Notarizing a death abroad

Duly issued death certificates from abroad are generally recognised in Germany. There is no obligation to subsequently certify the death.

However, the subsequent entry in the death register can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German death certificate. Any translations and certifications of the foreign death certificate will therefore no longer be necessary in future.

the registry office

• at the last German place of residence or stay of the deceased person or
• at the German place of residence or domicile of the person entitled to apply (e.g. German place of residence of the children of the person who died abroad)

In all other cases: the registry office I in Berlin

Registry Office I in Berlin
Schönstedtstr. 5
13357 Berlin (Mitte)
Tel.: + 49 30 90 269-5000
Fax: + 49 30 90 269-5245

Opening hours:
Mon closed
Tue 09:00 - 12:00
Wed closed
Thu 14:00 - 17:00
Fri closed

the registry office

• at the last German place of residence or stay of the deceased person or
• at the German place of residence or domicile of the person entitled to apply (e.g. German place of residence of the children of the person who died abroad)

In all other cases: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy/consulate) or the registry office I in Berlin

Registry Office I in Berlin
Schönstedtstr. 5
13357 Berlin (Mitte)
Tel.: + 49 30 90 269-5000
Fax: + 49 30 90 269-5245

Opening hours:
Mon closed
Tue 09:00 - 12:00
Wed closed
Thu 14:00 - 17:00
Fri closed

• foreign death certificate with translation, if necessary with legalisation/apostille
• Identity card or passport of the person making the application (or a recognised substitute personal document)

Documents of the deceased:

• Proof of marital status (for example, marriage certificate, divorce decree).
• Birth certificate

If the deceased was a naturalized citizen, eligible for asylum, stateless, homeless alien, or refugee in addition:

• Naturalisation certificate or proof of special status.

In addition, the presentation of further documents may be required - please enquire about this in advance at the registry office.

The subsequent certification of the death is possible for:

• German nationals
• Stateless persons, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany.

Entitled to file an application are:

• the children,
• the parents,
• the spouse or partner of the deceased person and
• the German mission abroad in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.

Details about the modalities and the documents that the registry office requires from you in detail, please ask there in advance by phone.

• Compile the necessary documents and visit the registry office.
• The registrar will check whether it is possible to have the marriage recorded by a German registry office.
• If the requirements are met, the entry can be made in the register of deaths.

If required, the registrar's office will issue you with a death certificate after the register entry has been made.

• Certification in the death register: 60,00 Euro
• Death certificate / certified printout from the death register: 10.00 Euro (if ordered at the same time, each additional copy 5.00 Euro)

Additional services, such as the issuing of an apostille or translations, may incur further costs.

The advantage of subsequent certification is that the German registry office can issue a German death certificate if required and consequently no translations and, if necessary, certifications of the foreign death certificate are required.