Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES REGISTRATION ACT - SECT 4

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears -

"adult" means a person who is 18 or above or, although under 18, is or has been married;

"authorised celebrant" means an authorised celebrant under the Marriage Act 1961 of the Commonwealth;

"birth" includes still-birth;

"change" of name includes an addition, omission or substitution;

"child" includes a still-born child;

"corresponding law" means a law of a State that provides for the registration of births, deaths and marriages;

"Court" means the Supreme Court;

"death" does not include a still-birth;

"Deputy Registrar" means a Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages appointed under section 7;

"disposal" of human remains means -

(a) cremation of the remains;

(b) burial of the remains (including burial at sea);

(c) placing the remains in a mausoleum or other permanent resting place;

(d) placing the remains in the custody of an educational or scientific institution for the purpose of medical education or research; or

(e) removal of the remains from the Territory (but not if the remains have been cremated or are taken from the Territory by sea and buried at sea in the course of the voyage);

"doctor" means a medical practitioner;

"funeral director" means a person who carries on the business of arranging for the disposal of human remains;

"prohibited name" means a name that -

(a) is obscene or offensive;

(b) could not practicably be established by repute or usage -

(i) because it is too long;

(ii) because it consists of or includes symbols without phonetic significance; or

(iii) for some other reason;

(c) includes or resembles an official title or rank; or

(d) is contrary to the public interest for some other reason;

"registrable event" means a birth, change of name or sex, death or marriage;

"registrable information" means information that shall or may be included in the Register;

"Register" means the Register maintained under section 38;

"registering authority" means an authority responsible under a corresponding law for the registration of births, deaths and marriages;

"Registrar" means the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages appointed under section 5;

"State" includes a Territory;

"still-birth" means the birth of a still-born child;

"still-born child" means a child of at least 20 weeks' gestation or with a body mass of at least 400 grams at birth that exhibits no sign of respiration or heartbeat, or other sign of life, after birth.