Apply for a marriage certificate

Introduction

A marriage certificate is an official copy of the marriage registration held by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. It's often used to help establish a person's identity. 

For a marriage that occurred in NSW, you can apply online, by post, or in person at a Service NSW Centre.

Certificates are sent to you by the Registry, using registered post. You cannot get a certificate from a service centre.

Eligibility

Before a marriage certificate can be produced, your marriage must be registered. Your civil or religious marriage celebrant will submit the required documents on your behalf to enable registration.

This application can only be used if the marriage occurred in NSW.

If you're a spouse, your marriage certificate can be issued to you. If you're a child of the marriage, the certificate can be issued to you if the married couple are deceased.

• If you meet the above criteria, you must provide 3 forms of your own identification.
• If you do not meet the above criteria, you must satisfy one of the following conditions:  
  • provide a Letter of Authority – PDF giving permission to apply and at least 3 forms of identification from either spouse, and your own identification
  • show Power of Attorney relating to either spouse.

If you're a solicitor applying for a certificate on behalf of your client, you must provide:

• a letter on company letterhead that shows the address of your law firm, stating:
  • the reason the certificate is required ('legal' is not sufficient – a specific reason is needed, such as Probate, Estate Administration, immigration)
  • the name of the person you're acting for, and in what capacity
  • the link between your client and the person whose name appears on the marriage certificate
• a copy of your Law Society ID Card or Practising Certificate.

What you need

• details of the marriage and each spouse
• the applicant's personal and contact details
• personal identity documents
• company documents (if applicable)
• evidence you have permission to be provided with the marriage certificate (if applicable)
• your payment.

How to apply

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Select the 'Apply online' button.
3. Follow the prompts to complete your application.

If you do not wish to apply online:

1. Download and complete the Marriage Certificate Application – PDF.
2. Lodge it with the required documents and payment using the details on the form.

Privacy

This information is being collected by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages for the purpose of assessing your application for a marriage certificate.

Service NSW does not collect or maintain any personal information in relation to this transaction.

For further information on how your privacy is protected, refer to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages privacy collection notice.

More information

• If you begin filling in the online application form and want to save it to complete later, you're able to resume your application.
• You can check the status of your application online.
• When you apply for a standard marriage certificate, you also have the option to buy a commemorative certificate to keep as a memento.
• If the marriage occurred 50 or more years ago and you do not need a certificate for official use, please refer to Order a Family History Certificate.
• Make sure that the copies of the documents you have scanned or photographed are clear and easy to read. The file types can be TIFs, JPGs or PDFs.
• When your application form and payment are received, you'll be sent a tax invoice to the email address you provided. You also have the option to print the summary page, or your entire application form.
• Processing times start when applications are received in full compliance with Registry requirements, and exclude delivery time.
• If you change your mind, or decide the certificate is no longer required, your application fee will not be refunded.
• If you'd like your certificate to be sent to an Australian passport office, consulate or embassy, you'll need to make that request at the same time as your application, as this cannot be done later.
  • Please include a request letter if mailing your application.
  • Make sure that you indicate which destination office you want the certificate sent to.
  • Certificates are not sent to foreign embassies, work emails or personal emails.
  • There is an additional payment attached to this request.
  • Do not laminate your certificates. Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by government agencies.

Payment methods