Declarations of death (Todeserklärungen) - Apply for proof or a certified copy
Todeserklärungen - Nachweis oder beglaubigte Abschrift beantragen
Machine translation of the German page, 2026-09-15. The German original is binding.
If a death has been declared by a German court, or the death and the time of death have been established, there is likely to be an entry in the register of declarations of death kept by the Standesamt I (Register Office I) in Berlin from 1938 to 2008, or a certified copy in the collection of decisions of the GDR courts.
From 2009, decisions on declarations of death and court determinations of the time of death are recorded by the Standesamt I in Berlin in a collection.
Certificates or certified copies (photocopies) can be issued from these records.
Book an appointment
Book an appointment (service.berlin.de)
Requirements
• Inclusion of a decision in the collection of decisions on declarations of death
• Credible demonstration of a legitimate interest
• For online applications: consent to the electronic payment procedure or bank transfer
If fees apply, you will receive a payment request by email at a later date. The following payment methods are available to you:
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
• PayPal
If you are unable or unwilling to use the electronic payment option, a bank transfer is also possible.
Documents you need
• Application for issuance of a certificate of a declaration of death or a certified copy
Possible online, or you may submit the application in writing by post, by fax, or in person on site. A request by telephone is not possible.
• Proof of relationship (Verwandschaftsnachweis) or other evidence of legal or legitimate interest
Fees
• EUR 12.00: certificate of declarations of death
• EUR 6.00: each additional certificate ordered at the same time
Legal basis
• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 33 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__33.html
• Verordnung zur Ausführung des Peronenstandsgesetzes (PStV, Ordinance Implementing the Civil Status Act) § 41 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__41.html
Who is responsible
Standesamt I (Register Office I) in Berlin
Responsible for you
Choose a location; the appointment itself is booked on the original page.
- Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO)
- Standesamt I in Berlin
- Standesamt I
Original
Service number 326083 · same path as the original: service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/326083/