Skip links and keyboard navigation

Registering a death

When a person passes away, the family, with the support of their funeral director, is required to register the death.

What the law says

  • Every death in Queensland must be registered.
  • You have 14 days to register a death.
  • Australians who die overseas can be registered with The Office of Regulatory Services in Canberra.

Funeral directors register deaths

You do not have to worry about registering a family members or friend’s death. The funeral director will register their death online or by post.

How to apply for a death certificate

The funeral director can apply for a death certificate after registering the death. You can also apply for a death certificate yourself once the death is registered.

Families electing to make independent funeral arrangements in preference to using a funeral director should contact the registry of Births Deaths and Marriages for more information on the death registration process.

For more information

You can ask Births, Deaths and Marriages about death registrations and certificates.

Doctors needing Cause of Death certificate forms should contact bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au.

Online

Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au or request a web chat (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm). Allow 2 business days for online enquiries.

By phone

Call 1300 366 430 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm).

Changing or correcting a death certificate

To correct an error or make a change to a person’s death certificate, you need to:

  1. Supply a letter detailing the change.
  2. Attach the original certificate.
  3. Include supporting documents about the change.
  4. Post documents to:
    Births, Deaths and Marriages
    PO Box 15188
    CITY EAST QLD 4002
    or
  5. Deliver the documents in Brisbane to the registry at 110 George Street. If you do not live in Brisbane, you can take the documents to your local Magistrates Court or QGAP office.

A fee may apply.

Last updated
14 June 2013

Page feedback

Your privacy

Information collected through this form is used to improve this website.

Any information you submit that could identify you (e.g. name, email address) will be stored securely, and destroyed after we process your feedback.

  1. This page was

  2. We want this information to be the best it can be and we know we can’t do it without you. Let us know what you thought of this page and what other information you would like to see.

    We do not reply to feedback. Contact us if you need a response.

  4. Contact (optional)