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Death certificates

The coroner provides the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages with information about the cause of death so the death can be registered and a death certificate issued.

Standard death certificate

You or your funeral director can order a standard death certificate. The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will mail the certificate to either yourself or to a person you have nominated after all the particulars of the death have been registered.

A standard death certificate is commonly required for financial and other official purposes as proof of the death.

Interim death certificate

In matters where the coroner has not yet established the cause of death, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages can issue an interim death certificate. However, as an interim death certificate does not specify the cause of death, it may not be accepted for all official purposes.

The court can also provide 'confirmation of death letter', confirming that a death has occurred. These documents are not accepted by all financial and legal institutions for official purposes.

It is always best to check with the organisation you are dealing with as to whether they will accept an interim death certificate.

Last updated on 18 Feb 2021