Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 - SECT 15

Responsibility to have a birth registered

15. Responsibility to have a birth registered



(1) The parents of a child are jointly responsible for having the child's
birth registered under this Act and must both sign the birth registration
statement but the Registrar may accept a birth registration statement from one
of the parents if satisfied that it is not practicable to obtain the
signatures of both parents on the birth registration statement.

(2) If a child is a foundling, the person who has custody of the child is
responsible for having the child's birth registered.

(3) The Registrar may accept a birth registration statement from a person who
is not responsible for having the child's birth registered if satisfied that-

   (a)  the person lodging the statement has knowledge of the relevant facts;
        and

   (b)  the child's parents are unable or unlikely to lodge a birth
        registration statement.