{"id":"nsw:act-2010-019","name":"Relationships Register Act 2010","slug":"relationships-register-act-2010","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"19 of 2010","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30877,"registerId":"nsw-act-2010-019-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Relationships Register Act 2010](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2010-019).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> > (1) This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation, except as provided by subsection (2).\n> \n> > (2) Schedule 2.2 and Schedule 3 commence on the date of assent to this Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Object of Act","content":"#### 3 Object of Act\n\n3 Object of Act\n\n> The object of this Act is to provide for the legal recognition of persons in a relationship as a couple, regardless of their sex, by registration of the relationship.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 4 Definitions\n\n4 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Act:\n> > \n> > adult means a person of or above the age of 18 years.\n> > \n> > corresponding law means a law of another State or a Territory providing for the registration of or recognition of relationships that is prescribed by the regulations.\n> > \n> > interstate registered relationship—see section 16.\n> > \n> > Register means the Register established under the [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1995-062).\n> > \n> > registered relationship means a relationship that is registered under this Act.\n> > \n> > Registrar means the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within the meaning of the [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1995-062).\n> > \n> > Note—\n> > \n> > The [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Registration of relationships","content":"# Part 2 Registration of relationships\n\nPart 2 Registration of relationships","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Eligibility for registration","content":"#### 5 Eligibility for registration\n\n5 Eligibility for registration\n\n> > (1) Two adults who are in a relationship as a couple, regardless of their sex, may apply to the Registrar for registration of their relationship.\n> \n> > (2) A relationship cannot be registered unless at least one of the adults resides in New South Wales.\n> \n> > (3) A relationship cannot be registered if:\n> > \n> > > (a) either adult is married, or\n> > \n> > > (b) either adult is registered under this Act or a corresponding law as being in a registered relationship or an interstate registered relationship, or\n> > \n> > > (c) either adult is in a relationship as a couple with another person, or\n> > \n> > > (d) the adults are related by family.\n> \n> > (4) Two adults are related by family if:\n> > \n> > > (a) one is the child (including an adopted child) of the other, or\n> > \n> > > (b) one is another descendant of the other (even if the relationship between them is traced through an adoptive parent), or\n> > \n> > > (c) they have a parent in common (including an adoptive parent of either or both of them).\n> \n> > (5) Subsection (4) applies:\n> > \n> > > (a) even if an adoption has been declared void or is of no effect, and\n> > \n> > > (b) to adoptions under the law of any place (whether in or out of Australia) relating to the adoption of children.\n> \n> > (6) Subsection (4) applies in relation to a child whose parentage is transferred as a result of a parentage order, or an Interstate parentage order, within the meaning of the [Surrogacy Act 2010](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2010-102) in the same way as it applies in relation to an adopted child, even if the parentage order is discharged or otherwise ceases to have effect. For that purpose, a reference in that subsection to an adoptive parent is to be read as a reference to a person to whom the parentage of a child is transferred under such a parentage order.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 2010 No 102, Sch 2.6.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications for registration","content":"#### 6 Applications for registration\n\n6 Applications for registration\n\n> An application for registration of a relationship is to be made in the form approved by the Registrar and must be accompanied by the following:\n> \n> > (a) a statutory declaration by each person in the relationship stating the following:\n> > \n> > > (i) that the person wishes to register the relationship,\n> > \n> > > (ii) that the person is in a relationship as a couple with the other person,\n> > \n> > > (iii) that the person is not married,\n> > \n> > > (iv) that the person is not registered under this Act or a corresponding law as being in a registered relationship or an interstate registered relationship,\n> > \n> > > (v) that the person is not in a relationship as a couple with a person other than the other applicant,\n> > \n> > > (vi) that the person does or does not reside in New South Wales,\n> > \n> > > (vii) that the person is not related to the other applicant by family,\n> \n> > (b) evidence of the identity and age of each person in the relationship,\n> \n> > (c) the fee prescribed by the regulations,\n> \n> > (d) any other documents and information prescribed by the regulations.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registrar may require further information","content":"#### 7 Registrar may require further information\n\n7 Registrar may require further information\n\n> The Registrar may require applicants for registration of a relationship to provide any further information that the Registrar requires to determine the application.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cooling off period for registration","content":"#### 8 Cooling off period for registration\n\n8 Cooling off period for registration\n\n> > (1) The Registrar must not register a relationship before the end of the cooling off period for the registration application.\n> \n> > (2) An applicant for registration of a relationship may withdraw the application before the relationship is registered by giving the Registrar a withdrawal notice in the form approved by the Registrar.\n> \n> > (3) The cooling off period for a registration application is the period ending 28 days after the application is made.