- Home
- Personal Documents
- Death Certificate
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
Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.
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
This fee is set by each state, so it differs. Each row shows whether we matched it to the official government site.
| State | Fee | Time | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹5 per extra copy (first copy free), search ₹2 per yearChecked on official site Source | About 7 days | mcdonline.nic.inMCD late fee ₹2 (21 to 30 days), ₹5 (to 1 year), ₹10 (after 1 year, SDM order). Delhi 2024 amendment rules not yet reflected on MCD portal. NDMC areas use NDMC's own portal and rates |
| Maharashtra | ₹20 per copy (was ₹10)To confirm Source | About 7 days | portal.mcgm.gov.in (Mumbai)Copy fee raised from ₹10 to ₹20 by the 31 Jul 2026 amendment rules; late, search and correction fees were also raised but exact figures are not yet published online (model rules: late ₹20, ₹50, ₹100; search ₹20 per year). Over 1 year needs SDM approval, over 2 years a court order |
| West Bengal | ₹50 per copy, search ₹20 per yearTo confirm Source | About 7 days | kmcgov.in (Kolkata)Late fee ₹20 (21 to 30 days), ₹50 (to 1 year), ₹100 (1 to 2 years), ₹100 after 2 years with Judicial Magistrate order. Rules of 8 Jul 2026 (HFW/50099), same in Kolkata (KMC) |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹200 per extra copy (first copy free), search ₹100 per yearChecked on official site Source | About 7 days | crstn.orgLate fee ₹100 (21 to 30 days), ₹200 (to 1 year), ₹500 (after 1 year). Events from 2018 downloadable free on CRS. Chennai on chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Karnataka | ₹5 per copy, search ₹2 per year (1999 rules)Checked on official site Source | About 7 days | ejanma.karnataka.gov.inLate fee ₹2 (21 to 30 days), ₹5 (to 1 year), ₹10 (after 1 year); non-availability ₹2. No revised Karnataka fee rules found; these 1999 rates are still charged. Bengaluru (BBMP) follows same rules |
| Telangana | ₹45 per certificate at MeeSeva (GHMC)Checked on official site Source | Same day at MeeSeva for registered deaths | bnd.ghmc.gov.in / MeeSevaLate fee ₹2 (21 to 30 days), ₹5 (to 1 year), ₹10 (after 1 year) and search ₹2 per year under 1999 rules. Hyderabad rate shown |
| Gujarat | ₹50 per copy, search ₹20 per yearTo confirm Source | About 7 days | eolakh.gujarat.gov.inLate fee ₹20 (21 to 30 days), ₹50 (to 1 year), ₹100 (after 1 year) under the amendment rules of 27 Feb 2025. Same in Ahmedabad (AMC) |
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
More civil records
All personal documents · Starting a business? See the licence checklist