* When searching for vital events, it should be remembered that the indexes are transcriptions of original material, and as such, will contain errors and omissions.
* Each edition of an index varies in content and quality from the previous edition, so ALL versions of an index should be searched, until a result is obtained.
* When a positive reference is found, the certificate or a transcript should be purchased, to confirm whether the person named actually is part of the family being traced.
* You are advised to visit the web site of the Civil Registration authority before applying for certificates, as privacy provisions may be in place, which demand certain criteria be complied with before a certificate can be issued.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYCivil Registration commenced 1 January, 1930. (Pre 1930 - see New South Wales)
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
255 Canberra Avenue,
Fyshwick ACT 2609
GPO Box 225
Civic Square
Canberra ACT 2608
Tel: 02 6207 0460
Cost: $36.00
Indexes:
Deaths 1930-1973
E-mail: No
On-line ordering: Yes
NEW SOUTH WALESCivil Registration commenced 1 March 1856.
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
35 Regent Street,
Chippendale NSW 2008
G P O Box 30,
Sydney NSW 2001
Tel: 1300 655 236
Fax: 9699 5120
Cost: $26.00 (You must quote the Reg No and say that the certificate is for Family History).
Restrictions:
Births - No access after 1905 unless family
Marriages - No access to last 50 years unless family
Deaths - No access to last 30 years unless family
Indexes:
MICROFICHE
| Baptisms | Births | Deaths | Marriages |
| 1788-1856 | 1856-1869 | 1856-1869 | 1856-1869 |
| 1870-1889 | 1870-1889 | 1870-1889 | |
| 1890-1899 | 1890-1899 | 1890-1899 | |
| 1900-1905 | 1900-1905 | 1900-1905 |
Consolidated alphabetical index of all events:
Pioneer - 1788-1888
Federation - 1889-1918
Between the Wars - 1919-1945 Marriages and Deaths only
CD-ROM - Consolidated indexes as above on separate CDs.
On-line ordering: Yes
Search indexes on-line (no charge) at:
NEW ZEALANDCivil Registration commenced in 1848.
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Level 3,
Boulcott House
47 Boulcott Street
(P O Box 10-526)
Wellington
New Zealand
Tel: Free call NZ only 0800 22 52 52
Fax: (+64 4) 382-3515 (for certificate and printout orders)
Fax: (+64 4) 382-3613 (for general enquiries)
Births 1848-1930 and 1972 to 1997
Marriages (1840+) 1854-1997
Deaths 1848 to 1930; 1972-1997
Indexes are on microfiche, not searchable online.
Cost: 1848-1874 - $NZ26.00 for Certified copy (Reg Nos must be quoted)
After 1875 - $NZ20.00
Micrographic Copy $NZ30.00
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Civil Registration commenced 24 August 1870.
(1856-1863 with New South Wales, 1863-1870 with South Australia)
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Nichols Place,
Cnr. Cavenagh & Bennett Streets,
Darwin NT 0800
G P O Box 3021,
Darwin NT 0801
Tel: 08 8999 6119
Fax: 08 8999 6324
Cost: $25.00
Indexes:
Microfiche:
1870 - 1902
1903 - 1913 (1918 for births)
CD: 1870 - 1913 (1918 for births)
On-line ordering: No
QUEENSLANDCivil Registration commenced 1 March 1856.
The Registry holds the following records: Births that have occurred since 1856 Deaths since 1856 Marriages since 1856 Baptisms and burials that occurred between 1829 and 1856 Church marriages between 1839 and 1856
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages,
110 George Street,
Brisbane QLD 4000
PO Box 15188,
City East Qld 4002
Tel: 1300 366 430 (within Australia)
Cost: $26.00
For birth certificates 1889 onwards, you must ask for the parents' marriage details if required. Unrestricted access before 1905 for births, deaths over 50 yrs ago, marriages over 70 yrs ago.
Online Indexes:
Births, Deaths & Marriages 1829-1914
Microfiche
Births 1829-1919; Deaths 1829-1949; Marriages 1829-1939.
CD-ROM Pioneers Index 1829-1889; Federation Index 1890-1914
On-line ordering: No.
It is not permissable for the Registry to accept applications for certificates via email due to proof of identity requirements. Applications for certificates and registrations can be submitted by mail or at the Registry office counter.
SOUTH AUSTRALIACivil Registration commenced 1 June 1842.
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Level 2,
Chesser House,
91-97 Grenfell Street,
Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 1351,
Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: 08 8204 9599
Cost: $38.00
Restrictions:
Births - No access to last 75 years unless parent/child
Marriages - No access to last 60 years unless family
Deaths - No access to last 25 years unless family
Indexes:
Microfiche
South Australian Birth Registrations 1907 to 1928
South Australian Birth Registrations 1842 to 1906
South Australian Death Registrations 1916 to 1972
South Australian Death Registrations 1842 to 1915
South Australian Marriage Registrations 1842 to 1916
South Australian Marriage Registrations 1917-1937
CD-ROM
South Australian Birth Registrations 1842 to 1906
South Australian Birth Registrations 1907 to 1928
South Australian Death Registrations 1842 to 1915
South Australian Death Registrations 1916 to 1972
South Australian Marriage Registrations 1842 to 1916
South Australian Marriage Registrations 1917-1937
On-line ordering: Yes.
