REPLACEMENT DEATH CERTIFICATES
Providing replacement death certificates and apostilles
1Apostille can order a replacement death certificate. Providing a quick replacement document service we obtain a new ‘official’ copy of a death certificate from the government. This is referred to as a ‘certified copy of an entry’. We can then legalise the death certificate with our fast apostille service so you can present the new death certificate in another country. Legalising a death certificate with the apostille will ensure it is accepted outside of the UK. Not sure what the apostille is? Visit our what is an apostille page.
Death Certificates
We can order a replacement death certificate for you, direct from the General Register Office (GRO), Scottish and Northern Ireland certificate services.
Why You May Need a Replacement Death Certificate
A death certificate is often requested by overseas authorities. It may be needed when providing legal proof of death to manage estate administration or property transfers abroad, closing bank accounts, or processing life insurance policies, pension claims, or survivor benefits from international schemes.
If your original certificate has been lost, damaged or is no longer suitable for the purpose you need it for, you may need to obtain an official replacement death certificate.
What is a replacement death certificate?
A replacement death certificate is a new certified copy of the entry held on the official register of deaths in the UK.
It is not simply a photocopy of an old certificate. An official replacement is issued from the records held by the government, and can normally be used in the same way as the certificate originally issued. It is officially sealed or signed by the government.
For deaths registered in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, replacement certificates can usually be obtained in a few days or a few weeks.
Can a replacement death certificate be apostilled?
Yes. An official replacement UK death certificate, issued by the government, can be legalised with the apostille.
The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp associated with the death certificate so that it can be recognised in another country that accepts apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention.
The apostille does not confirm that the information recorded on the death certificate is correct. It authenticates the UK public document for international use.
Photocopies or scans cannot have the apostille. Photocopies of death certificates certified by a solicitor or notary CANNOT be issued with an apostille. Death certificates cannot have an e-apostille.
Does the death certificate need to be recently issued?
This depends on the authority requesting the document.
The UK apostille process does not generally require a death certificate to have been issued within a particular number of months or years.
However, some overseas authorities impose their own requirements and may ask for a recently issued copy.
If you have been given a specific age/date requirement for the certificate, obtaining a new replacement before arranging the apostille can prevent unnecessary delays.
What information is needed to obtain a replacement death certificate?
The information required will depend on the registration authority, but it will normally include details such as:
- Year death was registered
- Surname of deceased
- Forenames of deceased
- Date of death (dd/mm/yyyy)
- Age at death in years
- Place of death or last known address
- Occupation of deceased
- Marital status (if female)
The more accurate information provided, the easier it is to order the correct registration record.