Access to cultural recognition order records
If you are looking for records about a cultural recognition order that relates to you, you can apply to us with authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) to access the records.
Information held by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages about cultural recognition orders (CRO) is legally and culturally sensitive. The Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020 sets out a specific process for certain people to access certificates and information about a cultural recognition order.
To get certificates and information an eligible person must have authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa), before applying to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
This page explains how a person with authorisation may apply to us for:
- pre-CRO certificate or information—original birth certificate of a person subject to a CRO
- information held to register a CRO
- information about the birth parents of a person subject to a CRO.
A person who is subject to a CRO doesn’t need authorisation to get their official birth certificate.
It also provides information about the fees for these services and how to contact us or submit your application to us.
Getting authorisation
Before you apply to us, you need to contact the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) and ask for the Commissioner's authorisation to access certificates and information.
The following people can ask for authorisations:
- an applicant on the CRO
- the person who was the subject of a CRO (once they turn 18)
- a guardian for the above person(s).
Find out how to get the Commissioner's authorisation.
If you get authorisation you will receive a letter allowing you to purchase a certificate and/or information from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Authorisation is not needed to get a post-CRO birth certificate. This is the official birth certificate that the subject of the CRO can use for identity purposes.
Find out how to apply for an official birth certificate.
Accessing pre-CRO certificates or information
When a CRO is registered, the original birth certificate for the person is closed and can't be accessed without authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa). We call this ‘pre-CRO’ information.
A person may apply for documents the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) has authorised them to receive—including certificates, information, source documents, and a copy of the cultural recognition order.
Pre-CRO certificates or information can't be used for identification purposes and are stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
Accessing post-CRO certificates or information
When a CRO is registered, a new birth certificate is made for the person who was the subject of the CRO, which contains details of the cultural parents and not the birth parents. We call this new birth certificate ‘post-CRO’ information. The official birth certificate of the person subject to the CRO is created from post-CRO information and can be used for identification purposes.
Cultural parents and the subject of the CRO do not need authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) to buy a post-CRO birth certificate.
Birth parents require authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) to access post-CRO certificates or information.
Getting a birth parent’s certificate
A person who was the subject of a CRO may wish to learn more about their birth parents.
They can apply for their birth parents’ Queensland birth certificate(s) if they have authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa).
The certificate we issue can't be used for identification purposes and will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
Searching for more information
With authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa), you can choose to find out what Queensland marriage and death information is available for:
- the person who was the subject of a CRO
- their birth parents.
If the person you are looking for was married or passed away outside of Queensland, we will not have this information.
Information available
Search results for a marriage will include:
- parties' names
- date and place
- address of the relevant person(s) at time of marriage
Search results for a death will include:
- name
- date and place
- cause of death
- burial or cremation details.
If the birth father (or parent) is not shown on the entry in the birth register, we may not be able to search for the marriage or death information.
How to apply
To apply for eligible certificates and information:
- Get an authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa).
- Fill in the cultural recognition order information application form.
- Have your proof of ID documents and the authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Submit your application form, authorisation and proof of ID documents to us by post or in person.
- We will review your application and advise you of the total amount for your order (and how to pay).
Fill in the access to CRO records application form
Submit by post
Post your completed application form with your certified copy of the authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) and supporting documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Submit in person
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane with the completed application form, your original authorisation from the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) and original proof of ID documents.
Pay the fee
The total estimated cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online. We will email you after we have reviewed your application with the correct amount. You can pay:
- online
- by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
- at the customer service centre
- by EFTPOS or credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- through the mail
- within Australia
- by credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- from overseas
- by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-cultural recognition order certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
| Photocopy of the cultural recognition order (certification and standard postage included) | $123.50 |
| Official birth certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
| Search fee (under 1 name for each event) | $27.10 |
| Each additional name searched (for each event) | $27.10 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $7.45 |
| Registered post | $5.55 |
| International registered mail | $17.70 |
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Contact us
Online: our general enquiry form.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.