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 an official 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.
An official 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
- Answer the questions—it should take you less than 10 minutes.
- Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
- Review your details.
- Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
- Have your proof of ID documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Submit your proof of ID by post or in person
Submit by post
Post your completed application form, or printed order receipt (if you paid online), with your 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.
Submit in person
Bring your completed application form, or printed order receipt (if you paid online), with your proof of ID and supporting documents (as required) to any of the following locations:
- One of our agents at a Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office (except the Brisbane Magistrates Court)
- JPs in the Community (if you paid online).
At the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane, use our self-serve kiosk, or bring your order reference number (if you paid online), 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 ($30.40) can be ready in 3 hours (or the next business day if you apply after 1.30pm).
JPs in the Community—online orders only
When you buy a death certificate online you can show your proof of ID in person by visiting a participating JPs in the Community location:
- Carindale Library
- Chermside Shopping Centre Westfield
- Earlville Shopping Town
- Harbour Town
- Robina Town Centre
- Sunshine Plaza, Justice of the Peace Society Inc.
- Westfield Garden City Library, Mount Gravatt
- Westfield North Lakes
Bring your printed order receipt (if you paid online), your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).
Processing times remain the same, and start when you have had your ID verified.
Pay the fee
When ordering a certificate, 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 |
|---|---|
| Official death certificate (standard postage included) | $51.30 |
| Urgent application | $30.40 |
Processing timeframe
Our processing timeframes apply to correctly filled out applications that have been submitted with all the required proof of ID and supporting documents (as required).
They apply once we receive applications submitted by post or in person at a Queensland Magistrates Court or QGAP office.
| Priority | Number of business days |
|---|---|
Non-urgent certificate applications (average processing time—no additional fee) | 5 |
| Urgent certificate applications ($30.40) | 2 |
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver your death certificate to your address.
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 | $7.35 |
| Registered post | $5.40 |
| 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 3328 4811 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.