Spain - Obtain a Copy of Death Certificate

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Procedure

Application in person

The interested party must go personally to the Civil Register where the death is registered, presenting the National Identification Card (D.N.I.) of the individual requesting the certificate. Indicate the name and surnames of the deceased, and the date and location of death. Then you must indicate which type of certificate you want:

• Literal
• Extract
  • Ordinary or bilingual.
  • International or multilingual.
• Negative

Ways of receiving the certificate: Collection at the corresponding Civil Register window.

Postal application

If you wish to request and receive, when appropriate, a death certificate by ordinary post, you may send a letter to the Civil Register, clearly indicating the name and postal address to which the certificate is to be sent, including the following data in the request:

• Name, surnames and National Identification Card of the person requesting the certificate.
• Name and surnames of the deceased, and the date and location of death.

Next, indicate the type of certificate you would like to receive:

• Literal
• Extract
  • Ordinary or bilingual.
  • International or multilingual.
• Negative

Finally, provide a contact telephone number where you can be reached to clarify any of the data.

Without digital certificate

To carry out this procedure via internet you must go to this link

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Required Documents

National Identification Card (D.N.I.) of the individual requesting the certificate.

Office Locations & Contacts

Civil Registry Offices

Eligibility

It may be requested by any citizen who requires it or has interest in it, except where the law prohibits publication without special authorisation of information regarding:

• Adoption, extramarital or unknown relationships or details that unveil such circumstances; the date of marriage indicated on the page registering the birth, if the former were later than the latter or it occurred within the 180 days prior to the birth; the change of a Foundling surname or other similar or inconvenient ones.
• Sex change.
• Causes for annulment, separation or divorce, or the loss or suspension of parental authority.
• Filed documents related to the details in the items above or to dishonourable circumstances or those of a reserved nature included in the file.
• Abortion files.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

This document does not expire.

Documents to Use

Death Certificate Application Form (PDF. 38 KB)

Sample Documents

Articles 81 to 87 of the Civil Register Act, dated 8 June 1957 (BOE - Official State Gazette - 10/6/1957) (PDF. 169 KB)

Civil Register Regulations (Decree dated 14 November 1958, which approves the Regulations of the Civil Register Act): articles 17 to 35, articles 273 to 282 (PDF. 257 KB)

Instruction dated 20 March 2002, from the Department of Registers and Notaries (BOE 9/4/2002) (PDF. 26 KB)

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

There are several types:

• Positive Certificates:
  • Extract: This is a summary of the information related to the death, as it appears in the Civil Register. There are different versions:
    • Ordinary: It is issued in Spanish in the autonomous communities in which the only official language is Spanish.
    • International or multilingual: This version is valid in the countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention of 8 September 1976. This certificate is issued in the official language of each of the signatory countries of that convention (Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia-Montenegro).
    • Bilingual: Whenever an extract certificate is requested in an autonomous community that has its own official language, the certificate will be issued in Spanish and in the official language of the autonomous community in which it is issued.
  • Literal: This is a literal copy of the registration of the death, containing all of the data related to the identity of the deceased and the events surrounding the death.
• Negative Certificates: These certify that the death of an individual has not been registered at that Civil Register.

Required Information

• Name and surname of the deceased
• Names of the deceased's parents
• Marital status
• Nationality
• Date and location of birth
• Birth registration details
• Last known place of residence
• Date, time and location of the death (as documented in the death certificate)
• Place of burial or cremation, if indicated on the death certificate or the certification from the authority or civil servant in charge of the cemetery

Need for the Document

The death certificate is the official document that certifies the death of an individual.

Information which might help

In the event of a death, the last doctor to treat the deceased (or one who confirms death and identification of the body) issues the certificate of death. This document certifies a person's death.

If the death occurred in suspicious circumstances or involves an investigation, an order from the judicial authority may be issued to confirm the death.

The death certificate (certificado de defuncin) will be issued by the Civil Registry office. Multiple copies can be requested.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Death records should not be overlooked. Death certificates often provide additional information about the deceased and his or her family. You can expect to find the following information in Spanish death records. If the deceased was single:

• Full name, age, occupation (if applicable), place of birth, and death date of the deceased
• Full name of the deceased parents, and often times their places of birth
• Cemetery where the deceased was buried

If the deceased was married or widowed:

• Full name, age, occupation (if applicable), place of birth, and death date of the deceased
• Full name of spouse (whether deceased or living), and often their place of birth
• Cemetery where the deceased was buried
• If the deceased created a will and the name of the Notary that notarized the will.
• Sometimes living descendants (could include name of living children, and other heirs)

External Links

http://www.mjusticia.gob.es/cs/Satellite/en/1200666550200/Tramite_C/1214483953752/Detalle.html

http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/articles/128-procedures-to-follow-after-a-death-in-spain.html

http://madrid.angloinfo.com/information/healthcare/death-dying/

Others

More information which might help people.