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Determination of registration applications","content":"#### 9 Determination of registration applications\n\n9 Determination of registration applications\n\n> The Registrar must register a relationship in the Register as soon as practicable after the end of the cooling off period, if the Registrar is satisfied that the relationship may be registered under this Act and the application has not been withdrawn.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> Part 8 of the [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1995-062) provides for the registration of relationships in the Register, including correction of the Register, access to information in the Register and the issue of certificates and other services provided by the Registrar relating to registrable events.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"End of registration of relationships","content":"# Part 3 End of registration of relationships\n\nPart 3 End of registration of relationships","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Revocation of registration by events","content":"#### 10 Revocation of registration by events\n\n10 Revocation of registration by events\n\n> The registration of a registered relationship is revoked in the following circumstances:\n> \n> > (a) on the death of a person in the relationship,\n> \n> > (b) on the marriage of a person in the relationship.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"10A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Certain registrations revoked on recognition of same sex marriages","content":"#### 10A Certain registrations revoked on recognition of same sex marriages\n\n10A Certain registrations revoked on recognition of same sex marriages\n\n> > (1) This section applies to a registered relationship existing immediately before the recognition day if a person in the registered relationship was party to a recognised same sex marriage on the recognition day.\n> \n> > (2) To avoid doubt, the registration of a registered relationship to which this section applies was revoked on the recognition day.\n> \n> > (3) In this section:\n> > \n> > recognised same sex marriage means a marriage that:\n> > \n> > > (a) was solemnised before the recognition day, and\n> > \n> > > (b) was recognised in Australia as valid on the recognition day because of Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the [Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017](http://www.legislation.gov.au/) of the Commonwealth, and\n> > \n> > > (c) would not have been recognised apart from that Part.\n> > \n> > recognition day means the day on which Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the [Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017](http://www.legislation.gov.au/) of the Commonwealth commenced.\n> \n> **s 10A:** Ins 2018 No 28, Sch 7.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications for revocation of registration by parties","content":"#### 11 Applications for revocation of registration by parties\n\n11 Applications for revocation of registration by parties\n\n> > (1) One or both persons in a registered relationship may apply to the Registrar to revoke the registration of the relationship.\n> \n> > (2) The application is to be in the form approved by the Registrar and to be accompanied by the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) a statutory declaration by at least one of the persons stating that the person wishes to revoke the registration,\n> > \n> > > (b) if only one person makes the application, proof of service of notice of the application on the other person and particulars of that notice,\n> > \n> > > (c) the fee prescribed by the regulations,\n> > \n> > > (d) any other documents and information prescribed by the regulations.\n> \n> > (3) The Registrar may dispense with the obligation to give notice of the application to the other person, or approve alternative means of giving notice, if the Registrar is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable to give notice of the application in the manner required by or under this Act.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cooling off period for revocation applications","content":"#### 12 Cooling off period for revocation applications\n\n12 Cooling off period for revocation applications\n\n> > (1) The Registrar must not revoke the registration of a relationship before the end of the cooling off period for a revocation application.\n> \n> > (2) An applicant for revocation of registration of a relationship may withdraw the application before the registration is revoked by giving the Registrar a withdrawal notice in the form approved by the Registrar.\n> \n> > (3) The cooling off period for a revocation application is the period ending 90 days after the application is made.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Revocation on application by one or both persons","content":"#### 13 Revocation on application by one or both persons\n\n13 Revocation on application by one or both persons\n\n> The Registrar must revoke the registration of a registered relationship as soon as practicable after the end of the cooling off period, if an application is made in accordance with this Part and the Registrar is satisfied that the application has not been withdrawn.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Void registrations","content":"#### 14 Void registrations\n\n14 Void registrations\n\n> > (1) Registration of a registered relationship is void if:\n> > \n> > > (a) when the relationship was registered, registration under this Act was prohibited, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the agreement of one or both of the persons in the relationship to the registration was obtained by fraud, duress or other improper means, or\n> > \n> > > (c) when the relationship was registered, either party was mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the registration.\n> \n> > (2) Any court may, of its own motion, make an order declaring the registration of a registered relationship void by operation of this section if a question arises in proceedings as to the registration.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notation of revocation or void registration in Register","content":"#### 15 Notation of revocation or void registration in Register\n\n15 Notation of revocation or void registration in Register\n\n> If the registration of a registered relationship is revoked or is void, the Registrar must note that fact on the Register.