Apply for a marriage or relationship certificate
Marriage certificates are normally used to prove identity, research family history or to show a name change when someone takes on their partner’s name.
Relationship certificates are usually needed to prove that a relationship has been registered.
Commemorative certificates are also available.
Who can apply
The people who are named on the registration can apply for a certificate. Other people who can apply are:
- a child of the couple
- a child of one person named on the certificate - authorised under the Adoption Act 1988, subsection 41(4)
- an executor of their estate, administrator or trustee - evidence of authority and relationship to the deceased needed
- someone with written authority or power of attorney - evidence of authority needed.
Anyone can access a certificate that is more than 75 years old.
What you'll need
You will need to know basic information such as the couple's names and the date of the marriage or registration.
Proof of identity
You will need to prove your identity unless you're applying for a certificate more than 75 years old.
If you're applying in person or by post, you will need either a:
- current Australian driver’s licence
- proof of age card.
If you don’t have those as proof, CBS will accept any two of the following, which show your current name and address on one, and your signature on the other:
- passport
- Centrelink or health care card
- pension/seniors/veteran’s card
- credit/debit card, bank statement
- occupational licence - eg builders licence
- defence force/police service ID card
- current Australian firearms licence
- electricity/gas/utilities account
- telephone/mobile account.
If applying online you can either:
- answer a series of questions about the registration and the certificate will be posted by registered person-to-person post.
- upload scanned or photographed images of your identification documents.
Fees
Fees for certificates cover the search of the register:
- certificate - $48.75
- commemorative certificate (includes legal certificate) - $68.50.
Occasionally, CBS can't find a record to match an application. If this happens, a 'no record' certificate is issued and a search fee of $48.75 for each ten-year period is charged.
Processing times
Processing times can vary depending on the date on the certificate. Check estimated processing times on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) website to work out how long it will take to get your certificate.
Check current processing times
Your application can be fast-tracked by paying a priority fee of $37. Certificates can be picked up from the CBS Customer Service Centre in Adelaide or sent by express post. There is no extra postage cost to have your fast-tracked certificate sent by express post.
Priority service processing times:
- CBS Customer Service Centre applications - 30 minutes
- online or posted applications - available for collection or posted within 24 hours.
Paying for your certificate
You can pay for your certificate:
- in person – cash, cheque, money order, credit or debit card
- by post – cheque, money order, credit card
- online – credit card.
Cheques should be made payable to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
How to apply
You can only apply for relationship certificates online.
Online
Apply on the Consumer and Business Services website.
Post
1. Application form
Complete and sign the form – Apply for a marriage certificate (184.9 KB PDF)
2. Supporting evidence
Attach copies of the required ID to your application.
3. Lodgement
Post to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Consumer and Business Services
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
In person
1. Application form
Complete and sign the form - Apply for a marriage certificate (184.9 KB PDF)
2. Supporting evidence
Attach copies of the required ID to your application.
3. Lodgement
Take your application to the CBS Customer Service Centre or a country Service SA location.
Related information
On this site
Researching your family history
Other websites
- Report a lost or stolen certificate
- Family history search - Genealogy SA
Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages
Phone
131 882
In person
91 Grenfell Street
Adelaide
Post
GPO Box 1351
Adelaide SA 5001
