Spanish Death Certificate

The Death Certificate is an official document issued by the Civil Registry that certifies the death of a person, indicating the date, place, and time of death, as well as other relevant details. This document is necessary for a number of legal and administrative procedures related to the deceased, such as accessing the inheritance, claiming insurance, managing widow's pensions, or cancelling bank accounts and contracts.

The Death Certificate is the document issued by the Civil Registry to officially confirm a person's death. This certificate includes key information such as the date and place of death, and can be requested by relatives, heirs, or anyone with a legitimate interest.

The death record is registered in the Civil Registry of the place where the death occurred, and this certificate is essential for carrying out various legal procedures, from closing bank accounts to processing inheritances and life insurance.

Types of Death Certificates

Just like other certificates from the Civil Registry, the Death Certificate Death Certificate

1. Literal Death Certificate
   This is the most comprehensive type of certificate, as it contains a complete copy of all the data recorded in the death record, including information about the deceased’s identity, date, place, and time of death. This type of certificate is usually required for most official procedures.
2. Death Extract Certificate
   This is a summary of the most relevant details of the death. This certificate can be requested in different formats:
   • Ordinary: Written in Spanish.
   • Bilingual: In Spanish and the official language of the corresponding autonomous community.
   • International or Multilingual: Valid in the countries that have signed the Vienna Convention, written in multiple languages.
3. Negative Death Certificate
   This document certifies that there is no record of death under the name of a person in the Civil Registry.

What is the Death Certificate used for?

The Death Certificate is essential for a wide range of legal and administrative procedures related to managing the deceased’s assets and rights. Some of the most common uses of the certificate include:

• Managing Inheritances: It is necessary to initiate the process of distributing assets and inheritances.
• Claiming life insurance and pensions: Insurance companies and social security agencies require the Death Certificate to process payments for insurance or widow's pensions.
• Cancelling bank accounts and contracts: To close bank accounts, cancel insurance, rental contracts, or terminate phone, electricity, etc., services, the Death Certificate must be presented.
• Processing widow's pension: It is one of the documents required for the surviving spouse to apply for a widow's pension.
• Registration in the Last Will Registry: To find out if the deceased left a will, the Death Certificate must be presented.

How to request a Death Certificate?

There are various ways to request the Death Certificate in Spain, tailored to the needs and circumstances of the applicants. Here are the main ways to obtain it:

Online Request

You can request the certificate through the Ministry of Justice, either on their website or by visiting one of their offices directly. For greater convenience and security, it is recommended to carry out the process through a specialised company. In that case, follow these instructions:

1. Accede al formulario de RegistroCivil.es (Access the death certificate form).
2. Fill in the form with the deceased’s details (name, date of death, and place of registration).
3. Choose the type of certificate you wish to receive (literal, extract, international).
4. Decide if you prefer to receive the certificate in electronic or paper format.

The delivery time for online applications is approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

Who can request the Death Certificate?

Any interested person can request the Death Certificate of a deceased individual, whether for handling inheritance matters, cancelling contracts, or any other legal procedure. It is not necessary to be a direct relative of the deceased, although in some cases, when confidential information is required, you may need to demonstrate your relationship with the deceased or a legitimate interest in obtaining the document.

Cost of the Death Certificate

The death certificate is free of charge if you request it directly from the Ministry of Justice. Depending on the civil registry, you may need to book an appointment if you wish to obtain it in person, or you can submit an online request to the Ministry. If you have a digital certificate installed on your computer, you can also obtain it immediately. However, if for convenience and personalized service you prefer a management company to handle the paperwork on your behalf and send the certificate to your home address (anywhere in the world), the cost is usually between 50 and 100 euros. In some special procedures or urgent deliveries, additional fees may apply.

Delivery Time

The delivery time for the Death Certificate varies depending on the method of application you choose:

• In-person: Delivery is usually immediate or within 1 to 3 working days.
• By Internet or Postal Mail: The delivery time is usually between 5 and 15 working days. In cases where it is difficult to locate the certificate, incorrect data is provided, or there is very high demand, the timeframe may be extended to several months, although this is not common.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it necessary to make an appointment to request the Death Certificate?
In many Civil Registry offices, especially in large cities, it may be necessary to make an appointment to avoid long waits. We recommend checking with the relevant Civil Registry.

2. Can I request the Death Certificate of a person who passed away many years ago?
Yes, it is possible to request the Death Certificate of a person who passed away a long time ago. However, in some cases, there may be restrictions or difficulties in obtaining it if the record is very old.

3. Can I request the Death Certificate if the person died abroad?
Yes, if the death was registered at the Central Civil Registry or at a Spanish consulate abroad, you can request the Death Certificate through the Central Civil Registry in Spain.

Conclusion

The Death Certificate is a key document needed to manage a range of legal procedures following a person's death. From inheritances to insurance and pension claims, obtaining it is essential to ensure that rights and obligations are met after the death of a loved one. With different application options available, both in person, online, or by mail, it is important to follow the correct steps and have all the documentation at hand to ensure an efficient and smooth process.