When an Indian passport holder dies in Australia, the family can obtain an Indian death certificate/attestation from the mission and the deceased's passport is cancelled. VFS does not handle death certificate attestation.
Where to apply in Australia
High Commission in Canberra and Consulates-General in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, each for its own jurisdiction (handled by the posts themselves, not VFS). VFS does not attest death certificates.
Perth (WA and NT): since 15 Sept 2026 a Certificate of Registration of Death (Indian passport holders only) must first be filed on the MEA e-SEWA portal (indianconsularservices.mea.gov.in); after scrutiny of about 10 working days the file is lodged with VFS Perth by appointment or courier.
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of India.
How to apply
Submit the death-case Miscellaneous Service form with the documents to the post, in person or by post
Documents you need
- Passport of the deceased for cancellation
- Passport-size photo of the applicant
- Notarised death and cremation certificate with DFAT apostille
- Miscellaneous Service Form in Death Cases
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: free (gratis)
Processing time: One working day in person; one week by post.
Good to know
High Commission fee schedule page shows 'last updated 21-10-2026'.
Official sources
- hcicanberra.gov.in/page/consular-services-offered-by-high-commissio…
- hcicanberra.gov.in/page/modes-of-payment-and-fee-schedule
- cgiperth.gov.in/pages?id=nel5a&subid=en5Rd
- cgiperth.gov.in/misc
- services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/ind/faq
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by India's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of India in Australia
- Affidavit of a parent for a child's passport issued in India
- Attestation of documents
- Certificate/NOC for transporting mortal remains or ashes to India
- Consular registration of Indian nationals and students
- Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
- e-Visa for India
- Emergency Certificate (one-way travel to India)
- Emergency visa (urgent family emergency)
- Endorsement of new passport details on PIO card
- Life certificate and pension papers
- Lost or damaged passport replacement
- Marriage certificate
- NOC for transporting remains of a foreign national of Indian origin
- OCI card - new registration
- OCI miscellaneous services / card re-issue
- OCI passport/particulars update (online)
- Passport for a minor / first passport for a child
- Passport re-issue (expiry or change of particulars)
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Protected Area Permit / Restricted Area Permit
- Registration of birth abroad
- Regular (paper) visa
- Renunciation of OCI
- Surrender of Indian passport / renunciation of Indian citizenship