Mortuary passport; application for issue

  • Brief description

    A corpse passport is required for repatriations within Germany or abroad if the country to which the body is to be repatriated or a country touched during the journey requires a corpse passport.

  • Description

    The corpse passport is issued by the municipality in whose territory the transportation begins. The corpse passport can only be issued if the required documents have been submitted.
    Since 01.09.2025, municipalities have also been able to offer the option of applying for a corpse passport online.

  • Deadlines

    none

  • Required documents

    The following documents must be submitted:

    • Death certificate
      For transfers abroad, the registry office must have noted on the death certificate that the death has been certified or that certification has been postponed.
    • in the event of suspected non-natural death: Burial authorization pursuant to Section 159 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure

     

  • Costs

    The fees or costs for issuing a corpse passport vary depending on the municipality.

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Administrative court action

  • Processing time

    The corpse passport is issued as soon as the application with all the necessary documents is complete.


Responsible departments