Ordering a death certificate (Sterbeurkunde) in Essen
Death certificate for a death in Essen: the Urkundenstelle (certificate office) of the Standesamt Essen, Hollestr. 3, issues it as long as the death was no more than 30 years ago; older entries are at the city archive. The certificate costs 10 euros, each further identical one 5 euros. The city gives no processing time. With us: 39 euros including the fee.
Death certificate Essen: fee, period, office
- Responsible office
- Standesamt Essen, Urkundenstelle, Hollestr. 3, 45127 Essen · responsible if the death occurred in Essen
- Official fee
- 10 € per death certificate · 5 € per further identical certificate in the same order · international death certificate 10 €
- Period covered
- death register of the last 30 years at the Standesamt · older ones at the city archive (hdeg@essen.de)
- How to apply
- online via the city's form · in writing · in person by appointment on 0201 88-33458
All details (3)Show less
- Processing time
- according to the city, no information possible
- Who may apply
- spouse, children, grandchildren, parents · siblings with a legitimate interest · others with a power of attorney or legal interest
- Behördenfix fixed price
- 39 € including the official fee
As of: 26.10.2026 · Source: Stadt Essen
Our order in four steps
- 1State the deathName, date of death and, if known, the hospital or street in Essen.
- 2Choose the number and payEach further identical certificate costs only 5 euros at the office.
- 3Relationship and power of attorneyID copy, your relationship to the deceased, your signature.
- 4Order from the StandesamtWe request the certificate and follow up until it arrives.
Ordering yourself from the Standesamt Essen
The way without us, step by step
Relatives can order the death certificate themselves from the Urkundenstelle in Essen. The city offers three ways:
- The city of Essen's online form, death register section.
- A letter to Standesamt Essen, Urkundenstelle, Hollestr. 3, 45127 Essen, with name, date of death and your entitlement.
- An appointment at the Urkundenstelle, booked by phone on 0201 88-33458 between 8 and 10. Bring your ID card or passport.
- Payment differs by route. If the date or place is not known exactly, a search fee of 17 to 66 euros may apply.
- Costs: yourself you pay 10 euros for the first and 5 euros for each further identical certificate. With us the death certificate costs 39 euros including the fee, with power of attorney, order and follow-up.
Who gets a death certificate
- First and family name of the deceased, date and place of death in Essen.
- Your ID copy and your relationship to the deceased.
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- According to the city of Essen, the certificate goes to the spouse, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents and grandparents. Siblings get it if they show a credible legitimate interest.
- Everyone else needs a written power of attorney from an entitled person or proof of a legal interest, for example through certificates.
- Besides certificates, the Urkundenstelle gives information: from a civil status book for 6 euros, from a collected file for 8 euros. A multilingual form under EU Regulation 2016/1191 costs 10 euros, further copies ordered at the same time 5 euros. For deaths more than 30 years ago, write to hdeg@essen.de.
- For our order: your power of attorney for Behördenfix, signed during the order.
What is special in Essen
Only 30 years at the Standesamt
The death register has the shortest period: the Standesamt Essen keeps it for 30 years, the birth register for 110 years. For older deaths, contact the Haus der Essener Geschichte, Stadtarchiv, Ernst-Schmidt-Platz 1, 45128 Essen.
More about Essen (3)Show less
The place of death decides. If someone died in Essen, the certificate comes from Hollestraße, even if the person last lived in another city.
In Essen the certificate costs 10 euros, as in Köln (Cologne); in Düsseldorf 15 euros. If several copies are ordered in one order, the second and each further identical certificate costs 5 euros.
Not to be confused with a declaration of death: if a person is missing, there is no death certificate. A court declaration of death replaces it; the Amtsgericht Essen-Borbeck describes the procedure on its page.
Questions about the death certificate from Essen
How long does a death certificate take in Essen?
The city of Essen publishes no processing time; its page says no information can be given. Without exact details of date or place, the Standesamt has to search, which costs time and a search fee. We order with complete details and follow up if the certificate does not come.
Can I go to the Standesamt Essen without an appointment?
Not for certificates. The Urkundenstelle at Hollestraße 3 receives visitors after booking by phone on 0201 88-33458, Monday to Friday from 8 to 10. Without an appointment, order in writing or via the city of Essen's online form; the certificate then comes by post.
What do I need to get a death certificate?
Proof of your entitlement, the name and date of death of the deceased and, if possible, the exact place in Essen. In person you need an ID card or passport. Anyone outside the circle of relatives presents a written power of attorney. The certificate costs 10 euros, further identical ones 5 euros each.
Who may apply for a death certificate in Essen?
Spouses, but not divorced ones, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents and grandparents. Siblings if they show a credible legitimate interest. Others with a written power of attorney or a proven legal interest. Under the Civil Status Act you may apply from the age of 16. We order with your power of attorney.
What is the death certificate needed for?
The Amtsgericht Essen-Borbeck names the application for a certificate of inheritance as well as pension claims and other insurance benefits. For use abroad, the Standesamt Essen issues an international death certificate for 10 euros. The offices concerned tell you how many copies you need; identical certificates in one order cost 5 euros from the second one.
Official sources
- Stadt Essen – Personenstandsurkunden und Auskünfte aus Personenstandsbüchern, read on 26.10.2026
- Amtsgericht Essen-Borbeck – Todeserklärungen, read on 26.10.2026
- Personenstandsgesetz § 62 – Urkundenerteilung, read on 26.10.2026
- Stadt Essen – Onlineformular Personenstandsurkunden, read on 26.10.2026
Reviewed by M. Gabal on 26.10.2026
Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix orders from the Standesamt with your power of attorney and follows up. We do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case.