Application for the issue of a German death certificate in the event of a death abroad

• You submit the application for the death certificate to the relevant registry office and enclose the required documents.
• The registry office will check your details and the documents you have submitted and, if necessary, issue the death certificate.
• The registry office will send you the death certificate by post if no personal collection has been arranged.
• The fees are paid either in advance or after sending / on collection.

You submit the application to the registry office that has subsequently certified the death abroad in the death register kept by it.

• the prior subsequent certification of the death abroad in a German death register.
• An application for the issue of a death certificate can be made by
  • Spouses and life partners of the deceased person
  • Ancestors and descendants of the deceased person (e.g. child, grandchild)
  • Siblings of the deceased person, if they can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest, or
  • other persons, if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest
• Applicants must be over 16 years of age.

• As the applicant, you must provide proof of your identity (identity card, passport or copy of ID document)
• you may be required to submit further documents.

The 30-year period for keeping the register of deaths by the registry office must not have expired.

• §§ 61 ff. Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 55 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

07.10.2020