Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 - SECT 37

Notification of deaths by doctors

37. Notification of deaths by doctors



(1) A doctor who was responsible for a person's medical care immediately
before death, or who examines the body of a deceased person after death, must,
within 48 hours after the death, notify the Registrar of the death and of the
cause of the death in a form and manner approved by the Registrar and
specifying any prescribed particulars.

Penalty: 12 penalty units.

(2) When a notice is given under subsection (1), the doctor must also give a
notice in the form and manner approved by the Registrar and specifying any
prescribed particulars that the death has occurred to the funeral director or
other person who will be arranging for the disposal of the human remains.

Penalty: 12 penalty units.

(3) However, a doctor is not required to give a notice under subsection (1) or
(2) if another doctor has given the required notices.

(4) A doctor must not give a notice under subsection (1) or (2) if a coroner
or police officer is required to be notified of the death under the
Coroners Act 1985.

Penalty: 12 penalty units.