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Parenting presumptions and birth registration

Who is presumed to be a parent upon the birth of a child?

A child born to a woman during her marriage or marriage-like relationship with a domestic partner, or within 10 months of the marriage or relationship ending, is generally presumed (in the absence of proof to the contrary) to be the child of its mother and the spouse or domestic partner [see Family Relationships Act 1975 (SA) s 8]. Domestic partner is defined in s 11A to include those in a registered relationship, as well as those who have been living together in a close personal relationship (as a couple on a genuine domestic basis) for 3 years or who have had a child together.

Different presumptions apply where the child is conceived following fertilisation procedures [s 10C]. These serve to recognise the intended parents, rather than the biological parents. See Assisted reproductive treatment for more information.

Who is responsible for registering a birth?

Both parents are jointly responsible for registering the birth of their child with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and both must sign the birth registration statement.

The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages may accept a statement signed by only one parent if satisfied it is impossible, impracticable or inappropriate for the other parent to sign whether because of death, disappearance, ill health, unavailability or the need to avoid unwarranted distress [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 15]. This might include circumstances involving family violence.

If only one parent signs the birth registration statement, they must attach an explanation of why the other parent has not signed. The Registrar has the authority to make further enquiries if not satisfied with the explanation given.

Births, Deaths and Marriages have prepared a useful factsheet for circumstances in which one parent is registering the birth of their child, accessible via the SA Government website.

If a child is born through a lawful surrogacy agreement, an intended parent may apply to the Youth Court to be recognised as a parent [Surrogacy Act 2019 (SA) s 18(1)]. Section 8 of the Surrogacy Act 2019 (SA) states that parenting presumptions under the Family Relationships Act 1975 (SA) continue to apply to a child born as a result of a surrogacy agreement, until a court orders otherwise as to parentage. The Registrar of the Youth Court must then provide the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages with written notice of the order and other details required for the purposes of birth registration [s 21]. For more information about surrogacy, see Surrogacy.

How is a birth registered?

A birth registration statement must be lodged with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 60 days of the child's birth. The maximum penalty for not doing so is $1,250 [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 16(1)].

What if a birth is registered late?

A birth can still be registered outside the 60 day period and the Registrar must accept a birth registration statement even if lodged outside of this period [Birth, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 16(2)].

Information to be included in the birth registration statement

The birth registration statement must include at least the following information [see Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Regulations 2011 (SA) reg 5 for the complete list]:

  • the period of gestation of the child (in weeks) and whether the child was born alive
  • the date and place of birth
  • the child’s sex (if determined)
  • the child’s weight at birth (in grams)
  • the child’s name (this can be provided for a still-born child but is not mandatory)
  • if the child was conceived as a result of assisted reproductive treatment, the name of the biological parent who donated the ovum or semen (the donor), their sex or gender identity and their date of birth and place of birth (if known)
  • if the child was the product of a multiple birth, the total number of children born and the place in the order of birth of the child
  • the names of the child's parents and, if they have changed, their names at birth (or on adoption)
  • other prescribed details about the child's parents.

If a child is born as a result of donor conception, the birth registration statement must state that fact and include details about the identity of the donor (if known) [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 14(2)].

Children conceived as a result of a fertilisation procedure

The Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988 (SA) requires a donor conception register to be kept that records information about donors of human reproductive material used in assisted reproductive treatment under the Act and resulting in the birth of a child [s 15].

The register contains:

  • the donor's full name and nominated contact address
  • the full name and nominated contact address of the person to whom assisted reproductive treatment using the donor's human reproductive material was provided
  • the full name of any child born as a consequence of such assisted reproductive treatment
  • any other information required by the Act or the regulations, and any other information that the Minister thinks fit.

A certificate stating that a donor was, or was not, registered on the donor conception register in relation to the birth of a specified child, and purporting to be signed by the Minister will, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be accepted in legal proceedings as proof of the registration, or of the fact that the person was not so registered [s 15(5)].

See Assisted reproductive treatment for more information about the donor conception register, including rights to access certain information.

Can details of parentage be altered after the birth has been registered?

The Registrar may alter the details of parentage after a birth has been registered if [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 18]:

  • the parents of the child jointly apply for the addition of the information, or
  • one parent applies for the addition of the information and the other parent cannot join in the application because they are dead or cannot be found, or for some other reason, or
  • a court directs the inclusion or correction of information in the Register, or
  • the Registrar is advised of a finding by a court that a particular person is a parent of the child.

A parent or child or somebody whose rights are affected by the relationship may apply to the Magistrates Court for a declaration of parentage [Family Relationships Act 1975 (SA) s 9].

Must the birth registration include the name of the child?

Yes, the birth registration statement must include the name of the child. Although the name is a matter of choice for the parents lodging the statement, the Registrar can assign a name to a child if the name stated in the birth registration statement is a prohibited name or the birth registration is lodged by both parents and they satisfy the Registrar that they are unable to agree on the child's name [Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 (SA) s 21].

What happens if there is a dispute about the child's name?

In the event of a dispute between parents as to the child's name, either parent may apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for orders resolving the dispute. For more information, see Changing a child's name.

Parenting presumptions and birth registration  :  Last Revised: Tue Feb 25th 2025
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.