How to Apply for Death Certificate Online in India — Complete Guide

What is a Death Certificate?

A death certificate is an official document issued by the local municipal authority (municipal corporation, municipality, or gram panchayat) that records the death of a person. It is issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969 and is mandatory for all deaths occurring in India.

The certificate contains important details such as the name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause of death, and other particulars. It is a crucial legal document needed for settling the affairs of the deceased person.

Why Do You Need a Death Certificate?

A death certificate is required for many important purposes:

• Insurance claims — Life insurance companies require it to process death claims
• Property transfer — To transfer property or assets of the deceased to legal heirs
• Pension settlement — To claim family pension or settle pending pension dues
• Bank account closure — Banks need it to close accounts or release funds to nominees
• Succession certificate — Courts require it for issuing succession or legal heir certificates
• Aadhaar deactivation — To deactivate the Aadhaar number of the deceased
• Passport cancellation — To cancel the passport of the deceased
• Voter ID removal — To remove the deceased's name from the electoral roll
• Government scheme settlements — PF, gratuity, and other benefits

Who Can Apply for a Death Certificate?

The following persons can apply for registration of death and obtain a death certificate:

• Family members — Spouse, children, parents, or close relatives
• Head of the household where the death occurred
• Hospital or medical institution — If the death occurred in a hospital, the medical officer in charge is responsible for reporting
• Jail in-charge — If the death occurred in jail
• Police — In case of unnatural death, accident, suicide, or unidentified bodies
• Person who performed last rites (cremation/burial)
• Village headman (in rural areas)

Time Limit for Death Registration

Timely registration is important. The rules are:

Important: Register within 21 days to avoid any complications or additional charges.

Documents Required

For Death Registration

• Proof of death — Hospital death summary / death report from doctor
• Aadhaar card of the deceased (if available)
• Cremation or burial certificate — Issued by the crematorium or burial ground authority
• Applicant's ID proof — Aadhaar card, voter ID, or any government-issued ID
• Address proof of the place where death occurred
• Birth certificate of the deceased (if available, for age verification)

Additional Documents (if applicable)

• FIR copy — In case of unnatural death or accident
• Post-mortem report — If post-mortem was conducted
• Medico-legal certificate — In case of police-reported deaths
• Passport of deceased — If the deceased was an NRI

Step-by-Step Online Process (CRS Portal)

You can apply for a death certificate online through the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal at crsorgi.gov.in. Here is the process:

Step 1: Visit the CRS Portal

Go to https://crsorgi.gov.in in your browser.

Step 2: Register / Sign Up

• Click on "User Sign Up" if you are a new user
• Fill in your name, mobile number, email, and create a password
• Verify your mobile number via OTP
• Log in with your credentials

Step 3: Select "Death Registration"

• After logging in, select "Register Death" from the dashboard
• Choose your State, District, and Registration Unit (municipal body or panchayat)

Step 4: Fill the Death Registration Form

Enter the following details:

• Deceased's details — Name, date of death, place of death, gender, age, Aadhaar number
• Address details — Permanent and present address of the deceased
• Informant's details — Your name, relationship with deceased, address, and contact number
• Cause of death — As mentioned in the medical certificate

Step 5: Upload Documents

Upload scanned copies of:

• Hospital death summary or medical certificate of cause of death
• Cremation/burial certificate
• ID proof of the deceased
• ID proof of the applicant/informant

Step 6: Submit and Note the Registration Number

• Review all details carefully before submitting
• After submission, note down the Application Reference Number
• The application goes to the local Registrar for verification

Step 7: Verification and Certificate Issuance

• The Registrar verifies the details
• Once approved, the death certificate is generated
• You can download the death certificate from the portal using your reference number

Processing time: Typically 7–15 working days after submission.

State-Specific Online Portals

Some states have their own portals in addition to the central CRS system:

• Delhi — edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in
• Maharashtra — aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
• Karnataka — nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in
• Tamil Nadu — tnreginet.gov.in
• Uttar Pradesh — esathi.up.gov.in
• Kerala — cr.lsgkerala.gov.in

Check your state's e-district or municipal portal for state-specific options.

