Note:  All quoted payment Fees in the Toolkits are correct as at 1 July 2025 and are subject to future bi-annual and annual increases.

NEW !  

A Statutory Declaration - NSW Birth Certificate - NSW Photo Card Fee Waiver template # for those over 18 years of age.

NEW !  

A Request for Consideration of a Free NSW Photo Card template # for those over 16 years of age and under 18 years of age.

# Please appreciate that any final decision to waive or refund any fees is at the absolute discretion of NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages, Transport for NSW and Service NSW. 

 Frequently asked Questions

Where do I find the Study Material to get my NSW Learner Driver Licence?

It's on the last page in the NSW Learner Driver Licence Toolkit above, or you can download the page by clicking here: Driver Knowledge Test - Study Material.  

Good luck!

Hey, I know I can't get my Driver's Licence back until I get a payment plan going or pay my outstanding Fines with Revenue NSW, but can I get one of those NSW Photo Cards instead from Service NSW?

Yes!  Click onto the NSW Photo Card Toolkit link above to see what you need and have to do to get yourself a Photo Card.  

Please don't let outstanding Fines stop you from getting your Driver's Licence back or Car Registration cancelled!

For you or anyone else with any outstanding Fines, no matter how big or small, contact Revenue NSW on 1300 138 118 to arrange a mutually agreeable Payment Plan; or if eligible, have your fine reduced or written-off;  or if eligible, enter into a Work and Development Order to reduce your fine by up to $1,000 a month by doing unpaid work, courses, counselling or treatment programs. 

Revenue NSW have dedicated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Support Officers in their First Nations Team who can provide you with options and understanding to help you with your individual situation in a culturally safe way. 

Good luck!

Are there any guides on how I can submit a claim for a fee free NSW Birth Certificate from BDM and a NSW Photo Card on behalf of one of my vulnerable clients?

There is a guide if you click the Legal Aid NSW link below or you may wish to use this new Statutory Declaration - NSW Birth Certificate - NSW Photo Card Fee Waiver template for those of your clients who are over 18 years of age - this is the age you have to be to sign a NSW Statutory Declaration.

For those of your clients over 16 years of age and under 18 years of age, you may wish to use this new Request for Consideration of a Free NSW Photo Card template.

Note: To apply for a NSW Birth Certificate you have to be over 18 years of age - click on and read our Birth Certificate Toolkit above.

Good luck!

I am trying to get out of homelessness and couch surfing with friends; if I don’t have the money, can I get my NSW Birth Certificate to get my NSW Photo Card?

Absolutely!

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has a terrific Fee Waiver Policy where No Fee Applications for a NSW Birth Certificate will be accepted in cases where the applicant is experiencing financial hardship, vulnerable and who is sleeping rough, including those who are homeless.

This same No Fee Waiver Policy is also for:

• a person who is currently a victim of and/or directly impacted by domestic violence

• a child under 18 years of age who is currently living in poverty or experiencing significant disadvantage 

• a person suffering from a long-term chronic debilitating illness

• a person who has experienced a personal disaster, e.g., house fire resulting in destruction of all personal property, within six months of the event occurring

• a person who is incarcerated or being released from a correctional facility.

It’s all set out here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/births-deaths-marriages/about-registry/fee-waiver-policy.

Also, Legal Aid NSW and some Employment Services may also be able to assist with No Fee Applications or funds for a NSW Birth Certificate.

In other good news, once you get a NSW Birth Certificate, if you still want to get yourself a NSW Photo Card, Service NSW has a similar No Fee Waiver Policy for young and vulnerable people in your situation; all you need to do is ask the Manager at any Service NSW Centre. 

For further assistance, check out under 'NEW' above our Statutory Declaration - NSW Birth Certificate - NSW Photo Card Fee Waiver template for those over 18 years of age and if you are over 16 years of age and under 18 years of age, check out our Request for Consideration of a Free NSW Photo Card template.  Please appreciate that any final decision to waive or refund any fees is at the absolute discretion of NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages, Transport for NSW and Service NSW.

Good luck!

What if I’m not sure if my partner registered our child; can I still apply for a NSW Birth Certificate?

Yes you can.  

In NSW, Births must be registered with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 60 days of the birth and is FREE.

However, if a Birth has not been registered for whatever reason, you won't be able to get a Birth Certificate which is often necessary for various applications and purposes, such as seeking Centrelink benefits, Childcare and School enrolments and when older, a NSW Photo Card and NSW Learner Driver Licence.

While late registration is not desirable, it may require more documentation to be provided and could take longer to be processed.  

Please don't panic,  the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages are very helpful in making sure that all forms of Births are registered correctly in NSW.

If you’re not sure if your child was registered, you may wish to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 and ask to speak to NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for further advice regarding your specific situation.  

Alternatively,  if you would like a reply in writing, email NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages directly at: bdm-webmail@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

Once a child is registered or found to be already registered, you can apply for a NSW Birth Certificate by clicking on and downloading the Birth Certificate Toolkit above and following the instructions as set out.  

Good luck!

 Any documents and advice on this website is general in nature and may not take into account someone's personal and financial circumstances.