How Do I Authenticate My Death Certificate?

The route depends on the issuer: government certificates and public medical institution documents need no notarization; documents from private hospitals are notarized first. The procedure varies depending on whether the destination country is a member of the Apostille Convention.

3-Second Summary — Government or public medical institution → no notarization / private hospital → apostille after notarization. Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Key Summary

Document Type

Depends on the issuer

Notarization Required?

Not required for government or public medical institution documents (the latter since 2025-12-01); required for private hospitals

Translation/Authentication Required?

Depending on the destination country and receiving institution, translation, apostille, or consular authentication may be required.

The Overseas Koreans Agency accepts government documents and public medical institution documents (since 2025-12-01) without notarization, and asks that other documents be notarized first (Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure”, checked 2026-10-09). Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Common Situations Requiring This Document

Overseas inheritance procedures
Overseas insurance claims
Settling overseas family relations

Procedure

Obtain the Death Certificate (certificate of death registration) from a government agency
If issued by a private hospital, notarize at a notary office
Apply for apostille if the destination country is a Convention member
If not a member, obtain MOFA consular confirmation and embassy authentication
Translation and certified translation if required

Frequently Submitted Countries

USA China