If you've recently given birth in Victoria, you'll need to register your baby within 60 days of the birth. There is no fee to register.
BDM needs independent evidence to verify your child’s birth. We need this evidence so that we can make sure the registration is not for a fraudulent or improper purpose.
Home birth with a doctor or midwife
If a doctor or midwife was present, they will have notified us that the birth occurred. You just need to register the birth.
Home birth without a doctor or midwife
If you gave birth without a doctor or midwife, you need to register the birth. You’ll also need to provide both the following:
- A letter on official letterhead from a health practitioner who:
- Saw you during pregnancy, and
- Examined the child after the birth.
The letter should contain the details in the ‘Health practitioner’s letter’, below.
- A statutory declaration from another person in attendance at the birth.
Health practitioner’s letter
The health practitioner’s letter should include all the following information:
- The practitioner’s Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) number
- When they examined the mother and child
- Mother’s full name
- Child’s full name
- Date of birth
- Time of birth
- Place of birth (full address)
- Sex of child
- Weight (if known)
- If it was a multiple birth (e.g. twins, triplets)
- Confirmation of whether child was born alive.
Unable to get confirmation
If you can’t do any of these things, email bdmbirths@justice.vic.gov.au and let us know. We will still need independent verification of your child’s birth. For example, this may include one of the following:
- A letter on letterhead from a health service or hospital confirming details about your child
- Results of a DNA-based parentage test. The test must be approved by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) (External link).
The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages may seek confirmation of a child’s birth. The Registrar may ask Maternal and Child Health (MCH) to provide this under the Child Information Sharing Scheme. MCH can give the Registrar the information needed to register your child’s birth.
We will discuss your situation with you. We will try to help you identify what evidence you can provide us to verify your child’s birth.
Stillbirth
If you experienced a stillbirth at home (or not in a hospital), we acknowledge the emotional hardship you're facing. However, the law requires you to register the birth. Learn more at Miscarriage, stillbirth and loss of a newborn. You can also contact us.