Death Certificates Application in South Africa

A death certificate is a critical document issued by the Department of Home Affairs to legally confirm a person’s death, essential for estate administration and legal purposes.

Death Certificates South Africa 2025

Table of Contents

Overview

In South Africa, a death certificate is an official document issued by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) that legally confirms a person’s death. It’s a critical document for various administrative, legal, and financial processes.

Death certificates are issued after registration and include unabridged versions with full details. Abridged may be available, but unabridged is standard for official use.

For the latest information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website (www.dha.gov.za) or contact a local office. Applications can often be initiated online via the eHome Affairs portal.

Eligibility

  • Any person, if the death is registered with DHA.
  • For foreigners dying in SA: Handwritten certificates, longer processing.

Requirements

  • Form DHA-132 completed in black ink.
  • Copy of previous certificate, deceased’s ID/passport.
  • Proof of payment and self-addressed envelope for postal applications.
  • For registration: Notice of Death (DHA-1663) submitted by informant.

How to Apply

  1. Complete Form DHA-132.
  2. Submit by post or in person to DHA office/embassy.
  3. Processing: Up to 12 months or longer, especially for manual records.

Fees

  • First issue: Free.
  • Abridged: R20.
  • Unabridged: R75.

Why is a Death Certificate Important?

A death certificate is essential for:

  • Estate Administration: To wind up the deceased person’s estate, access bank accounts, claim life insurance, and transfer assets.
  • Social Benefits: To claim funeral benefits, pension funds, or other social grants.
  • Legal Purposes: To prove death in legal proceedings.
  • Burial/Cremation: To obtain permission for burial or cremation.
  • Updating Records: To update various government and private sector records.

The Process of Obtaining a Death Certificate

The process generally involves several steps, starting with the reporting of the death:

  1. Reporting the Death:
    • A medical practitioner (doctor) who attended to the deceased during their last illness, or who examined the body, must complete a Notification of Death/Still-birth Form (DHA-1663). This form certifies the cause of death.
    • If the death was due to unnatural causes (accident, violence, suicide, etc.), or if the medical practitioner cannot determine the cause, the matter must be reported to the police. The police will then investigate, and a forensic pathologist will determine the cause of death. The DHA-1663 form will then be completed by the relevant authority.
  2. Submission of DHA-1663 Form:
    • The DHA-1663 form, along with the deceased’s Identity Document (ID book/card), is submitted to the nearest DHA office or a designated funeral undertaker.
    • Many funeral undertakers are authorised to capture death registrations directly into the DHA system, simplifying the process for families.
  3. Issuance of a Burial Order (DHA-1663A):
    • Once the DHA-1663 form is accepted, the DHA will issue a Burial Order (DHA-1663A). This document grants permission for the burial or cremation of the deceased. No burial or cremation can take place without this order.
  4. Issuance of the Death Certificate:
    • The DHA will then issue the abridged death certificate. This usually happens relatively quickly, often on the same day as the registration, or within a few days. The abridged certificate contains basic details of the deceased and the date of death.
    • An unabridged death certificate (also known as a full death certificate) can be requested from the DHA. This document provides more comprehensive details, including the deceased’s marital status, the names of their parents, and the cause of death. It is often required for estate administration.

Who Can Apply for a Death Certificate?

  • The next-of-kin (spouse, parent, child, sibling) of the deceased.
  • An executor of the deceased’s estate.
  • A funeral undertaker acting on behalf of the family.

Documents Required

Documents Required (for the family/undertaker):

  • The deceased’s original Identity Document (ID book/card).
  • The completed DHA-1663 form (Notification of Death).
  • The applicant’s (next-of-kin or undertaker’s) ID.

Key Points to Remember

  • It is a criminal offence to bury or cremate a body without a valid burial order.
  • If the original ID of the deceased is not available, the registration can still proceed, but an affidavit might be required explaining its absence.
  • It’s advisable to obtain several certified copies of the unabridged death certificate, as various institutions (banks, insurance companies, etc.) will require them.