Death Certificates
We are so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one (or someone close to you) is a devastating experience. One we will all have to go through at some point in our lives. Therefore we can all relate to the universal concept that is the grieving process. It is hard and it often takes time.
But to make matters worse (and on top of grieving), there is an obligation to ensure that all the required paperwork is filled out. We know – is there not already enough to deal with?
It is never easy. We understand. And we know that you may not know which way to turn. But we are here for you!
Not only are we specialists in the field of Notarial Work and are therefore able to assist you with legalising and notarising a death certificate (if needed) but we are also able to advise you on all matters to do with Wills, Trusts and Deceased Estates (complex processes which we have immense experience in). Benaters is able to provide you with valuable support, not only in answering all your questions around obtaining a death certificate but we can also further support you with all matters involving a Will (from the estate planning process to the actual drafting of a will) as well as the administration of a deceased estate.
In fact, to ease your burden and to provide some guidance on the administration of a deceased estate (including its winding up) we have drafted a guide which we hope will provide you with comfort and answers to questions when you need them the most. To get a copy of this guide, click here.
We are here for you!
What is a death certificate?
A death certificate sets out the details of a person who has passed away.
Applications for a Death Certificate must be lodged at an office of the Department of Home Affairs or at any South African embassy, mission or consulate if the death occurred abroad. An abridged death certificate will be issued free of charge on the same day of registration of the death. An unabridged death certificate may be obtained by formal application.
The two types of death certificates
Abridged death certificate
An abridged death certificate is a computer printout containing personal details of the individual that died along with the date of death. The Department of Home Affairs issues abridged death certificates by default. Luckily, most countries only require an abridged birth certificate.
Unabridged death certificate
Also referred to as the “full copy”, it contains all the details of the deceased, date of death and includes the cause of death as well. These documents contain much more information than the abridged version.
The unabridged death certificate may be required for emigration purposes and when applying for certain visas, such as an ancestral visa.
To apply for an unabridged death certificate, you need submit the following:
Form BI-132 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink;
Certified copy of the deceased person's South African identity document or passport;
Payment of the prescribed fee which is currently R75.00.
How to acquire a death certificate?
First step – report the death
When someone passes away, their death (according The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992) must be reported to any one of the following people authorised by The Department of Home Affairs –
Specific officers at the Department of Home Affairs;
South African Police Service members;
South African Missions, Embassy’s or Consulates where the death occurred abroad, or
Funeral undertakers that have been appointed and are recognised by law, such as the Chevrah Kadisha in the Jewish faith. In most cases, it is the funeral undertakers or religious organisations that report the death of someone to the Department of Home Affairs in any event (with the assistance of the medical officer of traditional healer).
A Notification of Death or Still Birth Form (BI-1663) must be completed when reporting a death. The person reporting the death (usually a medical practitioner) and a Home Affairs officer or a member of the South African Police Service will complete the BI-1663 form.
It is at this point that the estate of a deceased should be reported to the Master of the High Court along with the following documents –
Original/certified copy of the marriage certificate;
Declaration of marriage by surviving spouse indicating the type of marriage;
The will/completed next-of-kin affidavit;
Completed inventory form;
List of the deceased’s creditors, and
Declaration to confirm that the estate has not been reported at another Master’s Office.
If this seems overwhelming, which it may very well be, please don’t be shy - contact us for assistance.
Reporting the death of someone who passed away outside South Africa
The death of a South African citizen and South African permanent residence permit holder that occurs aboard must be reported to the nearest South African embassy or mission. The country in which the death occurred must issue a death certificate and a certified copy of the death certificate must then be submitted to the South African embassy or mission when reporting the death.
If the deceased is to be buried in South Africa, the embassy or mission will assist with the paperwork and arrangements with regards to transportation of the deceased back to South Africa.
Second step – apply for a death certificate
As outlined above, a person’s death must first be reported.
After receiving the Notification of Death Form (BI-1663) and Death Report Form (BI-1680), the Department of Home Affairs will issue an abridged Death Certificate. This process is done by someone authorised to do so by the Department of Home Affairs (such as traditional leaders, members of the SA Police Services and authorised undertakers).
These designated people may also issue burial orders. No burial may take place unless authorised by way of a burial order (Form BI-14).
This may sound scary. We hear you. But don’t worry, contact us and we will try our utmost to assist you.
Must a death certificate be authenticated?
Authentication of a formal document, like a death certificate, means to legalise it and is specifically required for use abroad.
Legalising a document means that official (public) documents executed within South Africa for use outside of South Africa (for example when emigrating and requiring a VISA, obtaining a foreign passport, applying for citizenship applications and during adoption procedures), are affixed, sealed and signed either with an Apostille Certificate (if the destination country is a signatory country of the Hague Convention) thereby authenticating the origin of a public document, or with a Certificate of Authentication (if the destination country is not a signatory of the Hague Convention).
This process is done by sending it to the Legalisation Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (“DIRCO”) in order to get it affixed with an Apostille seal or a Certificate of Authentication (as per the above).
We are able to assist you with the process of legalising a death certificate. So feel free to get in touch!
Must a death certificate be notarised?
You would need to notarise a death certificate should you require copies of it (especially for authentication or legalisation purposes).
And you would need copies of it only if your documents are going to be used abroad (as per the above). And for this purpose, they can only be notarised before a Notary. The Notary attaches a completed and signed notarial certificate to the front of the copy of the original document, and affixes a seal next to their signature thereby verifying that it is a true copy of the original.
How long is the notarised death certificate valid for?
Simply put, it all depends on the authority requesting the notarised document.
What happens if we lose the death certificate?
You apply for a new one to the Department of Home Affairs.
Any additional abridged or unabridged copies of a death certificate can be requested by completing Form BI-132 in black ink and submitting it to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs (or to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad) and by paying the prescribed fee for re-issue which is currently R75.00
Why should we trust Benaters to notarise our death certificate?
At Benaters we pride ourselves on the fact that we are able to offer a specialised niche service, always remembering that due to the ethical nature of the services which Notaries render (and the specialist knowledge required to draft and/or legalise certain documents), the office of a Notary is considered to be held to a higher standard of care. And we take that extremely seriously (and therefore hold ourselves to very high standards).
We are proud to offer this specialised service to you!
So please lighten your burden, focus on your grieving (and healing) process and let us do the work for you.