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A quick guide to death certificates

July 31, 2023

When someone you love dies, it can feel very overwhelming. Not only will you be working through the funeral arrangements and your feelings of loss, but there is also what can feel like a mountain of paperwork.


One of the most important pieces of administration is the death certificate.


How do I obtain a death certificate for my loved one?

Your funeral director can take care of this for you; or you can register

the death and obtain a death certificate yourself via Births, Deaths and

Marriages.


What information will I need?

When you meet with your funeral director, they will ask you to complete a form requesting information for Births, Deaths and Marriages. The death can’t be registered until after burial or cremation, so if you need a bit of time to complete the form, that’s absolutely fine. You will be asked for details such as:


- The deceased’s personal details, including date of birth, ethnicity, and how many years they have been in New Zealand (if they were born overseas),

- The names and occupations of the deceased’s parents,

- The ages of the deceased’s children,

- Details of any applicable relationships or marriages, including where the marriage/civil union took place and how old the deceased was at the time of marriage/civil union,

- If the deceased was a Justice of the Peace, celebrant, or recipient of any honours/awards.


How long does the death certificate take to arrive?

It can take up to 10 working days from the time of registration of death, excluding courier time.


Do I need to get copies?

It is useful to have copies on hand. At Gillions, we have a Justice of the Peace onsite who can certify these for you.


What is the difference between a death certificate and the Medical Causes of Death document?

A death certificate is a legal document recorded with the Department of Internal Affairs, which is needed for things like closing bank accounts, processing life insurance, executing the estate, and can be very useful

for genealogical research. The Medical Causes of Death document is prepared by a doctor, and can’t be used for legal processes.


If you have any questions about death certificates, or want to chat in more detail, just let us know. We’re always happy to help.


By: Ainslie Haddon

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