The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

The Registry creates and preserves records of 91¶ÌÊÓÆµn births, deaths, marriages and changes of name.
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International Post Disruptions

The Registry is aware that the current situation in the Middle East region has affected international postal services to and from the region as well as to and from other regions which use the Middle East as an airline transit hub.

Before submitting your application, customers are advised to check the to verify that the destination country has not had its postal services suspended.

Where postal services have been suspended, please provide an alternate postal delivery address to ensure you receive the item ordered.

Note: as these documents contain a great deal of personal and sensitive information, we do not email or fax certificates.

Scam Alert

The Registry is aware that some private companies have set up official-looking websites offering streamlined access to birth, death and marriage certificates. They may claim to be affiliated with the 91¶ÌÊÓÆµ. The Registry warns against providing identity documentation and personal information to unknown third parties. Certificates are only available through official Government registries.

Learn more about on the ScamWatch website.

The Registry creates and preserves records of 91¶ÌÊÓÆµn births, deaths, marriages and changes of name in accordance with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998. Eligible customers are able to apply for certificates from these records to be used for a range of legal, personal and historical purposes.

Birth Registration and Certificates

Information on how to register a birth and apply for a birth certificate.

Death Registration and Certificates

Information about registration of a death and applying for a death certificate.

Marriages

Find information on marriage in Australia, getting married at the Perth Registry Office, how to find or become an authorised marriage celebrant and how to apply for a marriage certificate or single status certificate.

Family history

Searching historical records on the 91¶ÌÊÓÆµn Online Index.

Changing your name

Learn more on how to change your name and apply for a previously registered change of name certificate.

Changing your sex or gender

Learn more on how to apply to change your sex or gender.

The WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is aware that some private companies have set up official-looking websites to charge people for downloading copies of birth, death and marriage forms.

The forms are available on this website for the public to download at no cost.

Registry Office locations

These details will help you find information about local, interstate and selected overseas Registries and other useful organisations.

Registry Office locations

Getting married at the Perth Registry Office

The Perth Registry Office has two wedding rooms which offer magnificent views overlooking the Swan River. Friendly civil ceremonies are conducted Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) commencing at 9.00 am and concluding at 4.00 pm.

Grevillea Room
Grevillea Room (seats 35 guests)
Banksia Room
Banksia Room (seats 20 guests)

All couples are required to lodge a , identification (passport or birth certificate) and, if previously married, a divorce certificate or death certificate of their previous spouse. These documents must be lodged via appointment with the Perth Registry Office at least one month before the desired date of marriage.

To book your initial lodgement appointment you must contact the Registry’s Marriage Services Team on 1300 305 021. Appointments are a requirement.

Overseas / Interstate / Regional Couples

If you are located overseas, interstate or in regional 91¶ÌÊÓÆµ, you may be eligible to post or email the , however,  you will need to arrange for your signatures to be witnessed by a qualified person (as stated on the Notice) . Original documents will need to be presented to the Marriage Services Team a week before your marriage ceremony.

On the day of the ceremony, two witnesses must be present to witness your marriage and sign the marriage documentation. Your witnesses:

  • must be 18 years or older
  • know either party
  • can be family or friends.

Note: The Registry does not supply witnesses for your ceremony.

On occasion where the couple or witnesses do not speak and/or understand English the Registry will provide an interpreter free of charge. This includes Auslan.

As the Registering Authority for all marriages in 91¶ÌÊÓÆµ, the Perth Registry Office is the only establishment that can issue the certified (legal) marriage certificate immediately after your marriage ceremony. This certificate is used to legally recognise your changed marital status and entitlement to use your married name.

Note: The Perth Registry Office is not affiliated to the Perth Marriage Office which is operated by a private authorised marriage celebrant.

Correct or amend a certificate

If there is an error or details missing on a birth, death or marriage certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, you should contact the Registry for advice on how to correct the certificate.

Recognition certificates for early pregnancy loss

A recognition certificate for early pregnancy loss is available to commemorate the loss of a child which occurred before 20 weeks gestation, or if gestation weeks are unknown, the baby weighed less than 400 grams.

Recognition certificates are only available to the parent/s of the child. If only one parent signs the application the other parent's name will not appear on the recognition certificate.

The certificate will be issued free of charge however there is a limit of three certificates per child. A recognition certificate cannot be used for official purposes.

Single status certificates

Overseas marriage authorities often require evidence that parties to a prospective marriage are free to marry. Such evidence may be a Result of Marriage Search Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This certifies that you have never been married in 91¶ÌÊÓÆµ, or if previously married, no further marriage has been registered. Only the person who is a party to the prospective marriage can apply and applications can only be submitted to the Registry Office in Perth.

Alternatively, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Consular Services offers a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage – further information can be obtained from the website.

Adoptions

If you were legally adopted in 91¶ÌÊÓÆµ, you can apply for a copy of your post-adoption birth certificate from the Registry using the Birth Certificate application.

If you are a party to an adoption or a relative of an adopted person and would like to know how to access other information relating to the adoption please contact the Department of Communities - Post Adoption Information and Services.

Divorce

Please refer your enquiries to the . Information about divorce procedures can be accessed from the above link or from the .

Become an authorised marriage celebrant

Although the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages maintains a register of 91¶ÌÊÓÆµn Authorised Marriage Celebrants, all requests for appointment must be referred to the . This also includes celebrants from independent religious organisations.

Ministers from recognised denominations should contact their Nominating Authority for further information about becoming an authorised marriage celebrant.

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