Sterbefall im Ausland Beurkundung

You can have a death abroad subsequently entered in the German death register.

Properly issued death certificates from abroad are generally recognized in Germany. There is no obligation for subsequent certification.

However, the subsequent entry in the death register can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German death certificate. Any translations and certifications of the foreign death certificate will therefore no longer be necessary in the future.

• Foreign death certificate with translation, if necessary with legalization/apostille
• Identity card or passport of the applicant (or a recognized substitute personal document)

Documents of the deceased:

• Proof of marital status (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree)
• Birth certificate

If the deceased was a naturalized citizen, entitled to asylum, stateless, homeless foreigner or refugee:

• Certificate of naturalization or proof of special status

It may also be necessary to submit further documents - please enquire in advance at the registry office.

Subsequent certification of the death is possible for

• German nationals
• stateless persons, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany

Eligible applicants are

• the children,
• the parents
• the spouse or partner of the deceased person and
• the German diplomatic mission abroad in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.

Please call the registry office in advance for details of the procedures and documents required.

• Gather the necessary documents and visit the registry office.
• The registrar will check whether the registration can be carried out by a German registry office.
• If the requirements are met, the entry can be made in the death register.

If required, the registry office will issue you with a death certificate once the entry has been made in the register.

• Death abroad notarization
• Properly issued death certificates from abroad are generally recognized in Germany. There is no obligation for subsequent notarization.
• However, subsequent entry in the register of deaths can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German death certificate. Any translations and notarizations of the foreign death certificate will therefore no longer be necessary in the future.
• Fees will be charged for the subsequent certification and the issuing of the certificate(s).
• Responsible:
  • The registry office
    • at the last German place of residence or stay of the deceased person or
    • at the (possibly last) German place of residence or stay of the person entitled to apply (e.g. German place of residence of the children of the person who died abroad)
  • In all other cases: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy/consulate) or the registry office I in Berlin.

The registry office

• at the last German place of residence or stay of the deceased person or
• at the (possibly last) German place of residence or stay of the person entitled to apply (e.g. German place of residence of the children of the person who died abroad)

In all other cases: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy/consulate) or the registry office I in Berlin.