Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages: Fees Schedule | Identification Requirements Policy | Registrar's Access Policy

What are the Office hours?

The Births, Deaths and Marriages Darwin and Alice Springs Offices are open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Business hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm (ACST).

How much do certificates cost?

Certificates for Northern Territory registrations can be purchased at a cost of AU$25.00. Payments can be made by either cash, cheque, money order, EFTPOS or credit card. All cheques should be made payable to 'Receiver of Territory Monies' (RTM).

Overseas customers must pay in Australian dollars by way of an international money order or bank draft. Payment by credit card is accepted, namely Bankcard, Mastercard or Visa. See the Fees Schedule (in Related Pages).

How does a person apply for a birth, death, marriage or change of name certificate?

Applications must be in writing and forwarded to the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages by mail or by facsimile (faxing is only available if the applicant is paying by Bankcard, Mastercard or Visa). Alternatively, an applicant can apply in person to the Darwin or Alice Springs public counters. Application forms are available at the Offices or on this website. Applications are subject to the Identification Requirements Policy and the Registrar's Access Policy (see in Related Pages)

What are the requirements for a change of name?

Applications for change of name may be made by:

• Any person 18 years of age or over and who was either born in the Northern Territory or currently resides in the Northern Territory.
• The parents or legal guardians on behalf of a child under 18 years.

An application to register a change of name of an adult is available from the Registry Office or on this website.An application to register a change of name of a child is available from the Office upon request.

A woman may revert to her maiden surname at any time. Many women do this following divorce or separation. If proof of the new name is required, it may be sufficient for a woman to produce her birth certificate and a copy of her marriage certificate to show the connection between both names. A statutory declaration stating that she is reverting to her maiden surname or a former married name may be necessary depending on the purpose for which the proof of change of name is required.

Statutory declarations can be obtained from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Office. In cases where this process is not accepted, an applicant may need to register a formal name change.

How can a mistake on a certificate be changed?

In some cases it may be necessary to make amendments to an entry in a Register or Certificate, particularly in the case of spelling mistakes. Contact the Office if there is a problem with a certificate to obtain advice about the process to amend the error.

There may be a fee for amendments to the Register if information given at the time of registration was incorrect.

Documentary evidence will be required in some instances such as a marriage or birth certificate of a parent.

A replacement certificate will be issued in exchange for the old certificate. Depending on the nature of the error, a replacement fee may be charged.

Can a person obtain a certificate to say he or she has not been married before?

Yes, this is called a 'No Record Result' or a 'Letter of No Impediment' to a marriage. It is quite common for people who wish to be married overseas to be asked to obtain such a certificate when making their marriage arrangements. See the Fees Schedule (in Related Pages).

Where can people get a list of Civil Marriage Celebrants?

Northern Territory Celebrants can be found in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under the heading "Celebrants". Alternatively, there is a list of Celebrants at the Births, Deaths and Marriages Offices.

 

 

For further information, email RegistrarGeneral.DOJ@nt.gov.au