In New South Wales, Death Certificates are available to:

• The next of kin named on the death certificate, i.e. spouse (married/defacto), parent or child of the deceased
• The funeral director (within two months of the registration of death)
• Solicitor acting for next of kin or Estate
• Executor of the Estate

If you are a relative not listed on the certificate, the certificate can be issued to you if the deceased has no spouse, children or parents still alive.

• Please provide at least three (3) forms of your identification with your application.

If you are not named on the Death Certificate, you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

1. Provide written authority AND at least three (3) forms of identification from the person providing the authority, plus your own identification.
2. Show a document establishing custody or guardianship of the deceased.
3. Show Power of Attorney for one of the person's named on the death certificate.
   

Solicitors Applying For a Certificate

Solicitors' requests for certificates are processed differently to normal applications.

For solicitor's the Registry requires a letter on company letterhead stating the reason the certificate is required (“legal” is not sufficient, a specific reason is required i.e. Probate, Estate Administration), together with the name of the client for whom the solicitor is acting.

The letter must also be accompanied by:
1. a completed application form, and
2. a photocopy of your Law Society ID Card or Practising Certificate.

The name of the solicitor handling the enquiry should be written in the Applicant's Details section. Payment must be made with a company or trust cheque, or company credit card.