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:
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 outside of Queensland, contact the interstate or overseas registering authority to get the certificate.
Post your completed application form along with the printed order receipt (if you paid online), your certified proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed) 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.
At the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane, you will need to use our self-serve kiosk.
If you ordered and paid online bring your order receipt number. You will also need to show your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).
If you live outside the Brisbane city area bring your order receipt number (if you paid online) or a completed application form with your proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed) to any of the following locations:
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 when you have had your ID verified.
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) |
10
|
| Urgent certificate applications ($32.20) | 2 |
Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver your death certificate to your address.
When ordering a certificate, the total cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online. You can pay:
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'.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Official death certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
| Urgent application | $32.20 |
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.
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.
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 are unable to provide a replacement certificate free of charge.
The fee you pay is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.
You will lose the fee paid if we refuse your application or you cancel it after we have started to review it.
Please read our refund policy.
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.
If you can't complete the application form online, you can use the PDF application form and apply by post or in person.
Get the death certificate application form.
Read our corrections policy to find out how to change incorrect or missing information from the time of the event.