Offline Process

If you prefer to apply offline:

1. Visit the local municipal office (Nagar Nigam, Nagar Palika, or Gram Panchayat) where the death occurred
2. Collect the death registration form (Form No. 2) from the counter
3. Fill in all details and attach the required documents
4. Submit the form to the Registrar of Births and Deaths
5. Collect the acknowledgement receipt with your application number
6. Collect the death certificate after verification (usually within 7–15 days)

You can also apply through Common Service Centres (CSCs) in your area.

Fees

• Death registration within 21 days — Free
• Late registration fee — ₹2 to ₹10 (varies by state)
• Death certificate copy — ₹10 to ₹50 per copy (varies by state and municipality)
• Magistrate order fee (for registration after 1 year) — Court fee as applicable
• CSC service charge — ₹20 to ₹50 (if applying through Common Service Centre)

Note: Most states provide the first copy of the death certificate free of charge when issued at the time of registration.

How to Get a Death Certificate for Old Deaths

If the death occurred long ago and was never registered, you can still get it registered:

If Death Occurred Within 1 Year

• Apply to the local Registrar with a written request
• Submit all available proof (hospital records, cremation records, affidavits from family)
• Pay the applicable late fee

If Death Occurred More Than 1 Year Ago

• You need an order from a First Class Magistrate or Executive Magistrate
• File an application before the Magistrate with:
  • Affidavit stating details of the death
  • Any supporting documents (old hospital records, newspaper clippings, family records)
  • Identity proof of the applicant
• Once the Magistrate approves, submit the order to the Registrar
• The Registrar will then register the death and issue the certificate

How to Correct Details in a Death Certificate

If there is any error in the death certificate (name spelling, date, age, etc.):

1. Apply to the Registrar who issued the certificate
2. Submit a correction application along with:
   • Original death certificate
   • Supporting documents proving the correct information (Aadhaar, passport, school records of the deceased)
   • Affidavit for the correction
3. Minor corrections (spelling errors) — Registrar can correct directly
4. Major corrections (change of name, date of death) — May require Magistrate's order
5. Corrected certificate is usually issued within 15–30 days

Some states allow correction applications through the CRS portal online.

Death Certificate for NRI / Deaths Abroad

If an Indian Citizen Dies Abroad

• The death must be registered with the Indian Embassy or Consulate in that country
• The Embassy issues a death certificate or a certified extract
• Family members can also get the death registered in India by approaching the local Registrar with:
  • Death certificate issued by the foreign country (apostilled/attested)
  • Translation in English (if in a foreign language)
  • Passport of the deceased
  • Proof of relationship

If an NRI Dies in India

• Normal death registration process applies
• Register at the local municipal authority where the death occurred
• Passport of the deceased may be additionally required

FAQs

Q1: How long does it take to get a death certificate online?

After submitting the application on the CRS portal, it typically takes 7–15 working days for the Registrar to verify and issue the certificate. You can download it from the portal once approved.

Q2: Can I get a death certificate without a hospital death summary?

Yes. If the death occurred at home, the family member or head of household reports the death. A medical certificate of cause of death from a registered medical practitioner may still be needed. In some cases, a declaration by the informant is accepted.

Q3: Is the death certificate the same across all states?

Yes. The format is standardised under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 and is valid across India regardless of which state issued it.

Q4: How many copies of the death certificate can I get?

You can request multiple copies at the time of registration or later by applying to the Registrar and paying the applicable fee per copy.

Q5: Can I apply for a death certificate from a different city?

The death must be registered in the jurisdiction where it occurred. However, you can apply online through the CRS portal from anywhere. For offline applications, you may need to visit or authorise someone in that city.

Q6: What if I lost the death certificate?

You can apply for a duplicate copy from the same Registrar who issued the original. Submit an application with your ID proof and pay the applicable fee. You can also request it through the CRS portal if the death was digitally registered.

Q7: Is death registration mandatory in India?

Yes. Under the RBD Act, 1969, registration of every death is compulsory. Failure to register may attract a penalty, and the family will face difficulties in legal and financial matters.