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.

If the death took place outside of Queensland, contact the interstate or overseas registering authority to get the certificate.

Certificate options

There are 2 types of death certificates:

• 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.
• limited death certificate—does not show cause of death, burial or cremation details and may not be accepted by all organisations.

How to apply

1. Answer the questions—it should take you less than 10 minutes.
2. Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
3. Review your details.
4. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
5. Have your proof of ID documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
6. Submit your proof of ID by post or in person—if you paid online or not.

• Fill in the death certificate application form

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:

• 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).

• Carindale Library
• Earlville Shopping Town
• Harbour Town
• Robina Town Centre
• Sunshine Plaza, Justice of the Peace Society Inc.
• Westfield Chermside
• 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.

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.

Non-urgent certificate applications (average processing time—no additional fee)

Please allow extra time for Australia Post to deliver your death certificate to your address.

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)
  • by EFTPOS or credit card
  • with a business account cheque
  • with a bank cheque
  • with a money order
  • within Australia
    • by credit card
    • with a business account cheque
    • with a bank cheque
    • with a money order
    • from overseas
      • by credit card.

      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'.

      Application fees

      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	$8.55
      Registered post	$8.10
      International registered mail	$18.55

      
      We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post. This ensures your certificate's delivery 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.

      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.

      Contact us

      By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.

      *Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.

      Expand all | Collapse all

      If you can't complete the application form online, you can use the PDF application form and apply by post or in person.

      Read our corrections policy to find out how to change incorrect or missing information from the time of the event.

      Shopping cart tip

      Purchasing a death certificate on a smart device may be convenient.

      However, keep in mind that the built-in settings, browser and history or cookies on your smart device may create their own issues.

      If you are getting a message that your shopping cart is empty:

      • select the green checkout button to continue
      • try a different internet browser
      • clear the browser history or cookies
      • use a different device.

      If you can't complete the order online, you can use the PDF application form and apply by post or in person.

      Submit your application and payment for a death certificate to us:

      • by post to Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, PO Box 15188, CITY EAST QLD 4002
      • at one of our agents at a Queensland Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office (except the Brisbane Magistrates Court).