out in our Refunds page.
| Whereabouts of original certificate | Comments | Price |
|---|---|---|
| If you return the original marriage certificate |
No fee for certificate (There may be a postage and handling fee for the new certificate. Check Postage, below) |
$0.00 |
| If you do not return the original marriage certificate | The price of a legal marriage certificate applies | $52.30 |
Postage fees are additional.
We can’t refund postage fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.
| Type of certificate | Postage and handling method | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Legal certificate | Express post | $10.00 |
| Type of certificate | Postage and handling method | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Legal certificate | International express | $54.10 |
See Australia Post (External link) for product details.
Check the Payment methods (External link) we accept.