Get a death certificate

Why you need one

A death certificate is the official record of a death and can be used as proof of:

• death
• a relationship to someone who has died.

A death certificate is important for:

• transferring or cancelling services
• administering a will.

You usually will not need to apply for a death certificate. If you're using a funeral director, they will apply for one for you when they register the death.

How to apply

You can apply for a death certificate if you are the:

• next of kin named on the death certificate (for example, current married or defacto spouse, parent, child)
• funeral director
• executor of the estate
• solicitor acting for next of kin or the estate.

If you are a relative not listed on the death certificate, a certificate can be issued to you if:

• the deceased person has no living next of kin
• you can meet proof of identity requirements.

Submit your application with the supporting documents:

• online
• in person at a Service NSW branch office, or
• by post.

You can check the status of an application at the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Extract death certificate

An extract death certificate is an official certified copy of part of the information held on the death register. It can be issued with or without the cause of death.

The extract may not be accepted by some organisations due to the limited information it contains.

Certified copies

To cancel or transfer ownership of a service, many companies will need a 'certified copy' of the death certificate. 

This is a photocopy of a document that has been seen by a Justice of the Peace (JP) with the original document.

If you’re making changes to lots of services, it’s a good idea to get many copies certified by the JP at the same time.

Find a Justice of the Peace in NSW.