A death certificate is the official legal record of a person’s death. You’ll need multiple copies — banks, insurance companies, superannuation funds, and government agencies all require one before they can process anything.
How you get one and how long it takes depends on where the death occurred and whether the coroner is involved.
Step 1: Get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
Before you can register a death and receive a death certificate, a doctor must first issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This is the document that confirms the cause and circumstances of death.
Who provides it
- Expected death: The treating doctor or palliative care team
- Death in hospital: The hospital medical team
- Unexpected death: A forensic pathologist appointed by the coroner — this takes longer
When the coroner is involved
If the death was unexpected, violent, or the cause is unknown, the case is referred to the coroner. The coroner may order a post-mortem examination before releasing the medical certificate. This can take weeks or months. During this time, you cannot register the death or obtain a death certificate.
Step 2: Register the Death
Once you have the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, you must register the death with the relevant government authority.
Australia
- Where: The state or territory’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- Who can register: A funeral director usually handles this, or you can do it yourself
- Timeframe: Registration must happen within 14 days in most states. Certificates typically arrive in 7–14 business days, but this varies by state
- Cost: Approximately $30–$60 per copy depending on the state
- Express service: Some states offer priority processing for an additional fee
United Kingdom
- Where: The local register office in the district where the death occurred
- Who can register: A relative, someone present at the death, or the funeral director
- Timeframe: Must be registered within 5 days. Certificates are usually issued the same day if you attend in person
- Cost: £11 per standard certificate (£25 for priority in some areas)
- Tell Us Once: The registrar can notify multiple government agencies through the Tell Us Once service — ask about this when you register
New Zealand
- Where: Department of Internal Affairs
- Who can register: Funeral directors usually handle this, or you can do it yourself within 3 working days
- Timeframe: Standard processing is 5–10 working days
- Cost: Approximately NZD $33 per standard copy
How Long Does It Really Take?
Here is a realistic breakdown of timelines:
| Situation | Time to certificate |
|---|---|
| Expected death, hospital or hospice (AU) | 7–14 days |
| Expected death (UK, attending in person) | Same day to 5 days |
| Expected death (NZ) | 5–10 working days |
| Coroner involved, no autopsy | 2–6 weeks |
| Coroner involved, with autopsy | 4–12 weeks |
| Coroner involved, with inquest | 3–12 months |
How Many Copies Should You Order?
Order at least 5–10 certified copies. You will need to provide original certificates to:
- Each bank or financial institution where the deceased held accounts
- Superannuation fund(s) or pension provider(s)
- Life insurance company
- Centrelink / DWP / Work and Income NZ
- The probate registry (if applying for probate)
- The executor or administrator of the estate
- Shares and investments providers
It is much cheaper to order extra copies now than to order more later. Most registries charge a reissue fee and take the same time again.
Searching for Historical Death Records
Death records are public information after a certain period:
- Australia: Records are publicly searchable after 30 years. Each state has its own registry with online search tools
- UK: The General Register Office holds records from 1837. The GRO online index is free to search
- New Zealand: Births, Deaths and Marriages historical records are searchable online