Death certificates
The death notice for the death certificate at the registry office is usually made by the undertaker. The registry office in whose district the person died is responsible for notarizing a death (only recent deaths). Every death that occurs in an institution...
The death notice for the death certificate at the registry office is usually made by the undertaker.
The registry office in whose district the person died is responsible for notarizing a death (only recent deaths).
Every death that occurs in an institution is reported by this institution (retirement home, nursing home, hospital, hospice) to the responsible registry office. The facility usually also sends the death certificate (death certificate) from the doctor to the registry office. Another notification of death, which also contains data that the facility may not have, is usually sent by the undertaker to the responsible registry office. The undertaker also sends the registry office the documents required for certification, such as the deceased's ID card or passport, the deceased's birth certificate, the deceased's marriage certificate, if applicable, the divorce decree or the spouse's death certificate, etc. Which other documents might be necessary depends on the individual case.
The registry office in whose district the person died is always responsible for notarizing a death.
Important notes
Prerequisites
The death occurred in this district. The death was reported to the registry office and all necessary documents were submitted to the registry office.
Documents required
- If you, as a private individual, report a death directly, the following documents are required:
- Identity card or passport with last registration certificate.
- From the deceased is required:
- Identity card or passport with the last registration certificate,
- medical certificate of death (death certificate) and
- Proof of marital status, e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate of spouse, if applicable, etc.
- birth certificate
- Additional evidence may need to be submitted. This depends on the individual case.
Please note
- With the death certificate, only the necessary certificate for the burial is issued. Death certificates are issued separately for a fee.
- No information on the processing status can be given over the phone. Please contact the funeral home.
Deadlines
No later than the third working day following death.
Procedure & Fees
Procedure
If the death did not occur in an institution and you do not hire a funeral director, then send the registry office the following documents:
- the death certificate,
- the deceased's ID/passport and birth certificate
- given if his marriage certificate
- if necessary, also the divorce decree
- If applicable, also the death certificate of the previously deceased spouse
- Send a copy of your identity card or passport and your registration certificate.
Processing time
From the completeness of the documents approx. 5 - 10 days.
Fees
Toll-free
Legal notes
Legal remedies
No
Legal basis
§ 28 Personal Status Act (PStG) et seq.
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__28.html
Section 38 Ordinance on the Implementation of the Civil Status Act (PStV)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__38.html
Downloads & Links
Forms and downloads
- Brochure: Directory Hamb. Registry offices v. 1874 until today, PDF, 392 KB, 21 pages
- Leaflet: Ordering a certificate, PDF, 59 KB, 2 pages
- List of Hamburg hospitals, maternity wards and nursing homes, barrier-free, PDF
Related services
Links on the Internet
Find out your responsible facility
Keywords: Death, notarizations Deaths, notarizations Funerals Burials Death notices funeral Death, report Report death Death, show Death certificate, report death Death certificate, notarize death
Last updated: 16.04.2024