Apply for birth, death or marriage certificate
This page has information on how to apply for a birth, death, or marriage certificate in the Northern Territory.
Before you apply online
You will need to supply all of the following:
- your credit card details - check the fee
- your email address
- your phone number.
How to prove your identity
You will be asked security questions to prove your identity when you apply online.
How you will receive your certificate
You can either:
- collect your certificate from Darwin or Alice Springs Births, Deaths and Marriages office - you will need to provide identification documents
- or have your certificate posted using person-to-person registered mail and collect it from an Australia Post branch - you must show identification as requested by Australia Post on collection.
When you will receive your certificate
If you apply in person, you will receive your certificate immediately.
Your application will take at least three days from when the Births, Deaths and Marriages office receives your application if you apply:
- online
- by post
- by fax.
This does not include postage time. You will need to allow time for this.
If you need your certificate urgently contact the Births, Deaths and Marriages office.
Special birth certificates
You can order a special birth certificate with pictures and colours, known as a commemorative certificate.
Commemorative certificates cannot be used for official purposes.
You can choose to buy a commemorative certificate on its own, or as a package which includes a standard birth certificate.
To order a special birth certificate follow these steps:
Step 1. Apply online or fill in the commemorative certificate form.
commemorative certificate form (130.7 kb)
commemorative certificate form (573.3 kb)
Step 2. Submit your application to a Births, Deaths and Marriages office by mail, fax or in person.
Step 3. Pay the fee. Check the fee.
You can choose from these themes:
| Theme | Example |
|---|---|
| Abstract |  |
| Blue bunny |  |
| Clowns |  |
| Ducks |  |
| Indigenous |  |
| Pink bunny |  |
| Scenery |  |
| Wildlife |  |
Early delivery certificates
If your baby is born before 20 weeks or weighs less than 400 grams, you can apply for a commemorative certificate. This certificate can't be used for official purposes.
There is no fee for an early delivery certificate.
To get an early delivery certificate follow these steps:
Step 1. Provide a letter from a medical professional confirming the delivery details.
Step 2. Complete the commemorative certificate of delivery application form.
commemorative certificate of delivery application form (35.2 kb)
commemorative certificate of delivery application form (36.8 kb)
Step 3. Submit your documents in person or by mail to a Births, Deaths and Marriages office.
Other ways to apply
If you don't apply online, you can fill in the births, deaths and marriages certificate application form and submit it with your identification documents:
- in person
- by fax
- by mail.
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (51.0 kb)
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (49.5 kb)
In person
To apply in person take your completed form and identification documents to any Births, Deaths and Marriages office in Darwin or Alice Springs between Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
You can also apply in person at the Katherine Court House and Tennant Creek Court House.
By post
To apply by post follow these steps:
Step 1. Take your original identification documents and copies of your documents to a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths or other qualified person to get the copies signed. This is called getting your documents certified.
Step 2. Send all of the following to a Births, Deaths and Marriages office:
- your completed births, deaths and marriages certificate application form
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (51.0 kb)
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (49.5 kb)
- payment for the fee - you can pay by cheque, money order or fill in the credit card section on your application form
- signed (certified) copies of your identification documents.
By fax
To apply by fax follow these steps:
Step 1. Take your original identification documents and copies of your documents to a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths or other qualified person to get the copies signed. This is called getting your documents certified.
Step 2. Pay the fee - payment is by credit card only. You will need to complete the credit card section on your application form. Check the fee.
Step 3. Fax all of the following:
- your completed births, deaths and marriage application form
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (51.0 kb)
births, deaths and marriages certificate application form (49.5 kb) - signed (certified) copies of your identification documents.
Fax your documents to:
Darwin: 08 8999 6324
Alice Springs: 08 8951 5340
Last updated: 03 September 2018