Birth Certificates for a Partner Visa
Each partner visa applicant provides a birth certificate showing the names of both parents, or, if they cannot, one of 4 alternative identity documents the Department accepts, and every child included in the application needs a birth certificate or other proof of the parent-child relationship.
A commemorative or short-extract certificate that omits the parents' names is not the version to upload. What you need, and why, depends on whose certificate it is.
| Person | Why the Department needs it | Version to provide | Where to order it | Which relationship factor it proves | What to provide if none exists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Identity and age | Birth certificate showing both parents' names | Registry of the state, territory or country of birth | None: identity | One of the 4 alternatives below |
| Each child included in the application | Identity and the relationship to you | Birth certificate naming the parents | Registry of the place of birth | Nature of the household, if it names both partners as parents; otherwise none (identity) | Adoption papers, court orders or other identity documents |
| Sponsor | Proof of citizenship or residence status | Copy of birth certificate, with passport | Registry of the place of birth | None: sponsorship | See the sponsor section below |
Which birth certificate does a partner visa applicant need?
The Home Affairs subclass 820 and 309 pages, last updated on 10 August 2026, ask each applicant to "provide a birth certificate showing the names of both parents". Upload a clear colour scan or photograph of the original. Identity documents can be up to 500KB each in ImmiAccount.
Full certificate, extract or commemorative certificate?
| Version | Shows both parents? | Use it for a partner visa? |
|---|---|---|
| Full or standard certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Short extract or abridged certificate | Often not | Only if it names both parents |
| Commemorative certificate | Not an identity document | No |
Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria describes commemorative certificates as not official identity documents.
Do you need a birth certificate for each child on the partner visa?
Yes, or other evidence of your relationship to the child. Home Affairs asks, for each dependent child, for identity documents and "evidence of your relationship with your dependant, like a birth or marriage certificate". A certificate naming both partners as parents also supports the nature of the household through joint responsibility for children under reg 1.09A(3)(b) and reg 1.15A(3)(b), part of your partner visa relationship evidence.
If another parent has a legal right to decide where the child lives and is not migrating, they complete Form 1229. That form asks for a certified copy of the child's birth certificate if it is not already lodged.
A child born after you lodge is covered too. Under reg 2.08 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), a child born to an applicant before the decision is taken to have applied for the same visa. Tell the Department and upload the child's birth certificate.
What if you do not have a birth certificate for the partner visa?
Home Affairs accepts the identification page of one of these 4 documents instead, as at 23 September 2026:
- A family book showing the names of both parents.
- An identification document issued by the government.
- A court-issued document that proves your identity.
- A family census register.
You still upload your passport pages and any national identity card. A short written note explaining why no birth certificate is available helps the case officer.
The country does not issue birth certificates, or registered the birth late
Upload the certificate the country did issue, even if the birth was registered years later, with a note explaining the late registration. If there is nothing, use one of the 4 alternatives.
How do you order a birth certificate for a partner visa?
Born in Australia
Order from the registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state or territory of birth. As at 23 September 2026, a standard certificate costs $70 including postage in NSW, with processing of up to 3 weeks online, and $59.10 plus postage in Victoria.
Born overseas
Order from the civil registry of the country of birth. Some countries also issue certificates through their embassy or consulate in Australia.
Does a birth certificate in another language need a translation for a partner visa?
Yes. Home Affairs asks for every document not in English to be translated, with the original and the translation both uploaded. See translating documents for a partner visa for who can translate.
Does the partner visa sponsor need a birth certificate?
Yes. The sponsor section of the Home Affairs subclass 820 page asks for a copy of the sponsor's passport, a copy of their birth certificate and a photo of their face. A full Australian birth certificate alone confirms citizenship only for someone born in Australia before 20 August 1986, according to Home Affairs.
Questions about birth certificates for a partner visa
Does the birth certificate need to be certified?
No, for an online application, except where Form 1229 asks for a certified copy.
Can you upload a photo of the certificate?
Yes. Home Affairs accepts clear colour photos that show all of the document's information.
Does the name on the birth certificate have to match the passport?
Not exactly, but the link must be shown. Home Affairs asks for proof of any change of name and documents showing other names you have been known by.
Do you need a new birth certificate for the second stage?
Birth details do not change, so the certificate you lodged stands. Provide a new one only if the Department asks.
Birth certificates and the partner visa document checklist
A child's certificate that names both partners is also household evidence, covered in the partner visa relationship evidence guide. Where a non-migrating parent must consent, Form 1229 explains the consent step. For certificates in another language, read translating documents for a partner visa.
Identity documents look simple, but a missing parent's name, an unexplained name difference or a missing consent form can hold up a whole family's application. An application prepared by a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner is more likely to succeed, because they can check each person's documents against the Home Affairs list and fix gaps before lodgement. No adviser can promise a grant.
Use the partner visa document checklist, groups A and J, to tick off each person's identity documents before you lodge.
Questions people ask
Which birth certificate do you need for a partner visa?
A birth certificate showing the names of both of your parents, uploaded as a clear colour scan or photograph. Home Affairs states this on its subclass 820 and 309 pages, last updated on 10 August 2026. A commemorative certificate is not an official identity document.
What if you do not have a birth certificate for a partner visa?
Home Affairs accepts the identification page of one of four alternatives. They are a family book showing both parents' names, an identification document issued by the government, a court-issued document that proves your identity, or a family census register. You still provide your passport pages and any national identity card.
Does the sponsor need a birth certificate for a partner visa?
Home Affairs asks the sponsor for copies of their passport and birth certificate and a photo of their face. For a sponsor born in Australia before 20 August 1986, a full Australian birth certificate on its own is enough to confirm Australian citizenship.
Does a birth certificate need to be certified for a partner visa?
No, for an online application. Home Affairs says you do not need to have any documents certified. The exception is Form 1229, whose own instructions ask for a certified copy of the child's birth certificate if it is not already lodged.
Sources
Primary sources this page was checked against on 23 September 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs, Partner visa (subclass 820), identity documents immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs, Partner visa (subclass 309) immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs, Form 1229 Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs, Confirming Australian citizenship immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), regs 1.09A, 1.15A and 2.08 www.legislation.gov.au
- NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Fees and processing times www.nsw.gov.au