Complete guide to the death certificate in Spain

The death certificate is the official document that certifies a persons death and is essential for procedures such as inheritances, widowers pensions, life insurance, bank account cancellations or asset management. Below, we detail what it is, its types, requirements and how to obtain it in person, officially online or through an agency.

What is a death certificate?

The death certificate is the document issued by the Civil Registry (or Justice of the Peace Court in small municipalities) that contains the registration of the death. It includes data such as the deceaseds full name, date, time, place, cause of death (if recorded), marital status and parentage.

Important: the certificate must correspond to the registry where the death was recorded (normally the municipality of death).

Types of death certificate

TypeContentRecommended use
LiteralFull copy of the registry entry (includes cause of death)Inheritances, insurance, courts
ExtractBasic summary (without cause of death)Simple procedures, pensions
NegativeCertifies that the death is not recordedExceptional cases

General requirements

  • Who can request it: any person (it is a public document, no kinship or justification is required).
  • Required data:
    • Full name and surnames of the deceased.
    • Date and municipality of death.
    • Names of parents (parentage, if stated).
    • Applicants DNI.

How to obtain a death certificate

There are several options:

1. In person (by appointment)

  1. Book an appointment at sede.mjusticia.gob.es or call 060.
  2. Go to the Civil Registry or Justice of the Peace Court in the municipality of death.
  3. Present DNI and deceaseds details.
  4. Receive the certificate immediately or within a few days.

2. Online with an agency (recommended – 100% remote)

Use www.registrocivil.es, a professional agency that processes death certificates from any Civil Registry or Justice of the Peace Court in Spain.

Steps:

  1. Enter the link -> Request a death certificate
  2. Indicate municipality, certificate type and deceaseds details.
  3. Select extras (apostille, copies, priority).
  4. Pay online (€55 + extras).
  5. Receive the original in 5-15 days with tracking.

Advantages:

  • No appointment, no Cl@ve, no travel.
  • Management of old deaths (since 1870).
  • Sending of the physical original by certified mail.
  • Personalised attention from an agent.

3. Official online application (Ministry of Justice)

  • Access the Electronic Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice: sede.mjusticia.gob.es.
  • Step by step:
    1. Identify yourself with Cl@ve, digital certificate, or electronic ID (not available without these).
    2. Select Death Certificate.
    3. Enter the death details.
    4. Download the PDF with a secure verification code (valid for 3 months).
  • Limitations: only for digitised records. If the death is old or not computerised, it will redirect you to an in-person application.
  • Advantages: requesting the certificate is free.
  • Disadvantages: there is no tracking of the application and the application may not be processed correctly if it has errors or missing information.

International legalisation

If the certificate is for use abroad:

  • Hague Apostille: €25 extra (the agency processes it).
  • Valid in countries party to the Hague Convention.
  • Without apostille: consular legalisation (more complex).

Frequently asked questions

Can I request a death certificate for anyone?
Yes, it is a public document. Any citizen can request it.

Does the cause of death appear on all certificates?
Only on the literal one. The extract does not include it.

What to do if the death is not registered?
Request a late registration with the medical death certificate or other documents.

Can I obtain it from abroad?
Yes, through the official online option or the agency.

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