Confirming and registering the death
Registering the death and getting a death certificate
Notifying Births, Death and Marriages so that the death can be registered
Births, Death, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 1995, ss 42, 47, 48
After the deceased’s body has been buried or cremated, Births, Deaths and Marriages at the Department of Internal Affairs must be notified. This has to be done within three working days.
If a funeral director is in charge of the burial or cremation, they’ll take care of notifying Births, Deaths and Marriages. If you’re not using a funeral director, this will be the responsibility of the person in charge of the body, which will be the executor under the deceased’s will or, if there’s no will, the closest relative (see: “Decisions about the deceased’s body”).
You’ll need to fill out the special form for this, called a “Notification of Death for Registration” form (BDM 28). To get a copy of this form, phone 0800 22 52 52, or go into a Births, Deaths and Marriages office. They have offices in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington and Christchurch.
It doesn’t cost anything to register a death, but there is a charge if you want a copy of the death certificate (see below).
Getting a copy of the Death Certificate
When Births, Deaths and Marriages has officially registered the death, they’ll issue a New Zealand Death Certificate.
Having a copy of the Death Certificate can be important, for example, for getting funds released from the deceased’s bank when it’s only a small estate (see: “Small estates: No need for court approval”).
To get a copy of the certificate you’ll need to apply for it and pay the relevant fee. You can apply when you fill out the notification form (see above).
