Death certificates in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland

Who usually orders it

A funeral director normally registers the death within 7 days of the burial or cremation. The funeral director normally orders the death certificate when they register the death.

The registry's published rule on who can apply

The registry's published list of who can apply: the current spouse or de facto partner, a parent or a child of the person who died, if their details are on the certificate; the funeral director, within 30 days of registration; the executor of the estate; or the solicitor acting for the estate.

The registry's page also sets out what a relative, or anyone else not named on the certificate, needs to provide.

Identification

All applicants provide proof of identity.

How to apply

For a death in NSW, a certificate can be ordered online, by post or at a Service NSW service centre. It is sent by registered post.

The fee

A death certificate costs A$70, or A$105 for priority service. This is the registry's published fee, and it includes postage.

Processing time

An online order takes up to 3 weeks, or up to 2 weeks with priority, plus delivery time.

The registry's page

NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages · Death certificates

Who usually orders it

In Victoria, the funeral director usually registers the death, after the burial or cremation.

The registry says that in most cases the funeral director applies for the death certificate, so the family does not need to apply directly.

A death certificate can only be issued after the death has been registered.

The registry's published rule on who can apply

The registry's published rule: the applicant proves they are the person's next of kin. Anyone who is not the next of kin also provides third-party authority from the next of kin.

Identification

Every applicant also proves their own identity, online or with certified copies of documents.

How to apply

The registry's page links to an online application, and says a Service Victoria account is now needed to complete online transactions. Payment is by credit or debit card, or BPAY.

The fee

The registry's published fee for a death certificate is A$59.10, with or without the cause of death, or A$95.80 for the package: the death certificate and the cause-of-death certificate. Express post within Australia is A$10.60.

Processing time

The registry's published processing times: up to 14 days for a death certificate, and up to 7 days for a death registration and certificate in the last 3 months. The time starts once all the documents are in, and postage is extra.

The registry's page

Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria · Get a death certificate

Who usually orders it

In Queensland, the funeral director usually registers the death on behalf of the family. The registry says the death needs to be registered within 14 days.

This page does not say who usually orders the certificate in Queensland; the registry's list of who can apply is below.

Two kinds of certificate

Queensland issues two kinds of death certificate. The official certificate shows the cause of death and is the one used to finalise estate matters. The limited certificate does not show the cause of death and may not be accepted by all organisations.

The registry's published rule on who can apply

The registry's published list of who can apply: the person's spouse, parent or child; the person who gave the details and signed the death registration; the funeral director; or an executor of the estate. Its page lists who else can apply.

Identification

Applicants provide 3 forms of ID, including proof of home address.

How to apply

The application can be filled in online, but ID and any supporting documents are sent by post or taken in person.

The registry takes certificate applications by post; in person at any Queensland Magistrates Court or QGAP office, except the Brisbane Magistrates Court; through some JPs in the Community, for applications paid online; or at its Brisbane registry.

The registry says a death certificate can be ordered at the same time as registering a death with it.

The fee

The registry's published fee for a death certificate is A$58.10, official or limited, or A$116.20 for one of each. An urgent application costs A$34.45 extra. Regular postage is free.

Processing time

The registry's published processing times: up to 10 business days, or within 2 business days for an urgent application, which costs extra. Postage and public holidays add time.

The registry's page

Queensland Government · Get a death certificate