Registering a relationship
In Queensland, couples of any sex can register a relationship. People may want to do this as a sign of commitment, or for legal reasons.
A registered relationship is not a marriage.
To register a relationship:
- You and your partner must both be over the age of 18
- You must not be married or already in a registered relationship.
- You must not be in a relationship with a lineal ancestor, descendent, sibling or half sibling.
If the Registrar will not register your relationship, you can have Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) review the decision.
How to register
To register your relationship:
- Read the application form .
- Complete the application form .
- Include statutory declarations.
- Provide evidence that you live in Queensland.
- Attach certified identity documents.
Processing your application includes a 10 day registration period. You can also stop the application during the processing time.
You do not automatically receive a certificate after registering your relationship. If you’d like a certificate, you need to complete the application form and pay the fee.
How to apply
To apply for a relationship certificate, you must:
- Complete the certificate application form .
- Include proof of eligibility.
- Attach all necessary certified identity documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Pay the urgent fee (if required).
- Pay the return postage fee (if required).
Get it right
Remember to:
- calculate the return postage
- total all fees in 1 payment
- check your credit card details and expiry date
- certify identity documents
- include eligibility documents
- allow extra time for Australia Post.
By post
Post your registration to:
Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Once registered, certificates can take up to 10 business days—or 2 business days for urgent applications.
Over the counter
Visit the Brisbane Registry at 110 George Street to apply. Certificates will be ready after 2.30pm the next business day. Urgent certificates are ready in 3 hours (or the next business day if you apply after 1.30pm).
If you don’t live in Brisbane, you can apply to register your relationship at your local Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office. Registration and certificates can take up to 10 business days by post or 2 business days for urgent applications.
Australia Post delivery times
Add extra time for postage to your application.
Fees
- Registered relationship certificate (standard postage included)—$39
Payment methods
Pay by cash, cheque, credit card (Visa and MasterCard) or money order. Make cheques or money orders payable to the ‘Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages’.
Postage fee
Postage is included when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can request to have your certificate posted by express or registered post. The cost is:
- Express post—$5.25
- Registered mail—$3.90
- Air mail—$2.35
- International registered post—$13.20
- International express post—$14.05
- International Air Mail for commemorative certificates—$7.75
Australian passport office
You can pay an additional $6.20 fee to get your certificate faxed to the Australian passport office. Certificates faxed by 4:30pm the next business day or the same business day when the urgent fee is paid.
The Brisbane Registry, your local Magistrate Court or QGAP office offers this service.
Proof of eligibility
You can apply for a registered relationship certificate for yourself or on behalf of another person.
If you are not applying for yourself, you need written approval from the person you are applying for.
Learn how to be eligible to apply for another person’s registered relationship certificate.
Proof of ID (identification)
The ID you provide must be current and include a photo and signature. It must show your current address.
You must provide at least 1 form of ID from each category below, or, provide 2 forms of ID from community and 1 from home address evidence category below which includes a signature.
Types of ID (categories)
Personal ID
- Driver licence
- Australian passport
- Overseas passport
- Firearms licence
- Defence force and police service identification card
- Proof of Age card
Community ID
- Medicare card
- Debit or credit card
- Entitlement card from the federal or state government
- Student card or statement of enrolment
- School or other educational report from the last 12 months
- Identity document from the passport office
- Naturalisation, citizenship or immigration papers
- Full birth certificate
- Security guard licence
Home address evidence
- Gas, electricity, home phone, car registration or rates account
- Bank statement
- Rent or lease agreement
- Driver licence renewal notice
- Official government letter not from this agency
Certified and translated identity documents
Certify identity documents with a:
- justice of the peace
- commissioner for declarations
- barrister or solicitor
- notary public.
Translating and interpreting services
For documents not in English, you must provide a translation from a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NATTI).
For more information
You can ask Births, deaths and marriages about registering your relationship.
Online
Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au. Allow 2 business days for online enquiries.
By phone
Call 1300 366 430 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm).
