Death Certificate
Civil registry document recording a person's death. Required for inheritance, pension claims, insurance, and estate proceedings abroad.
What is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is an official document issued by a civil registry, hospital, or government authority recording the death of a person. For cross-border inheritance, estate proceedings, pension claims, life insurance payouts, and survivor benefits, the certificate must typically be apostilled and translated for use in foreign courts, banks, or government agencies.
Common uses internationally
Foreign courts and notaries require an apostilled death certificate to process inheritance claims for assets held in another country.
Government pension authorities and insurance companies in foreign countries require apostilled death certificates to process survivor benefits.
Can this document be apostilled or legalized?
Death certificates can be apostilled in Hague Convention member countries. The apostille must be placed on a certified copy issued by the civil registry.
See apostille services →When the destination country is not a Hague Convention member, the same document requires full consular legalization instead of apostille.
See legalization services →Who issues this document?
Civil Registry (Registro Civil) where the death was recorded, or hospital authority in some jurisdictions.
Requirements at a glance
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a hospital certificate instead of the civil registry's certified copy.
- Not obtaining multiple certified copies — estate proceedings in multiple countries often require separate apostilled originals for each jurisdiction.
Countries where this document is commonly processed
Relevant services
Frequently asked questions
How many apostilled copies do I need for an inheritance in multiple countries?
You typically need one apostilled original per jurisdiction. If an estate involves assets in two countries, you need two separately apostilled certified copies. We obtain all copies simultaneously to minimize delays.
The death occurred abroad. How do I apostille the foreign certificate?
The apostille must be issued in the country where the death certificate was issued — not where the deceased was from. We coordinate with the relevant foreign authority on your behalf.
Reviewed by
Sofía RodríguezApostille Specialist
Expert in educational document certification and background checks for Latin America and Spain.
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