Birth records are primary source records because they are created at or close to the time of the birth by someone who was there. However, birth records are sometimes the most difficult to obtain due to privacy regulations. In Australia, most States adhere to the 100-year closure rule for birth records.
Commonly, there are three types of birth certificates:
Birth records usually record:
Original – the record filed at birth.
Amended – a birth record that has been revised from the original to reflect corrections or new information.
Delayed – a certificate issued years after the birth because an original birth certificate was not filed.
Birth records usually record:
- name of child
- gender
- date and place of birth
- mother’s name (sometimes including maiden name)
- father’s name
They may also contain the occupations of the father or of both parents.