Register a Death — BDM (All States and Territories)

Issuing authority

State and Territory Births, Deaths and Marriages Registries

Official source

How to apply

1. Attend to the immediate medical and legal requirements: a medical practitioner must issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), or the death must be reported to the Coroner where the cause is unknown, sudden, or suspicious.
2. Engage a funeral director — in most cases the funeral director registers the death on behalf of the family as part of their standard services at no extra charge.
3. Complete the Death Registration Statement (DRS): the next of kin or funeral director provides personal particulars of the deceased (full name, date of birth, occupation, address, parents' details, marital status, surviving relatives).
4. The MCCD (from the doctor or Coroner) and the DRS must both be submitted to the relevant state or territory BDM registry — both documents are matched by the registry before registration is complete.
5. Submit within the statutory timeframe: NSW and Victoria require registration within 7 days of the disposal (burial or cremation); other states have similar short windows (check your state's BDM).
6. If no funeral director is involved, the next of kin or relative can register directly — contact your state BDM registry for the self-lodgement form and process (e.g. call NSW BDM on 13 77 88 to request the paper form).
7. Once both documents are received and matched, the BDM registry issues a registration number confirming the death is formally registered.
8. Apply separately for a death certificate if required — registration and issuing a certificate are separate steps; the certificate can usually be applied for online once registration is complete.

Related topics

Related forms

• Apply for Probate
• Letters of Administration (No Will)
• Family Provision Application (Disputing a Will)
• Caveat Against Probate
• Notify Centrelink of a Death