4Definitions

#### 4 Definitions 4 Definitions > > (1) In this Act— > > > > adult means a person who is 18 or above or, although under 18, is or has been married. > > > > birth includes a stillbirth. > > > > birth certificate means a certificate issued under section 49 in relation to a person’s birth. > > > > birth registration statement see section 14. > > > > change of name includes an addition, omission or substitution. > > > > child includes a stillborn child. > > > > corresponding law means a law of another State that provides for the registration of births, deaths and marriages. > > > > death does not include a stillbirth. > > > > disposal of human remains means— > > > > > (a) cremation of the remains, or > > > > > (b) burial of the remains (including burial at sea), or > > > > > (c) placing the remains in a mausoleum or other permanent resting place, or > > > > > (d) placing the remains in the custody of an educational or scientific institution for the purpose of medical education or research, or > > > > > (e) removal of the remains from the State (but not if the remains have been cremated or are taken from the State by sea and buried at sea in the course of the voyage). > > > > exercise a function includes perform a duty. > > > > function includes a power, authority or duty. > > > > funeral director means a person who carries on the business of arranging for the disposal of human remains. > > > > prohibited name means a name that— > > > > > (a) is obscene or offensive, or > > > > > (b) could not practicably be established by repute or usage— > > > > > > > (i) because it is too long, or > > > > > > > (ii) because it consists of or includes symbols without phonetic significance, or > > > > > > > (iii) for some other reason, or > > > > > (c) includes or resembles an official title or rank, or > > > > > (d) is contrary to the public interest for some other reason. > > > > recognition certificate, for Part 5A—see section 32A. > > > > registrable event means a birth, adoption or discharge of adoption, change of name, change of sex, death or marriage. > > > > registrable information means information that must or may be included in the Register1. > > > > Register see section 43. > > > > registering authority means an authority responsible under a corresponding law for the registration of births, deaths and marriages. > > > > Registrar means a Public Service senior executive, within the meaning of the [Government Sector Employment Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2013-040), employed as the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. > > > > sex descriptor, for Part 5A—see section 32A. > > > > State includes a Territory. > > > > stillbirth means the birth of a stillborn child. > > > > stillborn child means a child that exhibits no sign of respiration or heartbeat, or other sign of life, after birth and that— > > > > > (a) is of at least 20 weeks’ gestation, or > > > > > (b) if it cannot be reliably established whether the period of gestation is more or less than 20 weeks, has a body mass of at least 400 grams at birth. > > > > Note. > > > > 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. > > > (2) Notes in the text of this Act do not form part of this Act. > > Note. > > 1See section 43 (2) > > **s 4:** Am 2008 No 107, Sch 3 \[1\]; 2008 No 53, Sch 1 \[1\]; 2010 No 34, Sch 2.1; 2019 No 14, Sch 1.2\[1\]; 2024 No 71, Sch 1\[1\]; 2025 No 13, Sch 1\[1\]; 2025 No 62, Sch 3\[1\].