Certification of death
Service description
The registry office in whose district the death occurred is responsible for notarizing deaths. Deaths of persons who have died in Kevelaer are recorded at the registry office of the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer. According to the Personal Status Act, every death must be reported to the registry office on the third working day following the death at the latest.
Usually, the funeral director commissioned by the deceased's relatives contacts the registry office and arranges all the formalities.
In the case of deaths in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, hospices and other facilities, the institution responsible for the facility is obliged to report the death in writing.
Legal basis
- Civil Status Act
- Civil Status Ordinance
Required documents
Generally required:
- Valid identification document of the person presenting
- Identity card of the deceased person or foreign passport
- Certificate of residence or a simple registration register information from the residents' registration office of the place of residence, if the current address differs from the address on the identity card or if a passport is presented.
- Medical death certificate (confidential and non-confidential part)
- Written notification of death if the death occurred in a public or private institution (e.g. hospitals, retirement and nursing homes and other institutions), by the responsible body of the institution and by a funeral home registered with a Chamber of Crafts or Chamber of Industry and Commerce and commissioned with the funeral. Otherwise, the notification can also be made verbally by a private individual.
- certified copy from the birth register of the deceased person or a foreign birth certificate with translation into German.
- If applicable, naturalization certificate and certificates of possible name changes
In the case of married persons or persons living in a justified civil partnership, additionally:
- for marriages before 01.01.1958 in Germany or before 03.10.1990 in the former GDR:
Current copy from the marriage entry of the last marriage from the registry office of the marriage or current certified printout from the marriage register of the last marriage with references from the registry office at the place of marriage, provided that the previous marriage has already been recorded in the electronic civil status register. - for marriages from 01.01.1958 in Germany:
Current certified printout from the marriage register of the last marriage with references from the registry office at the place of marriage or at least a current marriage certificate. - For marriages abroad:
Original marriage certificate with translation into German and any necessary legalization (apostille or legalization). - For a civil partnership established in Germany:
Current copy of the civil partnership register from the registry office at the place of establishment
In the case of persons who were last widowed or in the event that a partner is already deceased, the following documents must also be submitted:
The same documents must be submitted as for married persons or persons living in a registered civil partnership. If these documents do not provide sufficient information about the partner's date of death, a death certificate for the deceased spouse or partner is also required.For persons who were last divorced or whose civil partnership has been dissolved:
The same documents must be submitted as for married persons or persons living in a justified civil partnership. If these documents do not provide sufficient information about the divorce or annulment, a legally binding divorce decree or annulment decree is also required.Costs
The notarization of a death is free of charge. Only the death certificates you request are subject to a fee.
First death certificate: € 15.00
Each additional death certificate: € 7.50Mortuary passport: € 15.00
Issue of a temporary burial permit: € 30.00