Relationships Register Act 2010 (NSW)

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An Act with respect to the registration of de facto relationships; and for other purposes.

Part 1Preliminary1Name of Act

This Act is the Relationships Register Act 2010.

2Commencement(1)

This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation, except as provided by subsection (2).

(2)

Schedule 2.2 and Schedule 3 commence on the date of assent to this Act.

3Object of Act

The object of this Act is to provide for the legal recognition of persons in a relationship as a couple, regardless of their sex, by registration of the relationship.

4Definitions(1)

In this Act:

adult means a person of or above the age of 18 years.

corresponding law means a law of another State or a Territory providing for the registration of or recognition of relationships that is prescribed by the regulations.

interstate registered relationship—see section 16.

Register means the Register established under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.

registered relationship means a relationship that is registered under this Act.

Registrar means the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within the meaning of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.

Note—

The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.

(2)

Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

Part 2Registration of relationships5Eligibility for registration(1)

Two adults who are in a relationship as a couple, regardless of their sex, may apply to the Registrar for registration of their relationship.

(2)

A relationship cannot be registered unless at least one of the adults resides in New South Wales.

(3)

A relationship cannot be registered if:

  • (a)

    either adult is married, or

  • (b)

    either adult is registered under this Act or a corresponding law as being in a registered relationship or an interstate registered relationship, or

  • (c)

    either adult is in a relationship as a couple with another person, or

  • (d)

    the adults are related by family.

(4)

Two adults are related by family if:

  • (a)

    one is the child (including an adopted child) of the other, or

  • (b)

    one is another descendant of the other (even if the relationship between them is traced through an adoptive parent), or

  • (c)

    they have a parent in common (including an adoptive parent of either or both of them).

(5)

Subsection (4) applies:

  • (a)

    even if an adoption has been declared void or is of no effect, and

  • (b)

    to adoptions under the law of any place (whether in or out of Australia) relating to the adoption of children.

(6)

Subsection (4) applies in relation to a child whose parentage is transferred as a result of a parentage order, or an Interstate parentage order, within the meaning of the Surrogacy Act 2010 in the same way as it applies in relation to an adopted child, even if the parentage order is discharged or otherwise ceases to have effect. For…

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.