Apply for a death certificate

Responsibility lies with the registry office in whose area the death occurred.

You are entitled to submit an application for a death certificate as:

• Spouse and partner of the deceased person
• Ancestor and descendant of the deceased person
  (e.g. child, grandchild)
• Siblings of the deceased person, if you can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest, or
• another person, if you can credibly demonstrate a legal interest.

You must be at least 16 years old.

- Proof of identity (copy)

• You apply for a death certificate at the relevant registry office.

• The registry office will check your details and, if you are eligible, will issue the death certificate.

• The registry office will send you the death certificate if no personal collection has been arranged.

• You pay the fees either in advance or after the certificate has been sent to you / when you collect it.

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

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

If the registry office rejects your application for a death certificate, you can apply to the competent court to order the registry office to issue you with the death certificate.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.