ACTIn ForceAct
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997
9How to have the birth of a child registered
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9 How to have the birth of a child registered
(1) A person has the birth of a child registered under this Act by signing
and lodging with the registrar-general a birth registration statement
that sets out the particulars that the registrar-general requires for the
purpose of registering the birth.
(2) However, the registrar-general may accept a birth registration
statement—
(a) that is signed by only 1 of the parents, if satisfied that—
(i) it is not practicable to obtain the signature of the other
parent; or
(ii) the parent who signed is the birth parent of a stillborn child,
who has decided under section 8 (2) to register the birth of
the child; or
(b) that does not set out particulars required under subsection (1), if
satisfied that it is not practicable to obtain the missing
particulars.
(3) If the registrar-general accepts a birth registration statement for a
child under subsection (2), a person’s obligation to have the child’s
birth registered under this Act is taken to be discharged.
(4) The registrar-general must not accept a birth registration statement
from a person who is not responsible for having a child’s birth
registered under this Act unless the registrar-general is satisfied
(a) the person lodging the statement has knowledge of the
particulars set out in the statement; and
(b) neither of the child’s parents is able or likely to lodge a birth
registration statement.
(5) The registrar-general must not refuse to accept a birth registration
statement only because it is not lodged within 6 months after the day
of the birth.