Request a death certificate

You can request a death certificate if you’re named on the death registration as the deceased’s:

• Spouse
• domestic partner (current partner at time of death only)
• parent
• child.

Read about death registration.

If you’re not named on the death registration, you’ll need to either:

• gain consent from someone who is, or
• provide evidence of your relationship to the deceased.

All requests for certificates are assessed against the Births, Deaths and Marriages Access Policy [PDF 392KB].

Coronial inquests

Access Canberra won’t issue a death certificate without a cause of death finding.

The interim certificate will reference that the death has been registered but that the cause of death information is awaiting the coroner’s findings.

You can apply for the updated certificate when the Coroner’s Office has concluded the cause of death.

Apply for a death certificate or interim death certificate

You can apply online:

1. Complete the Application for a certificate form.
2. Upload evidence of your relationship to the deceased or attach a completed Third Party Consent form.
3. Pay the fee (unless you’re eligible for a fee waiver) and keep a copy of the receipt number.
4. Show your identification when the certificate arrives by registered post.

Apply for a death certificate

Request Third Party Consent

For information about a fee waiver, email bdm@act.gov.au or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Fee waivers will be assessed against the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Financial Hardship Fee Waiver Policy [PDF 380kB].

Organ and tissue donor acknowledgement

If the deceased was an organ or tissue donor, this can be formally acknowledged by:

• a statement in the death register that can be applied to the death certificate. The statement reads ‘The deceased gave a gift of life, generously donating organs/tissue’
• a letter from the ACT Chief Minister acknowledging the precious gift of life the donor gave.

Only the deceased’s next of kin can make this request.

This application can be made at any time. If you would like the acknowledgement made when the death is registered, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

There is no fee for this application, or for a reissued death certificate with the acknowledgement.

Apply for an acknowledgement

To request an acknowledgement:

1. The next of kin of the deceased should contact Donate Life ACT and request a donor confirmation letter. You will need to upload a scan or photo of this document to apply.
2. Complete the Organ and Tissue Donor Acknowledgement Application form. You can request either the statement, the letter or both. You can also request the death certificate is reissued with the statement added.

Apply for a donor acknowledgement

Certificate security

Death certificates are printed on security paper that make them almost impossible to copy or tamper with.

They include:

• See-through Register
• Anti-Copy Screen Tapping
• Security Pattern
• Microtext – Positive/Negative
• Split Colour Rainbow
• Unique Serial Number
• UV Invisible Florescence
• UV Visible Florescence
• UV Rainbow.

If you think you have a fraudulent death certificate, email the Births, Deaths and Marriages team: BDM@act.gov.au

Turnaround times

Access Canberra will process your request within 15 business days of receiving all required documents. This timeframe does not include Australia Post delivery times.

Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 if you don’t receive your certificate within this timeframe.