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Apply for a death certificate for a family member
If one of your family members has died, you can apply for a death certificate at the relevant registry office.
Your responsible authority
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Detailed description
The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person. Every death must be reported to the registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.
You can apply for a death certificate as a family member in the event of death and have it issued after the death has been registered in the death register.
The death certificate can be important, for example, for
- the funeral and its preparation (such as for coffining and transportation),
- the settlement of the estate and
- claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.
You can apply for a death certificate at the relevant registry office.
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Requirements
- You are the last spouse, or
- You are the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act or
- You are an ancestor or descendant of the deceased person or
- You are a sister or brother with a legitimate interest or
- You are part of the immediate family, for example aunt and uncle, who can credibly demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.
- You are at least 16 years old.
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Documents
- for close relatives:
- Proof of relationship, such as
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- civil partnership certificate
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of relationship, such as
- for siblings of the deceased person:
- Proof of the family relationship
- Proof of legitimate interest, such as family or genealogical research
- Identity card or passport
- if collected by a representative:
- written power of attorney from the authorized person
- their identity card or passport and
- their own identity card or passport
- for other persons without any relationship:
- Proof of legal interest, such as
- certificate of inheritance
- extract from the land register
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of legal interest, such as
- for close relatives:
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Deadline
The 30-year period for keeping the register of deaths by the registry office must not have expired.
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Responsible authority
The registry office that recorded the death.
- Legal basis
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Approved
Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)
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Approved date
24.10.2022;05.05.2017