Overseas deaths

Do I need to register a death or get a death certificate?

If a Victorian resident dies overseas, you usually don’t need to register the death in Victoria. The death should be registered in the country where the person died. A death certificate is then generally issued by that country.

We assess all applications before registering an overseas death.

Smart Traveller’s Someone has died overseas(opens in a new window) page gives more information.

Apply now by email

What you'll need

We’ll ask you for the following.

Details of the deceased

As a minimum, we ask for:

• Given name
• Family name
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Residential address

You can use this proof of identity questionnaire if you're not sure which option is best for you.

Evidence required

For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Learn more about translated documents.

You must attach a certified copy of the following documents:

• Proof of the deceased’s identity. Learn more about proving identity.
• Evidence that the deceased had the right to live in Australia, for example:
  • A valid Australian passport for the deceased
    OR
  • A document issued by the Department of Home Affairs, for example:
    • Australian Citizenship Certificate
    • Australian visa (with overseas passport)
    • ImmiCard
    • Document for Travel to Australia
• Overseas death certificate or medical certificate of cause of death.
• Evidence that you need a Victorian death certificate, for example:
  • A letter from an organisation requesting a Victorian death certificate
• Evidence that the deceased normally lived in Victoria. At least one document in the deceased’s name from the list below must be provided. Documents in this list must cover at least the last 12 months.
  • Rates notice
  • Utility accounts (e.g. electricity, gas, water or home phone bill)
  • Lease or tenancy agreement
• Identity known in the community. At least one document including the deceased’s name from the list below must be provided.
  • Medicare card
  • Marriage certificate issued in Australia
  • Change of name certificate issued in Australia
  • Divorce certificate issued in Australia
  • Student or tertiary identity card
  • Australian security guard or crowd controller licence
  • Working with Children Check card.
• A statutory declaration(opens in a new window) setting out:
  • The circumstances of the deceased’s death
  • The date the deceased departed Australia
  • The date the deceased arrived in their overseas destination
  • The date the deceased intended on returning to Australia
  • The reason why the death should be registered in Victoria.

How long will it take to get my certificate?

When you apply, we email you details of documents you need to provide. Our processing times start when we receive all required documents.

Registration can take longer for overseas deaths. If it’s urgent, please contact the team directly(opens in a new window).

Types of certificates

Legal certificates

All death certificate applications include a legal death certificate. Learn more about death certificates and packages.

Certificate fees and postage

The fees are non-refundable except as set out on our Refunds page. A fee waiver may be available in certain circumstances of financial hardship.

Certificate fees

Postage

We send legal certificates by express post, for security.

For commemorative certificates, you may only choose standard post. This is because they're not official identity documents. Legal and commemorative certificates will arrive separately.

Payment methods

Pay via credit card, Paypal or BPAY.

After you've submitted your application

You'll receive an email after you've submitted your application.

If you didn't receive an email after applying, first check your spam inbox. If you still don't have the email, read about common causes of delay.

Once we have everything we need, we complete your application within processing timeframes and email to let you know when we've posted your certificate.

Apply now by email