If there's an error on your marriage certificate, you can apply to have it corrected.
Generally, you can only apply to correct your own marriage certificate.
Children can be eligible to correct the marriage certificate of their deceased parents. If you are applying to correct the marriage certificate of someone else, please see the BDM Access Policy to review entitlement.
We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:
As a minimum, for each person, we ask for:
We ask that you return the original marriage certificate before we can issue a new corrected version.
If you don't have the original, you need to provide a Statutory Declaration (External link) explaining why you cannot surrender the original certificate. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.
You'll need to apply for a new marriage certificate once we've corrected the record.
If the original marriage certificate is returned, we issue a replacement certificate free of charge. If the original isn't returned, there is a fee for the new certificate.
The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make.
For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Approved translators can be found at naati.com.au (External link) or by contacting Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 1450.
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, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.
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: Australian born:
Overseas born:
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. |
| Date or place of birth |
Evidence of correct date or place of birth:
|
| Processing start date | Processing time | Pick up/delivery |
|---|---|---|
|
Date received
Full application |
28 days (4 weeks) Standard processing |
Pickup 595 Collins Street Melbourne or 6 days |
Track the progress of your corrected certificate (External link)
| If the original marriage certificate is returned | If the original marriage certificate IS NOT returned |
|---|---|
| No fee |
$33.80
The price of a legal marriage certificate applies |
We can't refund shipping fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.
| Postage within Australia | Cost |
|---|---|
|
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 |
| Postage outside Australia | Cost |
|---|---|
| Airmail (standard post) | $3.80 |
| Express courier international | $54.10 |
See Australia Post (External link) for product details.
Check the Payment methods (External link) we accept.