In the first days after someone dies, there are a lot of forms, phone calls and decisions, and it is hard to know what you actually have to do yourself. For most families in NSW, the answer is: much less than you might think.

This guide explains, in plain language, what "registering a death" means, who does it, how long it takes, and how to get death certificates when you need them. Take it one step at a time. There is no need to read it all today.

What does it mean to register a death?

Every death in NSW must be recorded with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is called registering the death. It creates the official record, and it has to be done before a death certificate can be issued.

Who registers the death?

If a funeral director is arranging the funeral, the funeral director normally registers the death for you. We ask you for some details about the person who has died, then submit the registration to the Registry. You do not need to fill in the registration form yourself.

If no funeral director is involved, the person arranging the burial or cremation can register the death directly with the Registry.

When is a death registered?

A death can only be registered after the burial or cremation has taken place, because the Registry needs the burial or cremation details to complete the registration. We submit the registration within 7 days of the service. This is the normal process, so there is nothing you need to do or worry about in the meantime. If the person is being repatriated, a different process applies, and we will explain it to you.

What happens first

The cause of death is recorded when the death is registered, and it appears on the death certificate. How we find out the cause depends on the circumstances, and it does not hold up the funeral.

• If the person was under a doctor's care, the doctor completes a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD).

• If the death was sudden, unexpected, or the cause is not clear, it may be referred to the coroner. The coroner's family support team will be in touch with the family directly. We can also call the coroner's office to check whether the person is ready to be released, as long as we have the correct details for the person who has died and their next of kin. The coroner often provides the paperwork authorising the burial or cremation once their checks are complete, even if the cause of death has not yet been determined, so the funeral can go ahead while the coroner waits for test results. If the coroner's results are still pending when the death is registered, the death certificate will show that. We are here to explain each step and help with whatever you need.

What information we will ask for

When we register the death, we need some personal details about the person who has died:

• full name, date of birth and place of birth

• date and place of death

• home address and occupation

• marital status, and the name of their spouse or partner

• names and ages of their children

• full names of both parents, including their mother's maiden name

Please do not worry if you do not know everything on this list. Many families do not, and we can work through the gaps together. Birth and marriage certificates can help if you have them to hand, but they are not essential.

Death certificates: what they are and how to get them

A death certificate is the official copy of the information on the death register. You will often be asked for one when you deal with banks, superannuation funds, insurers and government agencies, and when you manage the person's estate. It is different from the doctor's MCCD. Some organisations may accept the MCCD instead, but this depends on the organisation, so it is best to ask each one what they need.

When we register the death, we order one death certificate for you as part of the process, and it is included in our fees.

Who can apply for a certificate

• the current spouse or de facto partner, parent or child of the person who died, if named on the certificate

• the funeral director, within 30 days of the death being registered

• the executor of the estate

• the solicitor acting for the estate

Everyone who applies needs to provide proof of identity.

What it costs and how long it takes

At the time of writing, the NSW Registry charges $70 for a standard certificate or $105 for priority service. Both include $11 postage and handling. Priority service is not available when a certificate is ordered with the registration.

The certificate we order for you is processed as part of the registration. Please allow up to 4 weeks from the funeral. This allows up to 7 days for us to submit the registration, 7 to 14 days for the Registry to complete the death record registration, then processing and delivery of the certificate.

If you order extra certificates yourself after the death has been registered, the Registry's processing times are:

Standard service ($70)

• Online: up to 3 weeks

• By post: up to 4 weeks

• At a Service NSW service centre: up to 4 weeks

Priority service ($105)

• Online: up to 2 weeks

• By post: up to 3 weeks

• At a Service NSW service centre: up to 3 weeks

These times start once the death has been registered, and they do not include delivery. Please allow another 5 to 7 days for the certificate to arrive by registered post.

If you need more copies later

One certificate is included with our service. If you think you will need more, please talk to us. You can order extra certificates yourself at any time, but within the first 30 days after the death is registered, it is often easier for us to order them for you. After that, you can apply yourself online, by post or at a Service NSW service centre.

Please do not laminate a death certificate. Organisations will not accept a laminated certificate, and neither it nor any copies made from it can be certified.

How Funeral Management Services can help

When you arrange a funeral with us, the paperwork is our job, not yours. We will:

• ask for the personal details we need, in a way that suits you, at your own pace

• explain the MCCD and the coroner process, and help with whatever you need

• submit the registration to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages after the service

• order one death certificate with the registration, which is included in our fees

• explain any costs clearly before anything extra is ordered

Certified copies

Many organisations ask for a certified copy of the death certificate rather than the original. You have a few options, and the choice is always yours:

• We can have the certificate sent to us. Timothy, who is a Justice of the Peace, will make and certify the copies and send the certified copies and the original certificate back to you.

• You can arrange a time with Timothy to have copies certified after you receive the certificate, if that suits you better.

• You can have copies certified yourself by another qualified person, such as another Justice of the Peace.

If you are not sure whether an organisation will need a certified copy, it is easiest to assume that it will, or to ask them directly when you contact them. Most organisations will only discuss a person's account with the family, so we are not always able to check on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register the death myself?

Usually not. If a funeral director is arranging the funeral, they register the death with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on your behalf.

When is the death registered?

In almost all cases, the death is registered after the funeral service. We submit the registration within 7 days of the burial or cremation. If the person is being repatriated, a different process applies.

How long until I receive the death certificate?

Please allow up to 4 weeks from the funeral. We submit the registration within 7 days of the service. The Registry then takes 7 to 14 days to complete the registration of the death record, and the certificate is processed and delivered by registered post.

What if I need more certificates later?

Please talk to us. Within the first 30 days after the death is registered, it is often easier for us to order extra certificates for you. After that, you can apply online, by post or at a Service NSW service centre. A standard certificate is currently $70, including postage, and you will need to provide proof of identity.

Is a death certificate the same as the doctor's certificate (MCCD)?

No. The doctor's medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is used to register the death. The death certificate is the official document issued by the Registry afterwards, and it is the one banks, insurers and government agencies usually ask for. Some organisations may accept the MCCD, depending on what they require, so it is worth asking each one.

What if I am not sure I have all the details?

That is very common. Tell us what you know, and we will help with the rest.

You do not have to do this alone

Losing someone is hard enough without worrying about forms. If you have questions about registering a death or ordering certificates, or about anything else, please get in touch. We are happy to talk things through at whatever pace feels right, and there is never any pressure.

You can find more practical guides on our Guidance & Resources page.

Information about NSW registration, fees and timeframes was current in October 2026. The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages may change these, so we will always confirm the details with you.