The NSW Government has today revealed a preview of the state’s new Digital Birth Certificate ahead of its release next year.
Planned for initial release to people aged 16 to 21, the Government says the Digital Birth Certificate has been built to the international standard and will be available within the Service NSW app.
“We are making it safer, simpler and faster to confirm your identity through the release of the Digital Birth Certificate,” said Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib.
“Not only will it help you prove your identity, it will safeguard your information and give you more control of your personal data through better consent and privacy measures.
“The Digital Birth Certificate means you will have access to this important document anytime, wherever you are, and removes the issue of where to safely keep a paper copy.”
A Digital Birth Certificate provides secure access to this vital identity document and will allow the user greater control over which information they share and who they share it with, said the Minister.
“During natural disasters, we often help people whose birth certificates and other documents have been destroyed; a digital version provides a solution for those who need to verify their identity quickly to access services and apply for grants, rather than waiting for a replacement and delaying timely support,” he said.
In the first stage of the roll-out planned for March 2026, the Digital Birth Certificate will be made available to 16–21-year-olds born in NSW who hold a photo card or driver licence.
Service NSW and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages are engaging industry leaders to ensure the document will be widely accepted in future by government, businesses, schools, clubs and sporting organisations, making it easier to register and apply for services people need.
“The Digital Birth Certificate will be easily accessible in the Service NSW app,” said Acting Secretary of the Department of Customer Service, Greg Wells.
“A birth certificate is a vital part of a person’s legal identity. The Digital Birth Certificate will help keep your identity protected by reducing the need to share a paper copy.”
Young adults with a Digital Birth Certificate will initially be able to use it at Service NSW centres to apply for certain NSW Government transactions like the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) competency card.
The Digital Birth Certificate will be optional for those who are eligible to participate.
