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.

The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person.

You can receive the application for a death certificate as

• the last spouse or partner
• the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act
• ancestors and descendants of the deceased person or
• siblings with a legitimate interest and
• close relatives with a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court

You can submit the application at any registry office. The certificate is issued by the registry office keeping the register.

The death certificate contains the following information about the deceased person

• The first names and surname, maiden name,
• place and date of birth,
• the last place of residence and marital status,
• the first names and surname, 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 coffining and repatriation,
• the settlement of the estate and
• claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.
  

• for close relatives:
  • Proof of relationship, for example
    • 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, e.g. family or genealogical research
  • Identity card or passport
• if collected by a representative:
  • written power of attorney from the authorized person
  • your own identity card or passport
• for other persons without any relationship:
  • Proof of legal interest, for example
    • certificate of inheritance
    • extract from the land register
  • 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 it is notarized. The certificate will only be issued after notarization.
• 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.
  • 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.
  

• Application for a court decision at the competent district court