Zimbabwe Death Certificate

When Do You Need a Death Certificate?

A death certificate is required for:

Estate administration and inheritance claims
Insurance and pension claims (including NSSA benefits)
Transferring property and change of ownership
Cancellation of the deceased's identity documents
Remarriage of the surviving spouse

Who Can Apply?

Next of kin: spouse, child, parent, sibling
Legal representative: executor of estate, lawyer
Funeral director: on behalf of the family

Documents Required

Deceased's national ID (or birth certificate if a minor)
Medical cause of death certificate (from doctor or hospital — Form BD5)
Applicant's national ID
Marriage certificate (if applicant is the spouse)
If death occurred at home: police report
If death was unnatural: post-mortem report

Step-by-Step Process

Obtain Medical Cause of Death Certificate

The attending doctor or hospital issues Form BD5 (medical cause of death). If the person died at home, contact the police who will arrange for a doctor to examine the body and issue the form.

Visit the Registrar General's Office

Go to the nearest district registry with all required documents. The death must be registered within 30 days.

Register the Death

Complete the death registration form. The registrar will issue a burial order (needed before the funeral can proceed).

Pay the Fee and Collect the Certificate

Pay approximately US$5. The death certificate is usually issued within 5 working days.

Getting a Death Certificate from Abroad

If you need a Zimbabwe death certificate while living abroad:

Contact the nearest Zimbabwe embassy or consulate
Provide a certified copy of the deceased's ID, the medical cause of death form, and your own ID/passport
Pay the applicable embassy fee
Alternatively, authorise a family member in Zimbabwe to apply on your behalf with a signed power of attorney

Cost

Service	Fee
Death registration and burial order	Free - US$2
Death certificate	~US$5
Certified copy of death certificate	~US$5

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon must a death be registered in Zimbabwe?

A death must be registered within 30 days. A burial order cannot be issued without registering the death.

Who can apply for a death certificate in Zimbabwe?

The next of kin (spouse, child, parent, sibling) or a legal representative can apply for a death certificate.

How much does a death certificate cost in Zimbabwe?

A death certificate costs approximately US$5. A burial order is usually issued free or at minimal cost.

Can I bury someone without registering the death?

No. You need a burial order from the Registrar General's office before a burial can take place. The death must be registered first.