The death certificate in Switzerland: role, content and procedures
Introduction
After the death of a loved one, families face a multitude of administrative procedures. Among all the necessary documents, the death certificate occupies a central place. Without it, it is impossible to organise the funeral, settle the estate or contact insurance companies.
In Switzerland, this official document is issued by the civil registry office and legally certifies the death of a person. It contains precise information about the identity of the deceased, the circumstances of death and their parentage. However, many people still confuse the death certificate with other documents such as the medical certificate or the death notice.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the death certificate: its role, its exact content, the differences with other funeral documents, and above all the concrete procedures for obtaining it. You will also discover how many copies to request and how to proceed in the event of death abroad.
Understanding the importance of this document and knowing how to manage it will enable you to proceed more calmly with the administrative formalities that follow a death.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
The death certificate is an official document issued by the Swiss civil registry office that legally certifies the death of a person. It contains the identity of the deceased, the circumstances of death and parentage. This document is essential for organising the funeral, settling the estate, contacting insurance companies and terminating contracts.
It is distinct from the medical certificate (medical confirmation), the death notice (public announcement) and the certificate of inheritance (estate). You can obtain it from the civil registry office of the place of death, generally within a few days. Plan for several original copies for your procedures.
📚 Table of contents
- What is a death certificate?
- Role and importance of the death certificate
- Death certificate vs other documents: important distinctions
- What does a death certificate contain in Switzerland?
- What is the death certificate used for: practical uses
- How to obtain a death certificate in Switzerland
- Special cases: death abroad and international certificates
- Practical advice for relatives and heirs
What is a death certificate?
The death certificate, also called death record, is an official document issued by the civil registry office. It legally certifies the death of a person and constitutes a fundamental civil status document in the same way as a birth or marriage certificate.
This document has legal and authentic value. It is essential for all administrative procedures that follow a death in Switzerland.
Role and importance of the death certificate
The death certificate marks the starting point of all administrative formalities after a death. Without this document, no official procedure can be undertaken.
It enables you to officially prove the death and initiate legal procedures: organisation of the funeral, inheritance, termination of contracts, social benefits and insurance.
Death certificate vs other documents: important distinctions
Several documents relate to a death. It is essential to distinguish them properly to understand their respective function and avoid any confusion in your procedures.
Medical certificate of death: the medical confirmation
The medical certificate of death is issued by a doctor immediately after death. It medically confirms the death and specifies the cause and circumstances.
This document serves as the basis for registering the death with the civil registry, but it does not replace the official death certificate. It is a separate medical document, not accessible to the public.
Death notice: the public announcement
The death notice is a public announcement intended to inform those close to the deceased of the death and funeral. It has no legal value.
You can publish it in the traditional press or on digital platforms such as Wolky, which offers publication accessible at 180 CHF compared to 800 to 2,000 CHF in newspapers.
Certificate of inheritance: for the estate
The certificate of inheritance is a subsequent document that officially establishes inheritance rights. It identifies the legal heirs and their respective shares in the estate.
Although it results from the death, this certificate is separate from the death record. It is issued by the competent authority after opening the will and analysing the inheritance situation.
What does a death certificate contain in Switzerland?
The death certificate in Switzerland contains several categories of essential information that enable the deceased to be identified and the circumstances of death. Here is the detail of its content.
Information about the deceased
The document mentions the complete identity of the deceased:
Surname and first name(s)
Date and place of birth
Nationality
Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed)
Last domicile
Occupation
This information enables the deceased person to be identified without ambiguity.
Circumstances of death
The certificate specifies the exact circumstances of death:
Precise date and time of death
Exact location (municipality, hospital, home, public road)
These elements are essential for the legal validity of the document and the procedures that follow.
Parentage and issue of the document
The document also includes:
Surnames and first names of the deceased's parents
Issuing authority (competent civil registry office)
Date of issue of the certificate
Official signature and seal
These mentions guarantee the authenticity and legal value of the document.
What is the death certificate used for: practical uses
The death certificate is required in many administrative situations. Here are the main uses of this essential document after a death.
Organisation of the funeral
Funeral directors systematically require the death certificate to proceed with the funeral, whether it is a burial or cremation.
This document legally authorises the transport and coffining of the deceased. Consult our funeral homes directory to find a provider near you.
Inheritance and banking procedures
The certificate is essential for:
Releasing the deceased's bank accounts
Settling the estate
Obtaining the certificate of inheritance
Transferring property
No bank will process your file without this official document.
Insurance and social benefits
You will need to present the death record for all applications to:
Life insurance
AVS/AI
Pension fund (2nd pillar)
Health and accident insurance
These organisations generally require an original, not a simple copy.
Termination of contracts and subscriptions
The certificate facilitates the termination of many contracts: lease, telephone subscriptions, electricity, various insurance policies.
Consult our guide on administrative formalities after a death for a complete checklist.
How to obtain a death certificate in Switzerland
Obtaining the death certificate in Switzerland follows a precise administrative procedure. Here is how to proceed to receive this essential document.
Where to apply?
The certificate is issued by the civil registry office of the municipality where the death occurred. After the medical confirmation of death, the civil registry automatically issues the document.
You can request additional copies directly from this office. Some municipalities also offer online or postal applications.
Timeframes and number of copies
The document is generally available within 24 to 48 hours after death. Request 5 to 10 original copies immediately: many organisations (banks, insurance companies) require originals, not copies.
The cost varies according to canton, generally between 15 and 30 CHF per copy. Consult our article what to do immediately after a death for an overview.
Special cases: death abroad and international certificates
If a Swiss person dies abroad, the foreign death certificate must be transcribed with the Swiss authorities. This procedure is carried out via the Swiss consulate or embassy in the country concerned.
For international recognition of Swiss documents, an apostille may be necessary depending on the destination country. This official stamp certifies the authenticity of the document to foreign authorities. Enquire with the competent cantonal office.
Practical advice for relatives and heirs
Here are some recommendations for managing your procedures effectively:
Request sufficient original copies from the start (5 to 10 minimum)
Keep originals in a safe place
Make certified true copies if necessary
Draw up a list of organisations to contact with the required documents
Good organisation will save you unnecessary back and forth and speed up procedures. Find all our advice in our guide to administrative formalities.
The death certificate is an essential administrative document that accompanies all procedures after the loss of a loved one. It enables you to organise the funeral, settle the estate, contact insurance companies and close the deceased's contracts. In Switzerland, this document is issued free of charge by the civil registry office of the place of death, generally within 48 hours.
Remember to request several original copies from the start: this will save you additional procedures with the civil registry. Each organisation (bank, insurance company, pension fund) will require its own copy.
Once you have the certificate, you can inform those close to the deceased of the death. Wolky enables you to publish a death notice online for 180 CHF, accessible 24/7 and easy to share with your loved ones. A simple and dignified solution to honour the memory of your loved one.
