Death certificates

The death certificate is the official registration of the death.

After the autopsy the forensic pathologist/doctor who performed the autopsy sends a form to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

The form shows the medical cause of death. The form allows the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages to officially register the death.

In most cases the funeral director registers the death and applies for a copy of the death certificate on behalf of the family (the funeral director’s fees usually include the cost of a death certificate).

Otherwise, family can apply for a copy of the death certificate from the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

Sometimes the cause of death may not be determined until after further testing is completed. In this case, the forensic pathologist/doctor issues an interim death certificate (Form 29 – Autopsy Notice) to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The final death certificate will be updated once the cause of death has been determined by the forensic pathologist/doctor.

You can obtain the updated cause of death certificate free of charge if you send the interim death certificate back to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

Contact details: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Location: Level 32, 180 Ann Street Brisbane

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Online: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces

Email: bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au

Phone:  Local call* 13 GOV (13 74 68)

International - +61 3022 0001

* Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate