Death certificates

The death certificate is the official registration of the death and shows the medical cause of death. The death certificate is generally required for financial or other proof of death purposes.

Once the medical cause of death has been determined, the forensic pathologist sends a form to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 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.

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

Interim death certificate

Sometimes the cause of death may not be determined until after further testing is completed by the forensic pathologist. In this case, an interim death certificate (Form 29 – Autopsy Notice) is issued to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The final death certificate will be updated once the cause of death has been determined (if it can be) 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)

From outside Australia, call +61 7 3022 6100 (UTC +10 Hours)

* Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate