The death certificate 

​Registering the death

All deaths which occur in NSW are recorded with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). The funeral director will usually complete the registration of the death with BDM.

If you are the executor or next of kin and prefer to do the registration yourself, you will need to complete the death registration form at BDM.

You will need to provide certain details on the form about the identity of the deceased, such as: 

• their full name 
• their date of birth 
• the place of death 
• their usual occupation 
• the name of their spouse or de facto partner 
• the names of their children 
• the names of their parents.

BDM will issue a death certificate to the next of kin or a person authorised by the next of kin such as an executor or the funeral director normally within a few weeks. ​

Obtaining the death certificate

You can apply for a death certificate after the death has been registered with BDM.

The next of kin can apply for a death certificate from BDM for a fee.

For information on current fees, go to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website.

To apply for a death certificate, go to the forms section of the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website.

 If there are issues getting a copy the death certificate, you should get legal advice.​