The death certificate
Registering the death
All deaths which occur in NSW are recorded with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & 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 can apply online.
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.
For more information, go to 
Death certificates on the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages website.
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.
Counter services at NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages are no longer available. If you can’t apply online, you can either use a drop box at the Registry office or lodge a paper application in person at a Service NSW service centre.
From 1 May 2021, you can click & collect the death certificate from the Chippendale or Parramatta NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages if you purchase a priority certificate.
To apply for a death certificate, go to Death certificates on the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages website.
If there are issues getting a copy the death certificate, you should get
legal advice.