Requesting a death certificate for a relative

The death certificate is a document that certifies the death of a person. You can apply for a death certificate as soon as the death has been recorded in the death register.

The death certificate is important, for example, for

• settling the estate
• claiming statutory or private insurance benefits.

You can usually apply for a death certificate in person, in writing or electronically at the relevant registry office.

Please contact the registry office in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.

An application for a death certificate can be made by

• the last spouse
• the last civil partner within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act
• ancestors and descendants of the deceased person
• Siblings with a legitimate interest
• other persons, provided they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court)

Persons over the age of 16 are entitled to apply.

To apply for a death certificate, you will generally need

• Your identity card or passport (a certified copy if applying in writing, you may need to authenticate yourself electronically online)
• if the application is made or collected by a representative: written power of attorney from the authorized person, their identity card or passport and the identity card or passport of the representative
• for other persons, proof of their legal interest

A death certificate for private purposes costs €10.00.

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If you would like to take action against a negative decision by the registry office, you have the option of filing an application with the local court to instruct the registry office.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs and Regional Development

28.05.2026