Birth certificates for co-parents and chosen parenting titles

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    A co-parent is generally a person who is recognised as a parent of a child born of a fertilisation procedure.

    If your child has a co-parent, you can choose how that parent is displayed on your child's birth certificate.

    A co-parent can apply to be displayed as:

    • Mother
    • Father
    • Parent
    • Co-parent

    Who can apply

    Both parents must apply together and provide consent to the chosen parenting title.

    If the child is 18 years or older, they must also provide consent.

    If only one parent applies, information must be provided as to why the other parent can’t provide consent.

    If the other parent objects to the application, it will not be approved.

    What happens after approval

    Once approved, the chosen parenting title will appear on all future birth certificates issued for that child.

    A parenting title can only be applied once. Any changes need to be approved by the Registrar.

    The chosen parenting title will appear on the child's birth certificate. The co-parent will continue to be recorded as ‘co-parent’ in the Birth Register.

    How to apply for a parenting title

    A parenting title can be applied when:

    You can't apply for a certificate over the phone.

    Other ways to apply

    1. Fill out and have both parents sign the form: Application for birth certificate for co-parents (PDF 2.7MB)
    2. Standard certificate - $72.00

      Standard and commemorative certificate - $99.00

      There is no fee to register a birth.

    3. Lodge your completed application.

      Email: ocba-bdmregistrations@agd.sa.gov.au

      Post:
      Births, Deaths and Marriages
      Consumer and Business Services
      GPO Box 1351
      Adelaide SA 5001

    Alternatively, you can lodge your application at the Gawler Service SA centre or any regional Service SA location.

    Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages

    Phone: 131 882
    International: +61 8 8204 8532

    Post:
    GPO Box 1351
    Adelaide SA 5001

    Online:
    Contact Births, Deaths and Marriages

    Related information

    On this site

    Other websites


    Page last updated 4 September 2026

    Provided by:
    Attorney-General's Department
    URL:
    https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/certificates/co-parents-and-chosen-parenting-titles
    Last Updated:
    04/09/26
    Printed on:
    04/09/26
    Copyright statement:
    SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2026
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