When someone dies overseas
If you're travelling outside New Zealand and someone who is travelling with you dies, contact the nearest NZ embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade office.
If someone dies overseas
NZ embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) can give local burial or cremation options, and advice on how you can bring back the body or ashes. Any costs must be paid for by the family.
You can get an urgent passport if a family member has died and you need to travel urgently to get to their funeral.
Deposit an overseas death certificate
If you want to, you can deposit an overseas death certificate with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) if the deceased person was:
- a New Zealand citizen, or
- ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
The death certificate must be:
- issued from outside New Zealand
- the original (not a copy or PDF)
- translated, if not in English.
Note:
Before you deposit an overseas death certificate, it is important to understand that:
- this is optional
- it is not a registration of death
- BDM keep the certificate on file – it is not returned.
To apply:
- complete the form below
- pay the fee of NZD$55.
Deposit an overseas death certificate BDM42 (PDF 54KB)
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