Get a death certificate

You might need a death certificate if you're administering someone's estate or applying for a funeral grant from Work and Income or ACC.

Order online — death certificate

If you’re researching family history

You might not need an official death certificate.

Instead, you can order a printout. A printout is a copy of the information on the death record. It is not an official document.

Printouts cost $25.

You can order death printouts from Birth, Deaths and Marriages online.

Births, Deaths and Marriages online

You get your printout by email after about 8 working days.

If you’ll use the death certificate overseas

You may need to get an apostille or authentication certificate for the death certificate, or have it translated into another language.

Use your NZ documents overseas

Translating official documents

Cost

$33 for an official death certificate.

Deliver to an NZ address

  • Standard post is free.
  • Courier $5.

Deliver to an overseas address

Standard post is free.

Overseas courier costs:

  • Australia, Asia, Pacific $15
  • USA $20
  • Europe, UK $25
  • rest of the world $30.

When you’ll get it

Most people get their certificates in 1-2 weeks.

Other ways to order

Order by post using the paper form

Request for death certificate or printout BDM93D (PDF 225KB)

Request for death certificate or printout BDM93D - accessible alternative (TXT 5KB)

Post the completed form to:

Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 10526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Order in person

You can order certificates in person in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch. You'll need photo ID.

To save time, book an appointment online before you visit a BDM office.

Births, Deaths and Marriages offices

Order by phone

Most people can order a death certificate by phone. You can pay by credit or debit card.

Call Births, Deaths and Marriages

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

Utility links and page information

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