How to register a death in Australia, state by state

Registering a death is one of the few official steps that has to happen in the days after a loved one passes away. In most cases the funeral director handles it for you. This guide covers what is involved, who lodges it, how long you have, and what to expect in each state.

If you have just lost someone, see our first 24 hours guide before this one. The registration is not urgent.

Who registers a death

In almost every case in Australia, the funeral director lodges the death registration with the relevant state Births, Deaths and Marriages registry. They do this on the family's behalf, using the medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor.

If you have chosen not to use a funeral director, the senior next of kin can register the death directly with the state registry. WA is a partial exception: under WA law a funeral director or cemetery board permit is required for arrangements, so DIY registration is not standard.

For the federal context on what to do alongside registration, see Services Australia's "What to do when someone dies" page.

How long you have, by state

Each state and territory sets its own registration window. Most are 7 days from the funeral; QLD allows 14 days. WA does not publish a fixed number of days - confirm with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Late registration is still possible but a fine may apply in some states.

Each state's official process is linked below. We have a dedicated guide for each state with the exact form, the lodgement office address, and the document checklist.

What documents are needed

To register a death, the registry needs:

• The medical certificate of cause of death, issued by the doctor (or an interim certificate from the coroner if the death was reportable).
• Proof of identity for the person who has passed away (driver's licence, passport, Medicare card, or equivalent).
• Personal and family history details (parents' names, marriage details, children, occupation).

The funeral director collects all of this from the family during the first arrangements meeting.

Registering without a funeral director

If you are arranging a DIY funeral, you can lodge the registration yourself. Each state has a slightly different form and process, but the steps are similar:

1. 1Collect the medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or hospital.
2. 2Download the death registration statement from the state registry website.
3. 3Fill in the form with personal and family details.
4. 4Lodge with the registry by mail or in person, with proof of identity.

This pathway is most common in rural areas, in cases of natural or home funerals, or when families have particular cultural or religious wishes. For more on the legal pathway, see our guide on DIY funerals in Australia.

State by state details

New South Wales

Lodgement through Service NSW. The funeral director must lodge within 7 days of the burial or cremation. NSW certificates can be ordered online once the registration is complete; standard processing takes around 2 to 3 weeks. See our dedicated Register a death in NSW page for the document checklist.

Victoria

Lodgement through Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. Under the BDMR Act 1996 (Vic) the funeral director lodges the death registration within 7 days of the burial or cremation. A Service Victoria account is required for online ordering of certified copies. See our Register a death in Victoria page for more.

Queensland

Lodgement through the Queensland Government registry. Registration is required within 14 days of burial or cremation. Forms can be lodged by post or in person at any Magistrates Court or QGAP office. Registration is free; certificate copies carry a fee. See our Register a death in Queensland page.

Western Australia

Lodgement through the WA Department of Justice. WA does not publish a fixed registration window; confirm the current timeframe with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The medical certificate of cause of death is normally issued within 48 hours of the death. Under WA law a funeral director or cemetery board permit is required for funeral arrangements. See our Register a death in WA page.

South Australia

Lodgement through Consumer and Business Services South Australia. Registration must occur within 7 days after burial or cremation. There is no fee. See our Register a death in SA page.

Tasmania

Lodgement through Births, Deaths and Marriages Tasmania (under the Department of Justice). Under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 (Tas), the medical practitioner must notify the Registrar within 48 hours of the death (s35), and the funeral director or person arranging disposal of remains must give the Registrar a written statement within 7 days of disposal (s37). The Act does not set a separate fixed deadline for full registration. See our Register a death in Tasmania page.

Australian Capital Territory

Lodgement through Access Canberra. The ACT registration window is 7 days. BDM Deaths Online is the contact for self-registration where no funeral director is engaged. See our Register a death in the ACT page.

Northern Territory

Lodgement through the NT Attorney-General's Department BDM. Registration is required within 7 working days. Offices are in Darwin and Alice Springs. See our Register a death in the NT page.

After registration: the death certificate

The state registry issues the death certificate normally 2 to 3 weeks after registration. Some states offer express processing for an additional fee. Most families need 5 to 8 certified copies to handle banks, super, insurance, property, and government notifications.

For a deeper guide on certificate copies, fees, and how many you actually need, see our death certificate guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who legally registers a death in Australia?

The funeral director usually lodges the death registration with the state's Births, Deaths and Marriages registry within a few days to two weeks, depending on the state. If no funeral director is engaged, the next of kin can register the death directly with the state registry.

How long do you have to register a death in Australia?

Between 7 and 14 days in most states. NSW, VIC, SA, ACT and the NT use a 7-day window after burial or cremation (NT measured in working days). QLD uses 14 days. WA does not publish a fixed number of days; confirm the current registration window with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Tasmania uses a 7-day window for the funeral director's written notice after disposal of remains; the Tasmanian Act does not set a separate fixed deadline for full registration. The medical certificate of cause of death is normally issued within 48 hours of the death.

Do you pay to register a death in Australia?

Registration itself is free in every Australian state and territory. The fee comes when ordering certified copies of the death certificate, which range from around $49 to $105 per copy depending on the state and processing speed.

What if my loved one passed away in a different state to where they lived?

The death is registered in the state where it happened, not where the person lived. The certificate can still be used nationwide for banks, super, insurance and government notifications.

Can I register a death online?

Victoria offers online registration through Service Victoria. WA offers online lodgement via the WA BDM Online portal. TAS funeral directors lodge online via the eDeaths portal. NSW, QLD, SA, ACT and NT require lodgement by mail, email or in person, though most states offer online ordering of certificates after registration.

How long does it take to receive the death certificate?

Typically 2 to 3 weeks from registration, depending on the state. Express services exist in some states for an additional fee.

What if my loved one passed away overseas?

The death is registered in the country where it occurred. The Australian state of last residence may still record the death; check with the relevant registry. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Smartraveller) coordinates consular assistance.

Next steps

Once the registration is lodged:

• How to get a death certificate (and how many copies you will need)
• Frozen bank accounts and paying for the funeral before probate
• Find a funeral director near you