Death certificate; application

In the event of death, relatives can apply for a death certificate for the deceased person.

The death certificate is an important document that you can apply for as a relative in the event of death.

You can apply for a death certificate as soon as the death has been recorded in the death register.

The death certificate is important, for example, for

• the funeral and its preparation (e.g. for the coffin and repatriation) and
• the settlement of the estate
• claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.

You can obtain the death certificate in various forms:

• As a death certificate, possibly with translation assistance for use in European Union countries.
• As a multilingual death certificate, which is valid in all countries that have signed the Convention of September 8, 1976 on the issue of multilingual extracts from civil status records. For more information, see Civil status law - Convention - No. 16: Convention on the issue of multilingual extracts from civil status records.
• As a certified printout from the death register. This printout contains all the data entered by the registry office when the death was certified.

• Applying for a death certificate

  Apply in person:

  • Bring your identity card or passport with you.
  • Your family relationship must be explained and, if necessary, proven
  • An authorized person must bring a written power of attorney as well as the identity card or passport (original or copy) of the person granting the power of attorney and their own identity card or passport.

  Written application:

  • Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport.
  • Your family relationship must be explained and, if necessary, proven.

The following persons over the age of 16 can submit an application:

• Ancestors and descendants, e.g. parents, children or grandchildren (the relationship must be explained and, if necessary, proven).

• Siblings of the deceased person, if they can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest (relationship must be explained and, if necessary, proven).

• Other persons who can prove a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court, a court judgment or an enforceable title.

Application for a court decision at the local court responsible for the registry office

You can apply for the death certificate at the registry office that notarized the death.

Applying in person:

• You may need to make an appointment to apply in person.
• Bring your identity card or passport with you.
• You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you apply.
• A trusted person can also order and collect the certificate for you. This person will need a written power of attorney as well as your identity card or passport (original or copy) and your identity card or passport.

Written application:

• Address an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking for the death certificate to be issued.
• Your letter should contain the following information about the deceased person:
  • Surname and first names
  • Date and place of birth
  • Date and place of death
  • Details of the spouse, if applicable
  • If known, the notarization number and the registry office
  • If available, further proof, e.g. of legal interest or exemption from fees.
• Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport.

Electronic application:

• If the registry office offers an online option, go to the relevant website.
• If necessary, log in using the online ID function of your ID card.
• Enter the required data and, if necessary, upload the required documents.
• Submit the application online.

Please contact the registry office in advance to find out how much the fees are and what payment options are available.

Death certificates and certified register printouts can only be requested from the registry office up to 30 years after the death was recorded in the death register. The archive of the municipality to which the registry office belongs is responsible for older entries.

usually 2 to 10 days

• Fee for a death certificate: EUR 12.00
• Fee for a certified printout: EUR 12.00
• Fee for a multilingual death certificate: EUR 12.00
• Fee for issuing a translation aid (multilingual form pursuant to Art. 7 Regulation (EU) No. 2016/1191): EUR 12.00
• Fee for death certificate for the statutory pension insurance or for the social welfare office: none