Apostille Death Certificate For International Use

When someone dies with property, accounts, pensions or family in another country, foreign institutions usually ask for an apostilled death certificate. The apostille confirms that the official who signed the certificate is genuine, so it can be used abroad without embassy legalization. This guide explains when you need one, how to get the right copy, and how long it takes.

When a death certificate apostille is required

Closing foreign bank accounts or transferring funds to heirs
Selling or transferring property abroad
Claiming foreign pensions, life insurance or social security benefits
Probate or succession proceedings in another country
Transporting remains or ashes abroad; see our guide to taking a loved one’s ashes abroad
Registering the death with a foreign civil registry

The apostille is accepted in Hague Convention countries; see our list of apostille countries. For other countries you need authentication and embassy legalization.

Getting the right copy

You need a certified copy of the death certificate from:

The state vital records office, or
The county or local registrar where the death was recorded

The copy must carry the signature of an official the Secretary of State has on file. Some states only apostille copies signed by the state registrar; others accept county officials. Ask for several certified copies at once, because banks, insurers and foreign courts may each keep one.

Who issues the apostille

The Secretary of State in the state where the death was registered, which may differ from where the person lived. Oregon, for example, apostilles death records from its vital records office and certified county records, at $10 per certificate.

Step-by-step process

Confirm what the foreign institution needs, including whether it wants a full or short-form certificate and a translation.
Order certified copies from the state or county where the death was registered.
Submit each copy to that state’s Secretary of State with the request form and fee.
Gather related documents, such as the will, letters testamentary or a power of attorney, which may also need apostilles. See our guide to probate will apostilles.
Arrange a certified translation if required. See whether to translate before or after the apostille.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Short-form certificates. Some countries want the long form showing the cause of death or parents’ names.
Uncertified copies. Funeral home copies or photocopies cannot be apostilled.
Wrong state. The apostille must come from the state where the death was registered.
Errors on the certificate. Spelling mistakes in names or dates can cause rejection abroad; correct them with the vital records office first.

See our list of common apostille mistakes for more.

Timelines and costs

Ordering certified copies can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the office. State apostille processing varies from same-day to several weeks. Apostille Authentications charges $195 for the first document and $65 for each additional document, plus the state fee, and same-day service is available for Oregon, Washington, Texas and Virginia documents depending on when we receive them. See our pricing page.

Frequently asked questions

Who can request an apostille on a death certificate?

Anyone holding a certified copy can submit it for an apostille. Ordering the certified copy may be limited to family members or legal representatives, depending on the state.

What if the death happened outside the U.S.?

A foreign death certificate must be apostilled in the country that issued it. For a U.S. citizen who died abroad, the Consular Report of Death Abroad is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.

How many apostilled copies should I get?

Ask each foreign institution. Many families order two or three apostilled copies to avoid repeating the process.

Do I need a translation?

Many non-English-speaking countries require one. Our certified translation service can translate the certificate and the apostille.

Get help during a difficult time

Contact us with the state where the death was registered and the destination country, and we will handle the steps for you.