Announcing the special certificates, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said they featured an elegant design based around one of Walter Burley Griffin’s original drawings and are highlighted by an image of the Centenary of Canberra official native plant, the Correa Canberra Bells.

The centenary themed birth certificates coincide with the naming of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children which will provide a co-location of services for women. Stage one will include 30 inpatient beds and will open in August.

Centenary of Canberra creative director Robyn Archer offered parents planning a centenary baby a light-hearted reminder that the clock is already ticking.

“There’s no doubt that Canberra’s population is due to rise in coming decades and the children born in 2013 will now have something special by which to remember their birthday,” Ms Archer said.

“If prospective parents are interested in producing special centenary babies, then we remind you that we are already more than two months into the qualifying round, and that the cut off date will be around the big birthday weekend in March next year!”

The birth certificates are among a number of memorabilia items that are planned for the community as part of the 2013 Centenary of Canberra celebrations.

More information at canberra100.com.au