How to apply for Death Certificate: Your complete guide

Certificate is a document issued by the

to the kin of the deceased, stating the date, fact and cause of death.

Law states that it is mandatory to register a person's death with the concerned State Government within 21 days of its occurrence.

Why is a Death Certificate required

This certificate is required to establish the fact of death legally, for relieving the deceased from social, legal and official obligations.

It is also used to enable settlement of property inheritance, and to authorise the family to collect insurance and other benefits.

Documents required

• Proof of birth of the deceased
  
• An affidavit specifying the date and time of death
  
• The required fee in the form of court fee stamps
  
• A copy of the ration card

The person who is applying for a death certificate is required to provide the evidence of relationship with the deceased, complete address and proof of nationality.

Where to get application forms

The application form to apply for a death certificate is available with the area's local body authorities and the Registrar who maintains the Register of Deaths.

An evidence of death is required either in the form of a hospital letter where death took place or a certificate from a civil official who certified the death at either the crematorium or burial grounds.

Procedure to apply for Death Certificate

A death is first registered with the concerned local authorities within 21 days of its occurrence, by filling up the form prescribed by the Registrar, in order to apply for a Death Certificate.

Death Certificate is then issued after proper verification.

Registration Fees

Death registrations done within 21 days of its occurrence are done free of cost.

From 21 to 30 days after the death, the Medical Officer, Health(MOH) will certify, collecting a fine of Rs 25.

After 30 days to within a year of death, only the Joint Director of Statistics can provide the certificate with a fine of Rs 50 and an affidavit.

If the death is registered after a year, the applicant can get the certificate by order of a first class magistrate only, which can be a lengthy process. For this, the applicant will need the Cause of Death Certificate, Cremation Certificate and an Affidavit.