Mehrsprachiges Formular zur Sterbeurkunde beantragen

If you need to present a German death certificate in another European country, you can apply for a multilingual form to be issued by the registry office.

The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person. Every death must be reported to the registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.

You can apply for a death certificate as a family member in the event of death. You can submit the application as soon as the death has been recorded in the death register.

The death certificate is important, for example, for

• the funeral and its preparation, for example for coffining and repatriation,
• the settlement of the estate and
• claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.

You can apply for a death certificate at the relevant registry office.

However, you may have to present a German death certificate in other European countries. In this case, you can request a multilingual form from the registry office. The form replaces the translation of the German death certificate that is generally required.

• for close relatives:
  • Proof of relationship, such as
    • birth certificate
    • marriage certificate
    • civil partnership certificate
  • Identity card or passport
• for siblings of the deceased person:
  • Proof of the family relationship
  • Proof of legitimate interest, such as family or genealogical research
  • Identity card or passport
• if collected by a representative:
  • written power of attorney from the authorized person
  • their identity card or passport and
  • their own identity card or passport
• for other persons without any relationship:
  • Identity card or passport
  • Proof of legal interest, such as
    • certificate of inheritance
    • extract from the land register

You can also obtain the multilingual death certificate if you do not yet have a death certificate. It is important that the deceased person is entered in the death register. As soon as they are entered there, you can also apply directly for a multilingual death certificate.

• You are 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
• You are part of the immediate family, for example aunt and uncle, who can credibly demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.
• You are at least 16 years old.

The processing time may vary.

The 30-year period for keeping the register of deaths by the registry office must not have expired.

Application for a court decision at the competent district court

• Multilingual form for issuing a death certificate
• Apply for a multilingual death certificate form if a German death certificate must be presented in another European country
• Form replaces translation of the death certificate
• Competent authority: competent registry office that keeps the corresponding death register entry or has direct access to it

Registry office