Applying for a death certificate
Most of the time you will not need to apply for a death certificate, the funeral director will 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 commemorative death certificate.
There are 2 types of death certificate—standard and commemorative.
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
It will take you about 10 minutes to fill in this application form.
- Answer the questions.
- 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.
- Get 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.
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.
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 ($28.70)
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)
- JPs in the Community if you pay online
Bring your completed application form, or printed order receipt (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 ($28.70) 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 ($28.70)
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver the death certificate to your address.
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:
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 from when you have verified your ID.
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 cash
- 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.
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) | $48.20 |
| Commemorative death certificate—does not include a standard death certificate (standard postage included) | $31.00 |
| Urgent application | $28.70 |
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 | $6.40 |
| Registered mail | $5.00 |
| International registered post | $16.10 |
Contact us
Email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au, we reply to online enquiries within 2 business days.
Local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3405 0985 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.