Step 8 – Deceased Estate Administration Guide
How To Get a Death Certificate
- Last Updated: August 2024
If you're uncertain about how to get a Death Certificate, this step explains everything you need to know about applying for a Death Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and how long it takes to get a Death Certificate. The Death Certificate in WA, NSW, VIC and QLD is a critical document to prove a person's death and when dealing with government departments, banks and other organisations on behalf of the Estate to transfer assets.
Overview
The Death Certificate is a key document for all official dealings with government departments, companies and organisations as it provides legal proof of death. You will need to:- ensure the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is provided to your state's/territory's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages by the medical practitioner or the funeral director (see Step 1.4 for more details);
- check if the funeral director applied for the Death Certificate; and
- if you need to apply, request the Next of Kin to complete the relevant application.
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8.1 General Considerations
- How do I get a death certificate?
- What information is on a death certificate in Australia?
- How long does it take to get a death certificate?
The application for a Death Certificate can only be initiated by the funeral director or the deceased person's Next of Kin. That is, unless you receive a letter from the Next of Kin authorising you to apply for a Death Certificate.
If you have engaged a funeral director already based on Step 6 and Step 7 the Death Certificate may have already been issued to the funeral director or may be on its way to the Next of Kin.
If not, make sure you check with the funeral director first, before applying with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state/territory.
When dealing with official documents and identification, you will need to bring original documents or certified copies. The documents required for death certificate registration may vary depending on the state or territory, although a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and Death Registration form are typically needed.
In Australia, the following persons are authorised to certify death-related documents:- Health Professionals: chiropractors, dentists, medical practitioners, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists;
- Legal Professionals: legal practitioners, patent attorneys, trademarks attorneys;
- People in Court Positions: bailiffs, justices of the peace, judges, magistrates, registrars, or deputy registrars, clerks, masters of a court, CEOs of Commonwealth courts;
- Elected Government Representatives: Federal, State or Territory or Local;
- Public Servants: Federal, State or Territory or Local – employed for five years or more;
- Members of: Chartered Secretaries Australia, Engineers Australia, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy;
- Bank officers, building society officers, credit union officers, finance company officers – employed for five years or more, veterinary surgeons, accountants (member of ICA, ASA, IPA or CPA, ATMA, NTAA); and
- Ministers of religion, marriage celebrants, notaries public, police officers, sheriffs or sheriff's officers, teachers (full-time) at a school or tertiary education institution.
- Justices of the Peace;
- Notaries public;
- Australian Consular Officers or Australian Diplomatic Officers (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955); and
- Employees of the Commonwealth or the Australian Trade Commission who works outside Australia.
8.2 Death Certificate Application
For your convenience, we have outlined the process, forms and costs for the Death Certificate application in the main states:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages WA
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm AWSTAddress: Westralia Square, Level 10, 141 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Post: Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Department of Justice, PO Box 7720, Cloisters Square, Perth WA 6850
Court Locations: Albany, Armadale, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Katanning, Kununurra, Mandurah, Manjimup, Merredin, Midland, Northam, Rockingham and South Hedland The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages WA allows applications to be made:
- online;
- in person in Perth;
- in person at Court Locations in WA; and
- by post.
You can simply apply for a Death Certificate and pay online at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages WA website.
Process – PaperIf you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can complete the paper forms and apply in person or by post.
Relevant Documents
- BDM2 Death Certificate Application Form
- BDM600 Letter of Authority
- Proof of Identity as stated on the form
- in person (Perth): while waiting at the time of your visit
- in person (Court Locations): usually same day
- by post: two working days plus postal delivery time (priority paid: within 24 hours plus priority postal delivery time)
- Death Certificate WA: $53
- Priority fee: $42
- Cash/cheque/money order (Cheques or money orders should be made payable to: Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.);
- Credit card (MasterCard or Visa only); and
- Eftpos (debit card).
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm AESTAddress (Sydney): 35 Regent Street, Chippendale NSW 2008
Address (Parramatta): Justice Precinct Offices, 160 Marsden Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Service Centre near you can be found here
Post: NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages, GPO Box 30, Sydney NSW 2001
The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages allows applications to be made:
- online;
- in person (Sydney or Parramatta);
- in person at Service Centre Locations; or
- by post.
You can simply apply for a Death Certificate and pay online at the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website.
Process – PaperIf you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can complete the paper forms and apply in person or by post. Relevant Documents
- Death Certificate Application Form
- Letter of Authority
- Proof of Identity as stated on the form
- online: up to two weeks plus postal delivery time (priority paid: within one week plus postal delivery time)
- in person: up to one week plus postal delivery time
- by post: up to one week plus postal delivery time
- Death Certificate NSW: $60
- Priority Service: $88
- Cash/cheque/money order (Cheques or money orders should be made payable to: Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.);
- Credit card (MasterCard or Visa only); and
- Eftpos (debit card).
