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Death Certificate
The official record of a death, issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. Family members need it for property transfer, bank accounts, insurance claims, pension and succession.
Official fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration within 21 days, with first certificate | Free |
| Late fee, 21 to 30 days (model rules) | ₹20 |
| Late fee, 30 days to 1 year (model rules) | ₹50 |
| Late fee, after 1 year (model rules) | ₹100 |
| Search fee per year searched (model rules) | ₹20 |
| Extra certificate copy (model rules) | ₹50 |
Checked 27 Sep 2026
Documents to keep ready
- Hospital death report or medical certificate of cause of death
- ID proof of the deceased, e.g. Aadhaar
- ID and address proof of the informant
- Cremation or burial ground receipt, if asked
- For late registration: affidavit and proof of death
How to apply
- For hospital deaths, the hospital reports the death to the Registrar
- For home deaths, a family member reports it to the local Registrar within 21 days
- Or apply on the CRS portal or your city portal
- Pay late fee if the 21 day limit has passed
- Get Registrar or Magistrate approval for delayed cases
- Download the digital certificate or collect copies from the Registrar
By state
Fees and portals differ by state. These are the official portals for the states we cover.
| State | Fee | Time | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Late fee ₹2 to ₹10 as per MCD portal | About 7 days | mcdonline.nic.inNDMC areas use NDMC's own portal |
| Maharashtra | Not confirmed | About 7 days | portal.mcgm.gov.in (Mumbai)Other areas use the CRS portal or local body |
| West Bengal | ₹50 per copy, search ₹20 (2026 rules) | About 7 days | kmcgov.in (Kolkata)Late fee ₹50 (30 days to 1 year) and ₹100 after 1 year |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹200 per extra copy | About 7 days | crstn.orgLate fee ₹100, ₹200 and ₹500 by delay. Chennai on chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Karnataka | Not confirmed | About 7 days | ejanma.karnataka.gov.in |
| Telangana | About ₹20 per copy plus MeeSeva charge (GHMC) | Same day at MeeSeva for registered deaths | bnd.ghmc.gov.in / MeeSevaFee figure from a non official guide |
| Gujarat | ₹50 per certificate, search ₹20 | About 7 days | eolakh.gujarat.gov.inLate fee ₹20, ₹50 and ₹100 under 2025 amendment rules |
Good to know
- Take several copies at once; banks, insurers and courts often keep one each
- Check the name, age and date of death match the deceased's Aadhaar and bank records
- From 1 October 2026, registering a death more than 2 years old needs a Judicial Magistrate First Class order
- Avoid touts offering quick certificates; apply only through the Registrar or .gov.in portals
Common questions
Who can apply for a death certificate?
The hospital reports deaths in hospitals. For other deaths, the head of the household or a close relative reports it. Any family member can then get copies.
How do I get a death certificate after 1 year?
Apply for delayed registration with an affidavit and proof of death. It needs a Magistrate order and a late fee.
Does the death certificate show the cause of death?
No. The cause of death is recorded separately and is not printed on the certificate given to the family.
Sources: dc.crsorgi.gov.in prsindia.org (secondary) mcdonline.nic.in tnhealth.tn.gov.in chennaicorporation.gov.in
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