LibGuides: Births, deaths and marriages: Victoria

Victorian Cemetery records

Victorian birth, death and marriage information from 1836 onwards is freely available online.

Compulsory registration of births, deaths and marriages began in Victoria on 1 July 1853.

Prior to this date church records contain baptism, marriage and burial records back to 1836.

(Recent records are not accessible due to privacy restrictions. For full copies of the certificates a fee is charged.)

Public Record Office Victoria
The archives of the State Government of Victoria, holding official records from the European settlement of Port Phillip in the 1830s to today.
State Library of Victoria
This site provides practical information and lists of resources for anyone interested in finding out more about their Victorian family history.
Wills and probates
Public Record Office of Victoria holds wills and probate records from 1841 to 1925 viewable online.

Melbourne Argus index to birth notices, including cross-references to mother's maiden name
Index to birth notices in the Melbourne Argus newspaper 1914 - 1920. (Searchable also on Trove.)
Index of funerals, inquests, obituaries ... from Bendigo Advertiser newspaper
Index of funerals, inquests, obituaries, accidents etc from Bendigo Advertiser newspaper 1854-1884. (Searchable on Trove.)
Divorce index
Index to divorce case files in the Victorian Public Record Office.
Probate index Victoria
Index to probates granted on deceased estates 1841-1992

The following online resources are available for use onsite at the State Library:

Pioneer index
Victorian birth, death and marriage records 1837 - 1888. (Note that records for 1837-1853 are from church records.)
Federation index
Victorian birth, death and marriage registrations 1889 - 1901.
Edwardian index
Victorian birth, death and marriage registrations 1902 - 1913.
Great War index
Victorian birth, death and marriage registrations 1914 - 1920.
Death index
Victorian death registrations 1921-1985.
Marriage index
Victorian marriages records 1921 to 1942.
Marine births, deaths & marriages
Births, deaths and marriages on both international and coastal ships bound for Victoria 1853 - 1920. Also searchable by ship's name.
Argus newspaper index
Index to newspaper notices of births 1914-1931 and marriages 1931-1941. (Also searchable on Trove.)

If you would like to suggest a website or other resource, please Email us.