The death of a family member or friend is a difficult time.

In most cases, you won't need to apply for a death certificate because the funeral director will do it for you.

However, if you do need to apply yourself, we can only issue a death certificate after the death is registered.

Certificates for people that died over 30 years ago
If you're looking for a death certificate for someone that died over 30 years ago, you don't need to provide proof of identity or proof of eligibility. Simply select 'historical certificate' on the application form.

Apply now (External link)

What we need from you

We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:

1. Details of the person named on the certificate

At minimum, we ask for:

  • Your name and date of birth
  • Name and age of the person that's died
  • Your relationship to that person
  • Date and place of death.

2. Proof of your identity

You may be able to prove your identity online. If not you can still prove your identity in other ways. These include:

  • Taking certified copies of your identity documents to our Customer Service Centre or a Justice Service Centre
  • Mailing certified copies to us.

Acceptable documents

One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your Passport.

Example driver licenceExample passport

Alternatively, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.

Example driver licenceExample Medicare cardExample bank card

Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.

3. Proof you're eligible to get the certificate

You need to prove your status as next of kin in order to get the death certificate. Examples of the proof you can provide is below.

If you're not the next of kin, you additionally need to provide proof of your own identity and third party authority from the next of kin.

If you're the partner or spouse of the deceased

  • your name on the deceased's death registration
  • your and your partner's names on your marriage certificate
  • evidence that you were living together in a domestic relationship at the time of death

If you're the child of the deceased

  • your name on the deceased's death registration
  • your own birth certificate showing the name of your parent

If you're the parent of the deceased

  • your name on the deceased's death registration
  • your child's birth certificate showing you as the parent

Processing and delivery

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

Processing start date Processing time Pick up/delivery
Date received

Full application
with eligibility and
proof of identity documents

 5 working days for deaths in 2018

Otherwise 10 working days

 Pickup
595 Collins Street
Melbourne

or

6 days
Australia Post

Track the progress of your certificate (External link)

Additional copies

If you applied for more than one copy of a death certificate, each will be posted separately for security reasons, unless you asked for them to be sent by Registered or Express Post.

We'll post them all on the same day, but bear in mind that Australia Post may deliver them on different days.

Fees and payment

Certificate fees

Standard certificate Interim certificate
$33.00 $33.00
Accepted as an official Australian death certificate.    

An interim death certificate is issued when a death is still being investigated by the Coroner. The certificate doesn't record the cause of death.

  • Valid for most official purposes, but not all.
  • A standard certificate is needed once the Coroner establishes the cause of death.

Postage fees

Shipping fees cannot be refunded if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage - see Australia Post (External link) for product details Price

Australia

  

Registered post (recommended)

 $7.40
Standard post/Handling $1.00

Express post

Note: This is not a priority service fee - standard Turnaround times still apply.

 $7.80

Outside Australia

  
Airmail (Standard post) $3.70
Express Courier International $52.80

Check the Payment methods (External link) we accept.

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