Get a single status certificate

A single status certificate proves that the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) holds no record of current marriage in Victoria.

You can use a single status certificate as proof that you are not already married. You may need this proof if you want to marry overseas.

What we need from you

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

1. Details of the person named on the certificate

At minimum, you'll be asked for:

Given name
Family name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Name of the mother
Name of the second parent (if applicable)
Reason for application.

If you've been previously married and are divorced or widowed, we'll also ask for:

Your date of divorce, or
A copy of your spouse's death certificate.

2. Proof of your identity

You may be able to prove your identity online. If not you can still prove your identity in other ways. These include:

Taking certified copies of your identity documents to our Customer Service Centre or a Justice Service Centre
Mailing certified copies to us.

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.

3. Proof that you're eligible to get the certificate

If you're applying for your own certificate, you only need to provide proof of your identity.

If you're applying for someone else's certificate, you also need to provide:

Third-party authority form or letter from the person on the certificate authorising you to access their record. This includes the authorising person’s:
- Address
- Daytime telephone number
- Signature.
Proof of identity of the authorising person.

Processing and delivery

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

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

Processing start date

Processing time

Pick up/delivery

Date received

Full application
with eligibility and
proof of identity documents

28 days (4 weeks)

Pickup
595 Collins Street
Melbourne

6 days
Australia post

Track the progress of your certificate (External link)

Additional copies

If you applied for more than one copy of a certificate, each will be posted separately for security reasons, unless you asked for them to be sent by Registered or Express Post.

We'll post them all on the same day, but Australia Post may deliver them on different days.

Fees and payment

Certificate fees

Legal certificate
$33.80
Accepted as an official single status certificate.

Postage fees

Shipping fees cannot be refunded if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage within Australia
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
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.

Apply now (External link)