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Recognition of interstate registered relationships","content":"#### 16 Recognition of interstate registered relationships\n\n16 Recognition of interstate registered relationships\n\n> The regulations may declare that a class of relationships registered or recognised under a corresponding law are interstate registered relationships for the purposes of this Act.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"16A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registrar may provide celebratory services","content":"#### 16A Registrar may provide celebratory services\n\n16A Registrar may provide celebratory services\n\n> > (1) The Registrar may, at the request of an applicant for registration, provide or arrange for the provision of celebratory services in connection with registration of the person’s relationship under this Act.\n> \n> > (2) The Registrar may charge a fee for providing or arranging for the provision of those services.\n> \n> > (3) If the regulations do not prescribe a fee for providing or arranging for the provision of those services, the fee (if any) for those services is the fee fixed by negotiation between the Registrar and the person who requests the services.\n> \n> **s 16A:** Ins 2018 No 87, Sch 1.22.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 17 Regulations\n\n17 Regulations\n\n> > (1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.\n> \n> > (2) In particular, regulations may be made for or with respect to the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) prescribing fees for the purposes of this Act,\n> > \n> > > (b) the refund or waiver of fees under this Act,\n> > \n> > > (c) the notification of registrations under this Act, or related events, to relevant registration authorities in other States or Territories,\n> > \n> > > (d) notes on the Register about interstate registered relationships,\n> > \n> > > (e) the service of notices under this Act.\n> \n> > (3) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications to Civil and Administrative Tribunal for administrative review","content":"#### 18 Applications to Civil and Administrative Tribunal for administrative review\n\n18 Applications to Civil and Administrative Tribunal for administrative review\n\n> A person may apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the [Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-076) of a decision of the Registrar made in the exercise or purported exercise of functions under this Act.\n> \n> **s 18:** Subst 2013 No 95, Sch 2.128.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of information","content":"#### 19 Disclosure of information\n\n19 Disclosure of information\n\n> A person must not disclose any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act unless that disclosure is made:\n> \n> > (a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained, or\n> \n> > (b) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act, or\n> \n> > (c) for the purposes of any legal proceedings arising out of this Act or of any report of any such proceedings, or\n> \n> > (d) in accordance with a requirement imposed under the [Ombudsman Act 1974](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1974-068), or\n> \n> > (e) with other lawful excuse.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment, or both.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nature of proceedings for offences","content":"#### 20 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n20 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n> Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Review of Act","content":"#### 21 Review of Act\n\n21 Review of Act\n\n> > (1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.\n> \n> > (2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.\n> \n> > (3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings, transitional and other provisions","content":"# Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions\n\nSchedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 2\n\nSchedules 2, 3 (Repealed)\n\n**sch 2:** Am 1987 No 15, sec 30C. Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C.\n\n**sch 3:** Rep 1987 No 15, sec 30C.","sortOrder":30}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"source":"grok-batch-everything"},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act was originally enacted to extend legal recognition to same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples who did not wish to marry. Following the Commonwealth's legalisation of same-sex marriage, the insertion of s 10A (by 2018 No 28) automatically revoked pre-existing registered relationships upon recognition of a same-sex marriage, narrowing the practical ongoing scope of the register primarily to couples who choose not to marry while preserving the formal recognition framework."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed eligibility criteria in s 5 with layered exclusions for marriage, prior registrations, concurrent relationships and family relationships (including adoptive and surrogacy parentage transfers)","Cross-references to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995, Surrogacy Act 2010, Interpretation Act 1987, Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 and Commonwealth Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017","Separate cooling-off periods (28 days for registration under s 8, 90 days for revocation under s 12) with specific withdrawal mechanisms","Multiple pathways for ending registration (automatic revocation under s 10 and s 10A, application-based under s 11–13, voidness under s 14)","Regulatory powers in s 17 and s 16 that allow prescription of corresponding laws and fees, plus administrative review and offence provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"**The Relationships Register Act 2010** lets two adults in a couple (regardless of gender) officially record their relationship with the NSW government. Once registered, the couple gains legal recognition that can affect areas like inheritance, superannuation, hospital decision-making, and certain government benefits.\n\nTo register, at least one partner must live in NSW, neither can be married or already in another registered relationship, and they cannot be close family members (such as parent and child or siblings). The process involves a statutory declaration, identity documents, a 28-day cooling-off period, and payment of a fee. Registration can end automatically if one partner dies or marries, or by mutual application after a 90-day cooling-off period.