The service has been pulled from all post offices across the state as the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has introduced online application forms.

Yesterday a Registry spokeswoman said since the introduction of online applications in November 2013, demand at Australia Post outlets had “sharply declined”. 

“Australia Post outlets began taking applications for standard birth, death and marriage certificates in late 2009,” she said.

“Applications lodged at Australia Post outlets attracted an additional fee of $21.50. For this reason many of our customers preferred to lodge their applications directly with the Registry, either online or by post, at no additional cost.”

According to the spokeswoman, Mudgee residents wishing not to apply online for a birth, death or marriage certificate can still access the service over the counter at Gulgong Local Court or Rylstone Local Court. Customers can also call 13 77 88 as opposed to visiting www.bdm.nsw.gov.au.

The service was removed from Mudgee Local Court more than two years ago and added to the post office workload.

The online process may cause concern and confusion for anyone who is not internet savvy. It may also impact those requiring a birth certificate for a wide variety of reasons — passport and licence applications, financial transactions and general identification.

In the Lithgow Mercury on Tuesday one resident was quoted as saying the move was “just another step towards a no contact, anti social society.”

Australia Post said the service is no longer carried out in any post office across NSW and was a decision made by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.