Northern Territory Birth Index 1870-1918

Each record includes a transcript. The amount of information listed varies, but the Northern Territory Birth Index 1870-1918 may include the following information about your ancestor:

• The child’s first name(s) and last name

• The child’s date and year of birth

• The place of birth, as transcribed

• The father’s first name

• The mother’s name (including maiden name in some cases)

• The state and country in which the child was born

• Registration details

The Northern Territory Birth Index 1870-1918 records comprise approximately 1,780 entries from an index of births registered in the Northern Territory, Australia, between 1870 and 1918.

All Northern Territory births, deaths and marriages required registration from 24 August 1870. Original birth certificates from the Northern Territory are held and administered by the Northern Territory Government’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice. These certificates are not available to search or view online, but can be purchased. See further details below.

Note that the level of detail listed regarding the place of birth varies widely. In some cases, only the town or region was specified, while other entries on this index record particular camps, hospitals and even telegraph stations. It is also important to note that South Australia became responsible for administering the Northern Territory in 1863, and it became known as the district of Palmerston. (Prior to this, the Northern Territory was considered part of New South Wales, with the exception of a short period in 1846.) When the Northern Territory was transferred to the federal government’s control in 1911, the South Australian government sent its registrations of births, deaths and marriages from the Northern Territory to Darwin. These are now held in the Northern Territory Government’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If your Northern Territory ancestors were born prior to 24 August 1870, it is worth checking for a record of their birth among the South Australian and New South Wales births, deaths and marriages registers, which are also available on Findmypast.

In Australia, each state administers its own birth, death and marriage certificates and the process of ordering a certificate, as well as the level of detail they may contain, varies widely.

In the Northern Territory, the Northern Territory Government’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice is responsible for managing this process.

For information about certified copies of certificates issued by the Northern Territory Government please refer to http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/bdm/index.shtml

Ordering a birth certificate will involve applying on the Registry’s online facility, using the website link listed above. Applications can also be made via fax, post or, for those who live in the Northern Territory, in person at one of four Register-General’s Offices around the Northern Territory. Note that costs apply.

It is important to keep in mind that only birth certificates dating back over 80 years can be accessed by any member of the public. Birth certificates that are less than 80 years old are generally only available to the person in question, their parents or guardians, or others that the Registrar deems as eligible to apply.