Storm-area residents certificate fees waived, fines deferred: Bligh

Residents in Brisbane’s storm-damaged areas seeking to replace birth, death and marriage certificates can do so for free, Premier Anna Bligh said today.

“As well the State will suspend collection of any SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Registry) fines from residents in the same geographic area until 29 March, 2009,” said the Premier.

SPER collects and enforces unpaid infringement notice fines and court ordered fines.

“These are tough times and to lose cherished documents like marriage and birth certificates hurts. In a small way we can ease the pain with the no-fee structure on their replacements,” she said.

Those seeking replacements need to present their damaged certificates or provide advice that they have been totally destroyed to the Brisbane Office of Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages (110 George Street).

Also they will need proof of location and identity. The normal fee is $27 a certificate. The no-fee arrangement for replacement certificates will apply until 30 June 2009.

“For example the replacement of birth and marriage certificates for a family of a mother and father and two children would be $135,” she said.

Those affected residents seeking suspension of SPER fines will need to contact SPER as normal. It is only the fine-payment time that has been suspended.

The State’s agreement to do this has been matched by the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to damaged documents (passports).

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500