Death; notification

  • Brief description

    The death of a person must be reported to the registry office in whose jurisdiction they died. Funeral homes, hospitals, retirement and nursing homes and other institutions are obliged to notify the registry office.

  • Description

    The death of a person must be certified by the registry office in whose jurisdiction they died. Such a death must therefore be reported to the registry office.

    Written notification in the event of death in a clinic or retirement home

    In the case of deaths in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes and other institutions, the institution's responsible body (usually the administration) is obliged to report the death. For this purpose, the administration of the facility will collect data on the deceased and obtain the necessary documents and evidence from the relatives.

    Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that relatives of the deceased or a funeral home commissioned by them will have to appear again. This is particularly necessary if the registry office does not yet have all the data required for the notarization.

    Verbal notification

    If written notification is not possible, the death must be reported verbally to the registry office. This is the case, for example, if the death did not take place in an institution (clinic, retirement home, etc.).

    The following are obliged to report:

    • Any person who lived in the same household as the deceased.
    • The person in whose home the death occurred.
    • Any other person who was present at the death or is aware of the death from their own knowledge.

    If a funeral home registered with a Chamber of Crafts or Chamber of Industry and Commerce is commissioned with the notification, the notification can also be made in writing.

  • Deadlines

    The death of a person must be reported no later than the third working day following the death.

  • Required documents

    Birth certificate of the deceased

    Proof of last place of residence

    Medical certificate of death

    For persons who were married or in a registered civil partnership:

    Instead of the birth certificate, the marriage or civil partnership certificate of the last marriage or civil partnership and, if applicable, proof of dissolution are required.

    The registry office may request the submission of further documents if this is necessary to verify information. The relevant registry office will be happy to advise you.

  • Costs

    none

  • Legal basis

  • Procedure

    Once the death has been reported, the registry office will record the death in the death register. The following information about the deceased is entered:

    • his first names and surname
    • Date, time and place of death
    • Place and day of his birth
    • its gender
    • his marital status (e.g. married, divorced, in a registered civil partnership)
    • his or her place of residence and, at the request of the notifying party, the religious affiliation.

  • Notes

    On request, the registry office will issue a death certificate from the death register, in which essential data from the death register is transferred (see "Certificate of civil status; application" under "Related topics"). In addition, a certified printout from the death register (this is a verbatim reproduction of the contents of the death register) can also be issued.


Responsible departments