Registering a death
If a death occurs in Queensland, it needs to be registered with us within 14 days from the date of death. It’s free to do and you can order and pay for a certificate at the same time.
Normally in Queensland, the funeral director will register the death on your behalf.
If a funeral director is not submitting the registration for you, you will need to submit a death registration application form to us. There is no fee to pay.
Where a person passes away overseas and needs to be registered you should contact the registry in the state or territory where they lived or owned property for more information.
Apply for a death certificate
You can apply for a death certificate at the same time as submitting the death registration application.
If you choose to order a death certificate when you register a death, we will post the certificate to you as soon as the registration has been processed.
Submitting by post
Post your completed application form(s) and payment (if you ordered a death certificate) to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Pay the fee
You will need to work out the total cost of your order and make sure you pay the correct amount. You can pay:
- at the customer service centre
- by EFTPOS or credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- through the mail
- within Australia
- by credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- from overseas
- by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registering a death | Free |
| Official death certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $7.45 |
| Registered post | $5.55 |
| International registered mail | $17.70 |
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Fee waiver
If you are suffering financial hardship and have an immediate need for a certificate, you may be able to have your application fee waived.
Learn more in our fee waiver policy and complete a request for a fee waived certificate.
Damaged certificates
We make sure your certificates leave our office in good condition.
After it’s collected from our office, we do not have control over or responsibility for any damage done to a certificate in the post.
You can lodge a claim for compensation through Australia Post. We cannot provide a replacement certificate free of charge.
Contact us
Online: our general enquiry form.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.