Cost of birth, death and marriage certificates to soar

The cost of birth, death and marriage certificates is set to soar in Victoria. The fee increase is set to make the legal documents 50 per cent more expensive.

Birth, death and marriage certificates are set to cost more. Picture: Jason Edwards

The cost of birth, death and marriage certificates is set to soar in Victoria, with a new fee increase set to make the legal documents 50 per cent more expensive.

Under charges to come into effect from March 1, the fee for a legal certificate will increase from $34.30 to $51.40.

It comes despite a record number of complaints filed against the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages agency over unprecedented delays.

Last financial year, Ombudsman Deborah Glass received 387 complaints about the registry office which closed its office and call centre temporarily in response to the pandemic.

It marked a 138 per cent increase from the 165 complaints received between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

Most complaints were received about delays in receiving official certificates.

A fee increase will make marriage certificates and other documents 50 per cent more expensive.

The fee increase follows a review of the current fee structure.

A number of issues with the fee increase were raised during the review including that it was inappropriate to raise fees in the wake of the pandemic.

It was also submitted the 50 per cent increase was excessive.

Shadow Treasurer David Davis slammed the move.

“This is Labor’s 40th new or increased tax,” he said.

“Not content to have CPI rises, Daniel Andrews has gone for a 50 per cent increase in his charges for a birth, death or marriage certificate.

“This is a mean new tax, released through gazettal on Monday, with the increased revenue desperately needed to prop up Andrews’ budget currently in a $19.5 billion deficit.

“Make no mistake, Victorians are paying for Daniel Andrews financial incompetence and his mismanagement of so many major projects and waste. Seriously, more tax on births, death and marriages,” he said.

The increased fees for certificates will be the only change to the existing structure.

It will continue to be free to register a birth, death or marriage.

A government spokesperson said despite the increase, Victorian fees were among the lowest in Australia.

“Bringing our fees for birth, death and marriage certificates more in line with other states and territories will ensure that we are able to sustain and improve the delivery of our vital services for Victorians,” she said.

“The new fee for legal certificates better reflects their value as important legal documents that should be kept safe, and covers costs including printing, processing and state-of-the-art secure paper to protect against identity theft.

“We will continue to work with communities and people experiencing disadvantage to ensure that any fee increase does not prevent them from applying for legal certificates, including by reviewing our use of fee waivers. It will continue to be free to register a birth, death or marriage.”