How to obtain a death certificate in Spain after someone dies

When a loved one passes away in another country, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be sorted out. If your family member or close relative passed away in Spain, one of the first documents you’ll need is an official death certificate.
This certificate is essential for dealing with any estate matters, including probate, inheritance, and property ownership. However, if you’re based in the UK and not familiar with Spanish procedures, it’s completely expected to feel unsure about where to begin, and that’s where we can step in to help.
At Gascon Bernabeu, our English-speaking solicitors in Spain help UK-based families through this exact situation every day. Whether the death was recent or you’re still working through the legal process months later, we’re here to help you bring everything together and move things forward. So, on that note, here’s what you need to know about getting a death certificate in Spain – and how we can help with the probate process.
What is a Spanish death certificate, and why do you need one?
What is a Spanish death certificate, and why do you need one?
A death certificate is an official document that confirms someone has passed away. In Spain, it’s issued by the local Civil Registry Office (Registro Civil) and includes details like the date, time, and place of death.
If your loved one lived in Spain full-time (not just visiting), their death must be officially registered in the area where they passed away before a certificate can be issued. In most cases, the hospital or funeral home will take care of this, but if you’re unsure whether it’s been done, we can check and help you get it sorted.
You’ll need this certificate before you can start any legal steps, like dealing with property, sorting out bank accounts, or applying for probate. It’s one of the first and most important documents in the process, and we can help you get it, even if you’re based in the UK.
Can I get the death certificate from the UK?
Yes, even if you’re in the UK and your loved one passed away in Spain, it’s still possible to get the official death certificate. That said, it can sometimes feel a little confusing if you’re not familiar with how things work in Spain. The good news is that once the death has been officially registered in Spain (usually by the hospital or funeral home), there are a few different ways to request the certificate:
- Online, through the Spanish Ministry of Justice website. This can work in some cases, but the system isn’t always easy to use if you’re unfamiliar with Spanish forms or don’t have a digital certificate.
- By post, by writing to the Civil Registry Office (Registro Civil) in the town or city where the death was registered. This can take several weeks, especially if there are delays or missing information.
- Through an English speaking solicitor in Spain, who can request the certificate on your behalf. This is often the quickest and most straightforward route, especially if you also need help with the following legal steps.
From our experience supporting UK families, we’ve found that the third option is usually the most efficient. As your English-speaking solicitors in Spain, we can take care of the request for you, speak directly with the registry office, and make sure the certificate is issued correctly. It’s one less thing for you to worry about at an already difficult time.
What details do I need to request the certificate?
To apply for the death certificate, you will usually need some basic information about your loved one and your relationship to them. This typically includes:
- Their full name
- The date and place where they died
- Their ID number or NIE (if you have it)
- Proof that you are related or have the right to request the certificate (this may be needed in some cases)
There are different kinds of death certificates available. Some show the full details of the death, others are shorter extracts, and some are designed for international use, with translations included. We can explain which type you need, especially if you have to deal with things like property, taxes, or inheritance, either in Spain or the UK.
What if the death hasn’t been registered yet?
If the death hasn’t been officially registered yet, for example, if your loved one passed away at home and no one was there to register it immediately, the process might take longer.
Spanish law says the death must be registered within 24 hours, and usually, the hospital or funeral home takes care of this. However, sometimes, especially if there is no close family nearby, there can be delays. If you’re not sure whether the death has been registered, or if you need help to get it done, we can contact the local registry for you, find out what’s needed, and help to sort it out.
How long does it take to get the certificate?
The time it takes to get a death certificate can vary depending on a few things. One important factor is whether the death has already been registered in Spain. Another is how you choose to request the certificate. If you apply directly at the Civil Registry Office in Spain, the certificate can sometimes be issued on the same day. This is often the quickest option if you or someone you trust can go in person.
However, if you’re applying from home in the UK, either by post or online, the process usually takes longer. It might take several days or even a few weeks to receive the document, depending on the local registry office’s workload and the postal service’s speed.
When you choose us as your solicitors, we maintain close contact with the registry office to help speed up the process wherever possible. We’ll make sure you receive the correct documents for any legal or official purposes, so you don’t need to worry about unnecessary delays or missing paperwork.
What happens next?
Once you have the death certificate, you can start the next steps in managing your loved one’s estate. This often includes applying for probate in Spain, which is the legal process needed to deal with their property, money, and other assets. You may also need to pay inheritance tax, called Impuesto sobre Sucesiones, in Spain.
Besides this, you may need to start the process of transferring ownership of any property or vehicles, or access and close any bank accounts. Each of these steps involves Spanish laws, tax rules, and deadlines that must be carefully followed. That’s why it’s important to have the right legal help from the beginning.
If you’ve lost a loved one in Spain and need help getting a death certificate or managing their estate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your situation and explain how we can assist.
You don’t need to worry about language difficulties, confusing rules, or missing deadlines as one of our English-speaking solicitors will guide you through every step. Whether you just need some advice or want us to take care of everything for you, we’re here to support you. You can give us a call on +44 (0)20 3137 1320, email us at info@gbabogados.co.uk, or use the contact form on our website to ask any questions and we’ll get back to you.