SA Genealogy & Heraldry Society advise that they now have a transcription service for Birth 1842-1928, Death 1842-1967 & Marriage 1842-1937 certificates. Some districts may vary. A fee of $11.00 per certificate applies. For more information contact the Society on (08) 8272 4222.
TASMANIACivil Registration commenced 1 December 1838.
The registers from 1803-1899 have been microfilmed, and are available at some genealogical societies, municipal and State libraries. Once the required record has been located on the microfilm, a printout may be made for a nominal fee.
After 1900
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Service Tasmania
Lands Building,
134 Macquarie Place,
Hobart TAS 7000
GPO Box 198,
Hobart Tas 7001
Tel: 03 6233 3795
Cost: $35.84
Access to birth and marriage records are available to anyone after 75 years. Access to death records are available to anyone after 25 years. All other applications are subject to the Access Policy.
Indexes:
Microfilm
Baptisms/Births 1803-1899; Burials/Deaths 1803-1933; Marriages 1803-1899
Microfiche
Pioneer Index 1803-1899; Births 1900-1905; Deaths and Marriages 1900-1914; 1915-1919
CD-ROM
Pioneers Index 1803-1899
Federation Index Births 1900-1919
Deaths & Marriages 1900-1930
E-mail: No
On-line ordering: No
VICTORIACivil Registration commenced 1 July 1853.
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Transport House,
589 Collins Street,
Melbourne Vic 3000
GPO Box 4332
Melbourne Vic 3001
Tel: (03) 1300 369 367
Cost: Historical certificate $17.50 Current $25.80
Certificates can be obtained with or without the Reg No, but it is advisable to quote the Reg No to confirm the correct person.
Restrictions:
Births - No access to last 75 years unless family.
Marriages - No access to last 60 years unless family, or if both parties deceased.
Indexes:
Microfiche
Baptisms/Burials/Marriages 1835-c.1858
Births 1853-1895; 1896-1914
Deaths 1853-1895; 1896-1913; 1914-1930; 1931-1940; 1940-1980
Marriages 1853-1895; 1896-1913; 1914-1930
The Guides published by the Registry should be consulted when using this series of indexes.
Consolidated indexes in one alphabetical sequence:
Pioneer Index 1835-1888
Marine BDMs 1853-1920 (includes images of certificates)
Federation Index 1889-1901
Edwardian Index 1902-1913
Great War Index 1914-1920
Deaths Index 1921-1985
CD-ROM Consolidated indexes 1835-1985 as per above on separate CDs.
Marriages Index 1921-1942
Search historical indexes online.
To view the first of these pages you will be asked to enter credit card details. You will be charged AUD$0.99 (including GST) for each page you choose to view. You will be provided with a Receipt Number which you should note in case you need to quote it in the future.
Privacy restrictions for births - historical certificates only available up to 1906.
E-mail: No
Purchase historical certificates online: Yes
Privately indexed by Bruce Jefferson:
Microfiche
Melbourne Argus Index to Birth Notices 1914-1920
Melbourne Argus Index to Birth Notices 1921-1925
Melbourne Argus Index to Marriage Notices 1931-1940
CD-ROM
Argus Index Births 1914-1931
Argus Index Marriages 1931-1941
WESTERN AUSTRALIACivil Registration commenced 1 September 1841.
Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages,
Level 13, Westralia Square,
141 St Georges Terrace,
Perth WA 6000
GPO Box 7720
Cloisters Square WA 6850
Tel: 08 9264 1555
Fax: 1902 240 550
Cost: $20.00 for entries over 60 years ago, and Reg No and year must be quoted.
$30.00 if less than 60 years ago, or Reg No not quoted.
Restrictions:
Births - No access to last 75 years unless family.
Marriages - No access to last 40 years unless family.
Deaths - No access to last 10 years unless family.
Indexes:
Microfiche
Baptisms 1847-1931; RC Pinjarri 1936-1953; Anglican 1861-1983
Births 1841-1905; Deaths 1841-1980; Marriages 1841-1965
Marriage Indexes
Western Australian Genealogical Society 1829-1896
Pioneers Index 1841-1905
CR-ROM - consolidated index as above 1841-1905
On-line ordering: No
AUSTRALIAN VITAL RECORDSThis is a set of four CD-ROMS, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, using the first edition databases of the New South Wales, Tasmanian, Victorian and Western Australian Pioneers Indexes. It is useful for doing quick searches, but is by no means complete. These disks cannot be sold in Australia, due to contractual agreements, but are available for searching in the LDS Family History Centres, free of charge.