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Victoria
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm AESTAddress: Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Customer Service Centre, Ground floor, 595 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Justice Service Centre (JSC) near you can be found here
Post: Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, GPO Box 4332, Melbourne VIC 3001 The VIC Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages allows applications to be made:
- online;
- in person in Melbourne;
- in person at selected Justice Service Centres (JSC); and
- by post.
You can simply apply for a Death Certificate and pay online at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria website.
Process – PaperIf you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can complete the paper forms and apply in person or by post.
Relevant Documents
- Deceased person details
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Eligibility
- deaths in last three months: 7 days
- deaths longer than three months ago may take longer
- Death Certificates Victoria $54.40; and
- Postage Australia: $10.00; or
- Postage overseas: $54.10.
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages QLD
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm AESTAddress: Brisbane Registry Customer Service Centre, Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program offices near you can be found here
Post: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, PO Box 15188, City East QLD 4002
The QLD Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages allows applications to be made:
- online;
- in person in Brisbane;
- in person at a Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program office; and
- by post.
You can simply apply for a Death Certificate and pay online at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages QLD website.
Process – PaperIf you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can complete the paper forms and apply in person or by post.
Relevant Documents
- Online Form
- Proof of Identity as stated on the form
- online: five days plus postal delivery time (urgent paid: two days plus postal delivery time)
- in person: five days plus postal delivery time (urgent paid: two days plus postal delivery time)
- by post: five working days plus postal delivery time or two working days plus postal delivery time for urgent applications (additional fee of $28.70 as at June 2018)
- Death Certificate QLD: $54.40 (5 days)
- Urgent fee: $32.20 (2 days)
- Postage Standard: included; or
- Postage Registered: $5.55
- Postage Express: $7.45
- Postage International: $17.70
- Cash/cheque/money order (Cheques or money orders should be made payable to: Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.); and
- Credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).
8.3 Death records in Australia
- Obituaries
- Newspaper articles
- Church records
Read Further
You are currently on Step 8 – How To Get a Death Certificate. Other steps of interest may be:
> Step 10 – Documentation of Death > Step 11 – Certifying Death–Related Documents > Step 12 – Notification of Government Departments & Service Providers of the DeathComplete Step
Actions and Decisions to Complete Step Yourself
If you have decided to complete this Step yourself, some actions and decisions may be to:
- Request the Death Certificate from the funeral director or check if an application for the Death Certificate was made by them (see Step 8.1 above);
- Alternatively, request the funeral director or Next of Kin to apply for the Death Certificate with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the relevant state/territory (see Step 8.2 above);
- If the Next of Kin is unable to request it, ask for a letter from the Next of Kin authorising you to apply on their behalf (see Step 8.2 above); and
- Make certified copies of the Death Certificate as this is a key document that will be requested by most organisations when you inform them of the death of the deceased (see Step 8.1 above).
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Cost & Effort
Reading: 10 mins
Preparing: 1 hr
Completing: 20 mins
Waiting: 1-2 wks
Total: 1-2 wks
Cost: $43.80 – $88.00
Effort and cost are general estimates only and are based on the assumption that you complete this step without experienced support.
Instructions
To find out how this Process Guide works, access the instructions here.
Glossary
To find out what the capitalised words mean, access the glossary here.
Forms
Refer to Step 8.2 above for more detail about these forms.
Other forms not listed here may be required based on your specific circumstances.
Checklists & Tools
Download Australia's most used Important Documents Checklist to find out about the most commonly used documents you will need. This document is part of the Light Executor Checklists & Tools Package.Legislation & Rules
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Trusted Support
Have you encountered a challenge needing professional support, or are you unsure about how to proceed? Find out about our support options and personal guidance to get you back on your way with confidence.
Executor & Administrator Support WA
We can help with:- obtaining the Death Certificate
- assessing your approach and best way forward
- liaising with the Funeral Director
Review our services and book a free phone appointment.
Find Out More
Funeral Director WA
Our trusted partner can help with:- organising the Death Certificate
- cremation and/or burial
- organising and holding a funeral
Executor & Administrator Support NSW
We can help with:- obtaining the Death Certificate
- assessing your approach and best way forward
- liaising with the Funeral Director
Review our services and book a free phone appointment.
Find Out More
Funeral Director NSW
Our trusted partner can help with:- organising the Death Certificate
- cremation and/or burial
- organising and holding a funeral
Executor & Administrator Support VIC
We can help with:- obtaining the Death Certificate
- assessing your approach and best way forward
- liaising with the Funeral Director
Review our services and book a free phone appointment.
Find Out More
Funeral Director VIC
Our trusted partner can help with:- organising the Death Certificate
- cremation and/or burial
- organising and holding a funeral
Executor & Administrator Support QLD
We can help with:- obtaining the Death Certificate
- assessing your approach and best way forward
- liaising with the Funeral Director
Review our services and book a free phone appointment.
Find Out More
Funeral Director QLD
Our trusted partner can help with:- organising the Death Certificate
- cremation and/or burial
- organising and holding a funeral