अनुक्रम ( छुपाये )
PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR A DEATH CERTIFICATE
A death certificate is issued by the government and is a primary document. It is a document on the
basis of which insurance settlement, the inheritance of property, and other legal claims are
processed.
It mentions the date and time of death and, more importantly, the cause of death, which is
mentioned but otherwise cannot be disclosed. The death certificate has the capacity to relieve the
deceased from any social, legal, and official obligations. It relieves people of impending debts as
well.
After the introduction of the Registration of the Births and Deaths act, 1969, registering a death
became mandatory.
According to the RBD act, chief registrars at the state level or at a subordinate level can discharge
the function of registration.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DEATH CERTIFICATE
WHO NEEDS TO REPORT AND WHEN?
While the religious and customary rituals of the family of the deceased are being performed, the
death needs to be reported within 21 days of its occurrence. There are different cases as to where
death has happened. If the death happens in a hospital, the medical in-charge or the practitioner
who attended the deceased in his/her last days is required to report the same. If the death has
happened in prison, the jail in-charge needs to report it. According to the RBD act, if the death has
taken place at the home of the deceased, anyone from the family can report the death. Even the
relative of the deceased can put in a request and acquire the death certificate.
The medical practitioner or the chief medical officer has to provide a certificate of the cause of death
, without taking any fee from the person who has asked for it.
WHAT ALL DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
One might be asked for all or some of the following documents needed before issuing the death
certificate:
Age proof- birth certificate
An affidavit that mentions the date and time of death
A copy of the ration card
Address proof (rental agreement, lease agreement or electricity bill)
Completely filled application form along with the signatures of the applicant
The registrar will enter the name of the deceased in the death records without taking any fee or
reward.
The person who has approached the registrar may need to furnish the documents and provide the
evidence of his/her relationship with the deceased.
CAN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE BE OBTAINED ONLINE?
The government of some states has made the process more simplified by allowing the uploading of
documents online. Some states, however, might require additional information like proof from the
crematorium. In states like New Delhi and Chandigarh, one can take a print out of the application
form, which can be obtained by the family of the deceased. This online facility has made it
convenient for people to apply, keeping in mind the situation of the family of the dead.
An individual needs to register the death of a family member to avoid any complications later.
