Order a death certificate in Hamburg
Death certificate from Hamburg: it is issued by the registry office (Standesamt) that registered the death, for cases from 2009 by any Hamburg registry office. It costs 19.50 euros, each further one in the same procedure 8.50 euros. Processing usually takes three to ten days («in der Regel 3 bis 10 Tage»); it does not work by phone. With us 39 euros inclusive.
Death certificate Hamburg at a glance
- Official fee
- €19.50 per certificate · each further one in the same procedure €8.50As of: 27.10.2026 · Hamburg Service
- Processing time
- processing time usually 3 to 10 daysAs of: 27.10.2026 · Hamburg Service
- Phone
- no application and no status information by phoneAs of: 27.10.2026 · Hamburg Service
- For use abroad
- certificates with the note § 67 Abs. 3 PStG are not recognised abroadAs of: 27.10.2026 · Hamburg Service
All details (2)Show less
- Register
- death register 30 years at the Standesamt, then Staatsarchiv Hamburg
- Behördenfix fixed price
- €39 including the €19.50 fee
Which certificate you need
- Death certificate
- €19.50, for funeral, estate and insurance
- Multilingual
- €19.50, can replace the translation abroad
- Further copy
- €8.50, in the same procedure
More rows (2)Show less
- For pension purposes
- free of charge
- Older than 30 years
- at the Staatsarchiv Hamburg
How we take the application off your hands
- 1Name the deathName, date, place in Hamburg.
- 2Set the numberFor undertaker, bank, insurance.
- 3Pay the fixed priceThe 19.50 euro fee is included.
- 4Application with power of attorneyIn writing, sent by post.
Apply yourself at the Standesamt Hamburg
The way without us, step by step
Responsible is the Hamburg registry office for the area where the person died. If the place of the event is no longer known, the Generalregister of the Hamburg registry offices finds the registering office on written request.
- In person or in writing with identity card or passport and proof of kinship such as a birth, marriage or civil partnership certificate. The certificate comes by post unless collection has been agreed.
- Online via the online service after registering; the steps match the written application.
- Anyone collecting for others brings a written power of attorney from the entitled person, that person's ID and their own ID. Payment is made in advance, after sending or on collection.
- Costs compared: the registry office charges 19.50 euros per certificate and 8.50 euros for each further one in the same procedure. With us the certificate costs 39 euros including this fee. We are not an authority, and we change nothing about the 3 to 10 days.
The details we need
- First name, surname and birth name of the deceased.
- Date and place of death, e.g. hospital or district such as Eppendorf, Wandsbek or Harburg.
More documents (3)Show less
- Your relationship to the deceased and, if asked, proof of kinship.
- Number of certificates and whether a multilingual version for abroad should be included.
- A copy of your ID and the informal power of attorney for Behördenfix from the order.
For abroad: from the original registry office
From 2009 any office, for abroad the original one
For deaths registered at a Hamburg registry office from 2009, all seven Hamburg registry offices issue further certificates. These carry the note «Urkunde gemäß § 67 Absatz 3 des Personenstandsgesetzes». The city warns: certificates with this note are not recognised abroad. For abroad, the originally responsible registry office must issue them.
More about Hamburg (2)Show less
Hamburg states a processing time for the death certificate: usually three to ten days. The registry office takes no applications or status questions by phone. The multilingual death certificate can replace the translation otherwise needed abroad.
After 30 years the period in which the registry office keeps the death register ends; older cases are at the Staatsarchiv Hamburg. If a German died on a German seagoing ship, according to the city the Standesamt I in Berlin issues the death certificate.
Questions about the death certificate from Hamburg
What does a death certificate cost in Hamburg?
19.50 euros for the first certificate and 8.50 euros for each further one in the same procedure, so three certificates at once cost 36.50 euros. Certificates for pension purposes are free. You pay the fee in advance, after sending or on collection. At Behördenfix you pay 39 euros per certificate, fee included.
How long does a death certificate take in Hamburg?
According to the city, processing usually takes three to ten days. The certificate then comes by post, unless you have agreed to collect it in person. The registry office gives no status information by phone. According to the city the certificate is needed e.g. for the funeral and its preparation, settling the estate and insurance benefits.
Who may apply for a death certificate in Hamburg?
The last spouse or civil partner, ancestors and descendants of the deceased, siblings with a legitimate interest and closer relatives such as an aunt or uncle with a legal interest, e.g. through a letter from the probate court. All must be at least 16 years old. With a written power of attorney from an entitled person, a representative may also apply.
Is a Hamburg death certificate valid abroad?
Yes, if it comes from the originally responsible registry office. Certificates issued by another Hamburg registry office under § 67 Absatz 3 Personenstandsgesetz are not recognised abroad, according to the city. For abroad there is the multilingual death certificate; if the destination country needs an apostille, the Amt für Migration (migration office) issues it.
Can I apply for the death certificate by phone or online?
Not by phone, the city explicitly rules that out. Online works via the online service after registering and logging in; the further steps match the personal or written application. In writing or in person you show your identity card or passport and proof of kinship, e.g. your birth certificate if a parent has died.
Official sources
- Hamburg Service – Sterbeurkunde beantragen, read on 27.10.2026
- hamburg.de – Urkundenanforderung (Standesämter), read on 27.10.2026
- Hamburg Service – Apostille (Amt für Migration), read on 27.10.2026
Reviewed by M. Gabal on 28.10.2026
Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix orders with your power of attorney from the responsible Hamburg registry office. We are not an authority, do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case.