Applying for a death certificate
Most of the time you will not need to apply for a death certificate, the funeral director will register the death and apply for a standard death certificate on your behalf when you organise the funeral.
Fill in the death certificate application form if you need:
- additional death certificates
- a replacement death certificate.
A standard death certificate shows the full details of the death record and is a recognised identity document that informs government agencies and financial institutions that a person has passed away.
If the death took place in another Australian state, contact the registry in that state or territory to get the certificate.
How to apply
To apply for a death certificate, choose whether you:
- will do it online (online payment only)
- can't do it online (will require access to a printer)
If you can't do it online, and don't have access to a printer email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au.
Do it online
Fill in the online death certificate application form.
You will also need to scan your proof of ID and supporting documents or use your mobile device to take a picture of them. You will need to upload them during the online application process.
Please do not scan or take pictures of your credit card to attach as your proof of ID.
Make sure you only complete the form once; we will post the certificate to you as soon as it has been processed.
- Scan or photograph your proof of ID and supporting documents.
- Answer the questions.
- Upload your proof of ID and additional supporting documents, as required.
- Review your details
- Pay the fee (Visa or MasterCard) for your order.
Preparing and uploading documents
You will need to have an electronic copy of your proof of ID and supporting documents on the device you are using to apply.
The documents must be less than 15MB each. Accepted file types are:
- .jpg
- .jpeg
- .tiff
- .png
If a document is more than one page, only scan or photograph the page with your details on it. For example, the first page of a utility bill or bank statement.
How to scan or photograph the document(s):
- Before you start your application, get your documents ready. (Do not send us a copy of your credit card as your proof of ID.)
- Place your document on a flat surface with a plain background.
- Hold your device over the document and take a picture, making sure that the details can be read.
- Save it to the device you’ll use to fill in the application. (Filenames must be alphanumeric with no spaces, dashes, or underscores. E.g. mypassport19.jpg).
- On the upload section of the online application,
- click browse
- find your saved file
- click on open to upload.
Unable to complete online
If you can’t apply online, you need to:
- Download and print a death certificate application form.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your application form to us along with payment, proof of ID and additional supporting documents, as required.
If you can’t print the form, email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au with your postal address and we will send one to you.
By post
Post your completed application form along with payment and certified documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
We will begin to process your application when we receive your documents.
Processing timeframes for correctly filled out applications that have all the required proof of ID and supporting documents (if needed) are:
- 5 business days for non-urgent certificate applications (average processing time—no additional fee)
- 2 business days for urgent certificate applications ($29.35)
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver the death certificate to your address.
In person
Visit any of the following locations:
- The Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane
- One of our agents at a Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office (except the Brisbane Magistrates Court)
Bring your completed application form, your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).
If you submit your correctly filled out application at the Brisbane registry customer service centre and the death has already been registered, the certificate will be given to you immediately, unless registered before 1980.
If the death was registered before 1980, the certificate will be ready after 2.30pm the next business day. Urgent certificates ($29.35) can be ready in 3 hours (or the next business day if you apply after 1.30pm).
Processing timeframes for correctly filled out applications that are submitted at a Queensland Magistrates Court or QGAP office with all the required proof of ID and supporting documents (if needed) are:
- 5 business days for non-urgent certificate applications (average processing time—no additional fee)
- 2 business days for urgent certificate applications ($29.35)
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver the death certificate to your address.
Pay the fee
The total cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online. You can pay:
- online
- by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
- 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
- by credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre, but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
Make cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
We do not accept personal cheques.
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard death certificate (standard postage included) | $49.50 |
| Urgent application | $29.35 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can request to have your certificate posted by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $6.70 |
| Registered mail | $5.20 |
| International registered post | $16.10 |
Contact us
Online: Our general enquiry form.
By phone: Local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3328 4811 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.