Administrative services A-Z

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.

• 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.

• for close relatives:
  • Proof of relationship, such as
    • birth certificate
    • marriage certificate
    • civil partnership certificate
  • Identity card or passport
• 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

The 30-year period for keeping the register of deaths by the registry office must not have expired.

The registry office that recorded the death.

• § Section 55 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 60 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 62 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)