Whoever is born must die one day which makes death a very sad but unavoidable event. Everyone has gone through the loss of some loved ones in life.
Whenever events like these happen, it becomes mandatory under the law to get it registered with the local government authorities for which you’ll receive a certificate called Death certificate.
In this article, we will discuss how to get a death certificate in India, documents required, procedures, etc.
But first, let’s briefly discuss what is a death certificate.
Table of Contents
What is a Death Certificate?
A death Certificate is a certificate issued after the demise of an individual that updates the demise status of the individual in the Government records.
It is a mandatory registration that the family member of the demised individual is required to obtain as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969.
The death certificate is also required by the individual’s family to ensure that the demised individual gets relieved of his/her social, legal, and official responsibilities like settlement of inheritance, collection insurance, etc.
When you should Apply for a Death Certificate?
As per the law, if the death of the individual has taken place in a hospital i.e., a government or private hospital then the responsibility of applying for a death certificate is on the head of the institution and the application filling has to be done within 21 days of demise of the individual.
In case, the death of the individual happens at home, then the responsibility of applying for a death certificate is on the head of the family/ any family member and this has to be filled within 21 days of the demise of the individual.
Late Application of the Death Certificate
In case the application for the death certificate is applied after 21 days, you’ll have to get permission from the registrar/area magistrate along with some fees to be paid which are as follows-
- Death Reported after 21 days but within 30 days, a late of Rs.2/- has to be paid for the registration
- Death Reported after 30 days but within a year, a late of Rs.5/- has to be paid for the registration
- Death Reported after a year can be registered with an order from the area magistrate i.e., SDM or DM or any first-class magistrate on payment of Rs.10/- late fee
How to Apply for the Death Certificate?
The death certificate of the individual can be applied both online and offline. The following are the procedures which you’ll have to follow-
Online
- Some states may not have a facility for the application of the death certificate online so in that case, only the offline method should be followed
- In case, your state has an online facility then visit the official website of the state’s municipal department website and navigate to the death certificate issuing section
- Now, some state portal directly allows you to fill out the form but some ask you to get registered, you can register in case you are asked to or login using your login credentials
- After logging in, fill out the application form with details like name of the demise, Aadhaar card, date of demise, reason of death, location of death, your name and relation, etc.
- After filling out the form, you’ll have to attach the documents mentioned below to the form and click on the submit button
- After clicking on the submit button, if you are required to pay the fee then pay the late fee or your application will be directly submitted
- After successful submission of your request, the Municipal authority will initiate the death certification verification process and after completing the verification, you’ll be issued with the death certificate.
Offline
- In case of offline death certificate application, you are required to visit the nearest Municipal authority and ask for the death certificate form.
- Fill out the application form with details like name of the demise, Aadhaar card, date of demise, reason of death, location of death, your name and relation, etc.
- After filling out the form, you’ll have to attach the documents mentioned below to the form
- Now, deposit the form along with documents to the Municipal Officer and your application will be accepted upon preliminary verification
- It will take few days before the verification of the form to take place and upon verification, the death certificate will be issued
Documents Required for Registering the Death Certificate
The following are the documents required for registration of the Death Certificate-
Within 21 days
- Reporting Form II
After 21 days and within 30 days
- Reporting Form No II
- Application of informant Revealing the cause of delay
After 30 days but within one year
- Two set of form II
- Application to district registrar revealing the cause of delay
- Affidavit of informant – certified by a Gazetted Officer
- NAC
After one year
- Two set of form II
- Application of informant to Revenue Divisional Officer / Sub Divisional Magistrate revealing the cause of delay
- Affidavit of informant – Certified by Gazetted Officer
Documents Required to be attached along with the form
The following are the documents that you’ll have to attach while filling out the form-
- Identity Proof of Applicant (Any One is mandatory) like Aadhar Card, PAN card, Voter ID Card, Passport, Ration Card with Photo, Driving License, Any Govt. recognized document
- Residential Address Proof of Applicant (Any One is mandatory) Aadhaar Card, Passport, Bank Passbook, Telephone Bill (Landline or Post-paid), Voter ID card, Ration Card, Electricity Bill, Gas Bill, Driving License, Rent Agreement (Registered), Water Bill, Any Govt. Recognized Document
- Identity Proof of Deceased (Any One is mandatory) like Aadhar Card, PAN card, Voter ID Card, Passport, Ration Card with Photo, Driving License, Any Govt. recognized document
- For a minor, the letter from the School Principal (on letter head), School ID Card or birth certificate in case of a minor less than 5 years of age would also be acceptable.
- Permanent Address Proof of Deceased (Any One is mandatory) like Aadhaar Card, Passport, Bank Passbook, Telephone Bill (Landline or Postpaid), Voter ID card, Ration Card, Electricity Bill, Gas Bill, Driving License, Rent Agreement (Registered), Water Bill, Any Govt. Recognized Document
- Proof of Death of Deceased (Any One is mandatory) like Cremation/Burial Slip Police Enquiry Report or Nursing home/Hospital Report Court Order
- Affidavit (It has to be notarized and should be on Rs. 10/- non-judicial e-stamp paper as per the prescribed format in Annexure I)
FAQ
It will generally take 4 to 7 days after the application is submitted for the death certificate to be issued.
You can apply for the death certificate within 21 days from the date of demise.
Yes, it is mandatory to register for death in India, and as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969 it has to be done within 21 days.
I’m Shiv Kumar, a graduate with a passion for finance, marketing, and technology. My journey into finance started with a desire to understand money management and investing.
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