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CLSD Program Partnership

with the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages

The Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) Program and the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages are working together to increase access to fee-free birth certificates for eligible people living in regional, rural and remote NSW. This partnership gives the CLSD Program access to a quota of fee-free certificates each financial year. The quota is shared amongst all 12 CLSD Program regions.

Who is eligible?

People are eligible for a fee-free birth certificate under this partnership who:

  1. Were born in NSW
  2. Receive Centrelink income support at the maximum rate or have no income
  3. Have not received a free birth certificate in the past 12 months, and at least one of the criteria below apply:
  • They are, or have been, in out of home care, or
  • They are a victim of domestic or famiy violence, or
  • They have no or low literacy, or
  • They are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or
  • They have a mental illness or cognitive impairment, or
  • They are under the age of 18 and not employed or engaged in education, or
  • They are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

How can people apply for a birth certificate?

Applications are taken at CLSD events organised by CLSD regional coordinators and partners in each region.  

There are other options for people experiencing disadvantage and who need a free birth certificate. The CLSD fee waiver factsheet (PDF, 629 kb) developed by the CLSD Program outlines the options for obtaining for a free NSW birth certificate, including a program offered by Corrective Services NSW for inmates. The factsheet also covers fee waiver options in the ACT, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

CLSD fee waiver factsheet

CLSD fee waiver factsheet PDF | English | February 2024 | 629 kb

How can I find out if an event is planned near me?

Contact the relevant regional coordinator in your region by visitng the CLSD Program Meeting Calendar and Contacts page.

Can I partner with the CLSD Program to hold an event?

Possibly! Please contact the relevant regional coordinator if you would like to discuss working with the CLSD partnership on an event in your region.

For more information, see CLSD Program Meeting Calendar and Contacts.