Bundesportal | Death Certificate; Application

More Information

Publisher

Bavaria

Last update or date of publication

August 5, 2026

A death certificate is an important document that you, as a family member, can request in the event of a death.

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

A death certificate is important, for example, for:

the funeral and its preparation (such as for placing the body in the casket and transporting it) as well as
settling the estate
claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.

You can obtain the death certificate in various formats:

As a death certificate, possibly with a translation 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 Issuance of Multilingual Extracts from Civil Status Registers. For more information, see Civil Status Law – Conventions – No. 16: Convention on the Issuance of Multilingual Extracts from Civil Status Registers.
As a certified printout from the death registry. This printout contains all the data that the civil registry office entered when recording the death.

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.

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Preconditions

The following individuals over the age of 16 may submit an application:

Ancestors and descendants, such as parents, children, or grandchildren (the family relationship must be explained and, if necessary, documented).

Siblings of the deceased, provided they can demonstrate a legitimate interest (the family relationship must be explained and, if necessary, substantiated).

Other individuals who can demonstrate a legal interest, for example, through a letter from the probate court, a court judgment, or an enforceable title.

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

Procedure

You can request a death certificate from the civil registry office that registered the death.

In-person application:

You may need to make an appointment to apply in person.
Please bring your ID card or passport.
You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you submit your application.
A trusted person may also order and pick up the certificate on your behalf. This person will need a written power of attorney, as well as their own ID card or passport (original or copy) and your ID card or passport.

Written Application:

Send an informal letter to the relevant civil registry office requesting the issuance of the death certificate.
Your letter should include the following information about the deceased person:
- Last name and first name
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of death
- Information about the spouse, if applicable
- If known, the registration number and the registry office
- If available, additional supporting documents, such as proof of a legal interest or an exemption from fees.
Please include a copy of your ID card or passport.

Submitting an Application Online:

If the civil registry office offers an online option, visit the corresponding website.
If necessary, log in using the online ID function on your ID card.
Enter the required information and, if necessary, upload the required documents.
Submit the application online.

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

Deadlines

Death certificates and certified copies of registry records can only be requested from the civil registry office up to 30 years after the entry was recorded in the death registry. For older entries, the archive of the municipality to which the civil registry office belongs is responsible.

Processing time

usually 2 to 10 days

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