Documents Required
Professional assistance with all required documentation
About Documents Required
When a loved one passes, there are some official documents that need to be taken care of; one of these documents is the official Death Certificate. This certificate is an official document which is kept at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages— this is separate from the Cause of Death Certificate which will be signed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or Coroner. In New Zealand, a Death Certificate is legally required, and the length of time it takes to be issued by the Registry can vary; sometimes, it is a matter of days, or it can take several weeks.
How do I obtain a Death Certificate in NZ?
Your funeral director can assist you with the application process, which involves filling out a registration application form. You will need to collect information about the deceased to add to this form, including details of all marriages, the names and occupations of their parents, the mother's maiden name and some other details such as the names and dates of birth of their children. It will help if you can find marriage and birth certificates before addressing this form, and you will need to register the occupation, residential address, place of birth and death of your loved one. The form includes a question on religion, and you will need to state where the person will be buried or cremated, their date of birth, and your relationship to the deceased. To help you collate all the required information, we have added a list at the bottom of this page.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
This is a separate document from the Death Certificate and must be completed by a medical professional who attended the deceased or a coroner in cases where the death was unexpected or requires investigation.
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