The Victorian BDM Registry has issued the following statement by way of advice of an impending change of access, for family historians who seek copies of Historical Records (as opposed to legal certificates) of Victorian BDM records.

Revised policy effecting access to Victorian records:

A revised Access Policy will come into effect in the second half the year governing the access to records held by the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The Access Policy 2007 defines:
• who may be eligible to access Registry records
• the conditions of access
• the format in which information will be released
• the period of time for which records are restricted.

One of the key changes to policy is that restriction periods on public access to birth and change of name records will increase from 75 to 100 years.

VicHeritage CD and microfiche products containing records that are in breach of the 100 year restriction period will no longer be available for purchase from the date of release of the Access Policy 2007. These products include the Edwardian Index, 1902 to 1913 (CD Rom and microfiche) and the Great War Index, 1914 to 1920 (CD Rom and microfiche).

The changes to the policy are driven by a number of factors including a need to better protect an individual’s identity and an increase in life expectancy.

“Ultimately it is my responsibility as the Registrar to ensure all records held and released by the Registry are done so in accordance to strict standards that do not compromise an individual’s security and personal identity,” said Ms Helen Trihas, Registrar, Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“We recognise and value the role we have in family and historical research and remain committed to supporting and working with all members of this community in their work,” she said.

Further information and the policy itself will be added to the Registry’s website (www.bdm.vic.gov.au) on release. Information will also be passed onto various genealogical societies for dissemination as soon as it becomes available.