Correct a death certificate

Victoria has declared a State of Emergency due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our customer service and call centres are closed until further notice.

You can still apply online for certificates and registrations. Check our certificate turnaround times for how long it will take.

We are prioritising critical certificate or registration requests. For critical needs only:

Apply online, then
Email bdmcritical@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) with your reference number and reason(s) why it is critical.

For information about COVID-19, visit the DHHS website (External link)

If there's an error on a death certificate, you can apply to have it corrected.

What we need from you

We'll ask you for the following information during the application process:

1. Details of the person on the certificate

As a minimum, we ask for:

Given name and family name
Date and place of death.

2. The original death certificate

We ask that you return the original death certificate before we can issue a new corrected version.

If you don't have the original, you need to provide a statutory declaration explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.

You'll need to apply for a new death certificate once we've corrected the death record.

If the original death certificate is returned, we issue a replacement certificate free of charge. If the original isn't returned, there is a fee for the new certificate.

3. Evidence to support the correction

The evidence we ask for depends on the correction you want to make.

For documents in a language other than English, provide an English translation by a qualified translator. Approved translators can be found at naati.com.au (External link) or by contacting Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 1450.

4. Proof of your identity

Acceptable documents

One of the easiest ways to prove your identity is by presenting your driver licence (if it confirms your residential address) and your Passport.

Alternatively, you can provide your driver licence, medicare card and bank card.

Alternatively, there are other ways to prove your identity.

Evidence required

The evidence listed below covers the most common correction requests. If you can't provide the evidence listed, send the best evidence you have available.

If we hold the evidence (e.g. a birth certificate) you don't need to provide a copy of it.

Correction	Acceptable evidence
Any name on the certificate	Either a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or overseas passport relevant to the name being corrected.
Date, place or cause of death	Evidence of correct information, supported by an email (first preference) or letter of consent from the certifying Doctor, the Coroner or a Treating Consultant.
Date or place of marriage	Marriage certificate (interstate or overseas marriage).
Relationship status	One of the following: Marriage certificate (interstate or overseas marriage) Divorce certificate 'No record' result from the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Add name of domestic partner (for deaths since 1 July 2016)	Documents in both names, such as: Superannuation statements Tenancy agreements in both names Bank statements in both names.
Remove name of domestic partner (for deaths since 1 July 2016)	Statutory declaration stating you weren't in a domestic relationship with the deceased.
Previous children (names or ages)	One of the following: Birth certificate (Australian or overseas) Citizenship certificate (Australian or overseas) Overseas passport.

Timeframes and delivery

How long will it take for a corrected certificate to be issued?

Processing start date	Processing time	Pick up/delivery
Date received Full application with proof of identity and evidence	28 days (4 weeks)	Pickup 595 Collins Street Melbourne or 6 days Australia post

Processing start date

Processing time

Pick up/delivery

Date received

Full application
with proof of identity and evidence

28 days (4 weeks)

Pickup
595 Collins Street
Melbourne

6 days
Australia post

Track the progress of your corrected certificate (External link)

Fees and payment

If the original death certificate is returned	If the original death certificate IS NOT returned
No fee	$33.80 The price of a legal death certificate applies

Postage fees

We can’t refund postage fees if you decide to collect your certificate(s) in person.

Postage within Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	Click and collect 595 Collins St, Melbourne	FREE
Legal certificate	Express post	$10.00

Postage outside Australia

Type of certificate	Postage and handling method	Price
Legal certificate	International express	$54.10

See Australia Post (External link) for product details.

Check the Payment methods we accept

Apply now (External link)