Sterbefall im Ausland Beurkundung von Deutschen ohne Inlandswohnsitz

If a German citizen dies abroad without residing in Germany, you can have the death subsequently certified at the competent German registry office under certain conditions.

A death that occurred abroad can also be certified in a German death register at your request. The so-called subsequent notarization also applies to Germans who died abroad and who were not resident in Germany.

With the subsequent notarization, an entry is made in a German death register in addition to the notarization abroad.

Under certain conditions, you can apply for subsequent notarization at the competent German registry office.

In addition to the information to be included in the death entry, you must submit the necessary certificates or other documents.

In particular, the following documents are required:

• Your identity card/passport as the applicant
• Foreign death certificate of the deceased person (if necessary, with translation and certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German diplomatic mission abroad; it may be sufficient to submit a multilingual form)
• Proof of the deceased person's marital status (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree)
• the birth certificate of the deceased person
• proof of the deceased person's last place of residence
• for naturalized citizens: naturalization certificate

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

• the death occurred abroad
• The following are entitled to apply
  • the parents of the deceased person
  • the children of the deceased person
  • the spouse or partner of the deceased person
  • Persons who can assert a legal interest in the notarization vis-à-vis the registry office

You submit the application for subsequent certification of a death to the relevant German registry office.

• Contact the relevant German registry office in writing, by telephone or in person, describe your request and ask for the documents you need to submit.
• Submit the application for subsequent certification and enclose the required documents.
• The registry office will check the information you have provided and the documents you have submitted and, if necessary, carry out the subsequent certification of the death.
• You have the option of applying for a German death certificate for a fee.

• Death abroad notarization of Germans without domestic residence
• Subsequent certification in a German death register of a death abroad of a German who is not resident in Germany.
• The application for subsequent notarization can be submitted to the competent German registry office under certain conditions.
• Fees are charged by the registry office.
• Subsequent certification is a prerequisite for the issue of a German death certificate.
• Responsible:
  • The registry office in whose area the deceased had their habitual residence in Germany is responsible for the application.
  • If the deceased was not domiciled in Germany, the registry office in whose area the applicant has or last had their domicile or habitual residence is responsible.
  • If none of the above alternatives apply, the application can be submitted to Registry Office I in Berlin.

• The registry office in whose area the deceased person had their habitual residence in Germany is responsible for the application.
• If the deceased person was not domiciled in Germany, the registry office in whose area you as the applicant have or last had your domicile or habitual residence is responsible.
• If none of the above alternatives apply, you can submit the application to Registry Office I in Berlin.