\n\nThe law also recognises similar registrations from other Australian states and territories, and includes rules to protect personal information and allow appeals to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It matters because it gives unmarried couples a simple, formal way to prove their commitment and access associated legal rights without getting married."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The text as supplied includes later inserted and substituted provisions that alter the Act’s operation from its original text. Notably, section 10A (inserted) treats certain registered relationships as revoked on the recognition day when a person in the registered relationship was party to a recognised same‑sex marriage (s 10A). Section 16A (inserted) authorises the Registrar to provide/arrange celebratory services and charge negotiated fees where regulations do not prescribe a fee (s 16A). Section 18 is shown as a substitution (s 18 note). These inserted/substituted provisions change the practical scope or administration of the Act compared with its original enactment and the regulations power (s 17) and the provision for recognition of interstate registered relationships (s 16) provide mechanisms by which the Act’s reach can be further altered by subordinate instruments."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple procedural steps and documentary requirements for applications and revocations (s 6, s 11)","Different cooling‑off periods and withdrawal rights for registration and revocation (s 8, s 12)","Discretionary powers of the Registrar to request further information and to dispense with notice requirements (s 7, s 11(3))","Cross‑references to external legislation and to the Registrar/ Register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (s 4 definition, s 9 note)","Regulations power that can add substantive procedural rules, fees, interstate recognition, and offences (s 16, s 17)","Penalties and confidentiality provisions with different penalty scales (s 17(3), s 19)","Amendments and inserted sections that change effect (e.g. ss 10A, 16A) requiring attention to historical modifications"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates a formal process for two adults to register their relationship in NSW and obtain legal recognition as a couple. It sets eligibility, application and evidence requirements, fees, cooling‑off and revocation/voiding procedures, and makes the Registrar responsible for the public Register and decision‑making. Regulations, privacy protections with criminal penalties, and tribunal review govern implementation and disputes, affecting applicants, the Registrar and government administrators."},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act has been amended at least six times since its commencement in May 2010, with significant updates in 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2019. This pattern of amendments suggests the scope has evolved — most likely expanding to reflect the legalisation of same-sex marriage federally in 2017, which would have required updating how the register interacts with marriage law, and potentially adjusting eligibility criteria or recognition provisions. Without access to the full amendment history, the precise nature of scope changes cannot be confirmed, but the frequency of amendments indicates meaningful evolution from the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Interaction between state and federal law regarding relationship recognition creates potential confusion for users","Multiple amendments since 2010 mean the current version differs from the original, requiring cross-referencing","Dual ministerial responsibility (Attorney General and Minister for Customer Service) adds administrative complexity","The interplay with de facto relationship law and other state/territory relationship recognition schemes adds legal nuance","Note: The actual substantive provisions of the Act are not reproduced in the provided text, limiting full complexity assessment — the metadata and navigation elements dominate the provided content"],"plain_english_summary":"## NSW Relationships Register Act 2010\n\n**What is this?**\nThis is a New South Wales law that establishes an official government register (a formal list) where couples can record their relationship. It allows two people in a committed relationship — including same-sex couples — to have their partnership formally recognised by the state government, even if they are not married.\n\n**Who does this affect?**\n- Couples in NSW (including same-sex couples) who want official recognition of their relationship\n- People who may need proof of their relationship status for legal, medical, or financial purposes\n- Government agencies and businesses that need to verify relationship status\n\n**Why does it matter?**\nBefore same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia (2017), this kind of register was one of the few ways same-sex couples could get any official recognition of their relationship. Even today, registration can be useful because it:\n- Provides straightforward legal proof of your relationship (useful for things like hospital visitation rights, next-of-kin decisions, or financial matters)\n- Creates a formal record that is harder to dispute than simply claiming you are in a de facto relationship (a live-in partnership that isn't a marriage)\n- May be recognised in other Australian states and territories under mutual recognition arrangements\n\n**How does it work?**\nCouples apply to register their relationship. The registration is recorded in an official register maintained by the NSW government. There are processes for registering, changing details, and ending a registration.\n\n**Important limitations to know:**\nThis is a *state* law, not a federal (national) law, so its recognition outside NSW may vary. It does not give you the same rights as marriage under federal law.\n\n**Who oversees it?**\nThe Attorney General and the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government are responsible for this law."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010","history":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010/history","analysis":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/relationships-register-act-2010/documents"}}