Correct a marriage certificate

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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.

What we need from you

We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:

1. Details of the people on the certificate

As a minimum, for each person, we ask for:

Given name and family name
Date and place of birth.

2. The original certificate

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.

3. Evidence to support the correction

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.

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable 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, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.

Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.

Evidence required

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: Birth certificate Overseas born: Birth certificate Passport Citizenship certificate or Australian visa. 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: Australian birth certificate Overseas birth certificate, or Overseas passport.

Correction

Acceptable evidence

Any name on the certificate

Provide evidence of correct name:

Australian born:

Birth certificate

Overseas born:

Birth certificate
Passport
Citizenship certificate or Australian visa.

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:

Australian birth certificate
Overseas birth certificate, or
Overseas passport.

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take for a corrected certificate to be issued?

Processing start date	Processing time	Pick up/delivery
Date received Full application with proof of identity and evidence	28 days (4 weeks) Standard processing	Pickup 595 Collins Street Melbourne or 6 days Australia post

Processing start date

Processing time

Pick up/delivery

Date received

Full application
with proof of identity and evidence

28 days (4 weeks)

Standard processing

Pickup
595 Collins Street
Melbourne

6 days
Australia post

Track the progress of your corrected certificate (External link)

Fees and payment

Certificate fees

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

Postage fees

We can’t refund postage fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage within Australia

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

Postage outside Australia

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.

Apply now (External link)