Search for authorities
Apply for a death certificate for a family member
The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person.
You can apply for a death certificate if you
- are related to the deceased person in a direct line or are a spouse or civil partner, or
- have a legitimate legal interest, for example through a certificate of inheritance or an extract from the land register
You can also apply for an international death certificate at the German registry office. This is a multilingual form that makes it easier for you to settle the estate abroad.
You can submit the application at any registry office. The certificate is issued by the relevant registry office. The registry office of the place where the person concerned died is responsible.
The death certificate contains the following details of the deceased person:
- First name, surname and maiden name
- Place and date of birth
- last place of residence and marital status
- first names, surname and maiden name of the spouse or civil partner
- Place and time of death
The death certificate can be important, for example, for
- the funeral and its preparation, for example for the coffin and repatriation
- the settlement of the estate
- claiming statutory or private insurance benefits
- An application for a death certificate may be submitted by persons who
- are related to the deceased person by blood, marriage or civil partnership, or
- who have a legitimate legal interest, for example through a certificate of inheritance or an extract from the land register
- Death certificate includes the following data of the deceased person:
- First name and surname,
- surname at birth,
- Place and date of birth,
- last place of residence and marital status,
- first names and surname and maiden name of the spouse or civil partner
- Death certificate, for example, important for
- Funeral and preparation (e.g. for the coffin and transfer)
- Settlement of the estate
- Claiming statutory or private insurance benefits
- for close relatives or spouses:
- Proof of relationship or marriage, for example
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- civil partnership certificate
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of relationship or marriage, for example
- for siblings of the deceased person:
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of legitimate interest, e.g. family or genealogical research
- Identity card or passport
- for representation:
- Written power of attorney from the authorized person
- the identity card or passport of the person representing and the person being represented
- for other persons without a family relationship:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- certificate of inheritance
- extract from the land register
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- Identity card or passport
- The death is recorded in the death register of the relevant registry office.
- You can apply for the certificate to be issued before the death is notarized. The certificate will only be issued after notarization.
- You are
- the last spouse or partner or
- the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act or
- parents or grandparents or descendants of the deceased person or
- sister or brother with a legitimate interest or
- part of the immediate family, for example aunt or uncle, and can substantiate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.
- for other persons without any family connection:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- certificate of inheritance
- extract from the land register
- Identity card or passport
- You are at least 16 years old.
- Proof of legal interest, for example
Every registry office must keep a record of deaths for 30 years. The application for a death certificate must be made within this period.
- Application for a court decision at the competent district court
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Short versionLegal basisRequired documentsPreconditionsDeadlinesLegal remedyReference to translation
- An application for a death certificate may be submitted by persons who
- are related to the deceased person by blood, marriage or civil partnership, or
- who have a legitimate legal interest, for example through a certificate of inheritance or an extract from the land register
- Death certificate includes the following data of the deceased person:
- First name and surname,
- surname at birth,
- Place and date of birth,
- last place of residence and marital status,
- first names and surname and maiden name of the spouse or civil partner
- Death certificate, for example, important for
- Funeral and preparation (e.g. for the coffin and transfer)
- Settlement of the estate
- Claiming statutory or private insurance benefits
- for close relatives or spouses:
- Proof of relationship or marriage, for example
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- civil partnership certificate
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of relationship or marriage, for example
- for siblings of the deceased person:
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of legitimate interest, e.g. family or genealogical research
- Identity card or passport
- for representation:
- Written power of attorney from the authorized person
- the identity card or passport of the person representing and the person being represented
- for other persons without a family relationship:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- certificate of inheritance
- extract from the land register
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- Identity card or passport
- The death is recorded in the death register of the relevant registry office.
- You can apply for the certificate to be issued before the death is notarized. The certificate will only be issued after notarization.
- You are
- the last spouse or partner or
- the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act or
- parents or grandparents or descendants of the deceased person or
- sister or brother with a legitimate interest or
- part of the immediate family, for example aunt or uncle, and can substantiate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.
- for other persons without any family connection:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- certificate of inheritance
- extract from the land register
- Identity card or passport
- You are at least 16 years old.
- Proof of legal interest, for example
Every registry office must keep a record of deaths for 30 years. The application for a death certificate must be made within this period.
- Application for a court decision at the competent district court
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.