Death certificate issue

You can apply for the death certificate at the relevant registry office in person, in writing or electronically.

Personal application:

• Go to your local registry office during opening hours to apply for a death certificate.
• You must present your identity card or passport for legitimisation.
• You usually pay the fee when you apply at the registry office.
• You can also have the death certificate applied for and collected by a person you trust. In addition to a written power of attorney, this person must present their own and your identity card or passport (original or certified copy).

Application by post, fax or e-mail:

• Send the relevant registry office an informal application for a death certificate by post, fax or e-mail.
• Your letter should address your eligibility to apply.
• They must contain the following information about the deceased person:
  • Surname, first name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Date and place of death
  • details of the deceased's spouse, if applicable
  • Registry office and notarisation number (if known)
• You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you.

The registry office that notarised the death.

You can apply for a death certificate:

• the last spouse,
• the last life partner within the meaning of the law on registered civil partnerships,
• ancestors and descendants of the deceased person or
• Siblings with a legitimate interest,
• closer relatives, such as
  • Aunts and uncles who can credibly demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.

You must submit your application:

• Identity card or passport
• Proof of relationship, such as
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Civil partnership certificate
• if collected by a representative:
  • Written authorisation from the authorised person,
  • their identity card in original or certified copy and
  • your own ID card
• for other persons, such as close relatives:
  • Proof of legitimate interest, such as
    • Certificate of inheritance
    • Land register extract

• § Section 55(1)(4) of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 60 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

• Contradiction,
• Administrative court action
   

• Forms: yes
• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: no

Note:
applications can usually be submitted via the website of the relevant registry office.
 

• Death certificate issue
• every death must be reported to the registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred no later than the third working day following the death
• a death certificate can be issued as soon as the death has been recorded in the death register
• You can apply for a death certificate:
  • the last spouse,
  • the last life partner within the meaning of the law on registered civil partnerships,
  • ancestors and descendants of the deceased person or
  • Siblings with a legitimate interest and
  • closer relatives, such as aunts and uncles, who can credibly demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court
• The death certificate is important, for example, for
  • the funeral and its preparation (e.g. for the coffin and transport),
  • the settlement of the estate,
• Claiming statutory or private insurance benefits Information from: competent registry office
• Application via: Application must be submitted to the relevant registry office in person, in writing or electronically
• Responsible: The registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.