Apply for a death certificate as a relative
Full text
The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person.
You can receive the application for the issue of a death certificate as
- the last spouse or the last spouse
- the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act (Gesetz über die Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft)
- Ancestors and descendants of the deceased person or
- Siblings with a legitimate interest and
- Closest relatives with a legal interest, for example through a letter from the probate court
You can submit the application at any registry office. It is issued by the registry office keeping the register.
The death certificate contains the following details of the deceased person:
- the first names and surname, maiden name,
- Place and day of her birth,
- the last place of residence and marital status,
- the first names and surname, maiden name of the spouse or civil partner,
- Place and time of death.
The death certificate can be important, for example, for
- the funeral and its preparation, for example for coffining and repatriation,
- the settlement of estates and
- the utilisation of statutory or private insurance benefits.
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- for close relatives:
- Proof of relationship, for example
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Civil partnership certificate
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of relationship, for example
- for siblings of the deceased person:
- Proof of the family relationship
- Proof of legitimate interest, for example family or genealogical research
- Identity card or passport
- if collected by a representative:
- Written authorisation from the authorised person
- your own identity card or passport
- for other persons without any relationship:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- Certificate of inheritance
- Land register extract
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- for close relatives:
Prerequisites
- The death is notarised in the death register of the relevant registry office. You can apply for the certificate to be issued before the death is notarised. The certificate will only be issued after notarisation.
- You are the last spouse or the last spouse or
- You are the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act or
- You are an ancestor or descendant of the deceased person, or
- You are a sister or brother with a legitimate interest or
- They are part of the immediate family, for example aunts and uncles, who can demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.
- for other persons without any relationship:
- Proof of legal interest, for example
- Certificate of inheritance
- Land register extract
- Identity card or passport
- for other persons without any relationship:
- You are at least 16 years old.
Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)
The amount of the fees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is based on tariff item 4 of the General Tariff of Costs of the Ministry of the Interior Cost Ordinance (IMKostVO M-V).
Deadlines
Every registry office must keep a record of deaths for 30 years. The application for a death certificate must be made within this period.
Time limit: 30 years
Legal remedy
- Application for a court decision at the competent district court
Responsible office
Registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred
Applications / Forms