How to Obtain Death Certificate

• A Death Certificate is a document issued by the Government to the nearest relatives of the deceased, stating the date, fact and cause of death. It is essential to register death to prove the time and date of death, to establish the fact of death for relieving the individual from social, legal and official obligations, to enable settlement of property inheritance, and to authorise the family to collect insurance and other benefits.

• In India, it is mandatory under the law (as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969) to register every death within 21 days of its occurrence.

• A death can be reported and registered by the head of the family, in case it occurs in a house; by the medical in-charge if it occurs in a hospital; by the jail in-charge if it occurs in a jail; and by the headman of the village or the in-charge of the local police station in case the body is found deserted in that area.

• To apply for a Death Certificate, the death has to be registered with the concerned local authorities within 21 days of its occurrence. Death Certificate is issued after verification.

• If a death is not registered within 21 days of its occurrence, permission from the Registrar/Area Magistrate, along with the fee prescribed in case of late registration, is required.

• The application form in which you are required to apply is usually available with the local authorities, or with the Registrar who maintains the Register of Deaths. You may be asked to submit proof of birth of the deceased, an affidavit specifying the date and time of death, a copy of the ration card, and the required fee.