Ordering a death certificate (Sterbeurkunde) in Köln
A death certificate for a death in Köln is issued by the Urkundenservice of the Standesamt Köln (civil registry office), Gülichplatz 1-3. The first certificate costs €10, each further identical one €5, plus €1 or €2 postage; delivery can take up to 10 working days. We order with your authorisation for €39 including the fee.
Death certificate in Köln at a glance
- Responsible office
- Urkundenservice of the Standesamt Köln, for deaths registered in KölnAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Address
- Haus Neuerburg, Gülichplatz 1-3, 50667 KölnAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Official fee
- €10 first certificate, €5 each further identical one · death entry for the family book €10 · postage €1 or €2 · free of charge for social insuranceAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Processing time
- up to 10 working days, longer abroadAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
All details (4)Show less
- How to apply
- online (certificates from 1996) · by phone 0221 / 221-26530 · in writing · in person only by appointment
- Proof
- Identity card or passport · proof of legal interest, for example a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein), a letter of appointment (Bestallungsurkunde) or a land register extract
- Power of attorney
- When visiting in person: power of attorney, copy of your ID and ID of the authorised person · not explicitly regulated for online and postal orders
- Behördenfix fixed price
- €39 including the official fee
How we order the death certificate for you
- 1Name the death and type of certificateName of the deceased, place and type of certificate, then pay online.
- 2Upload proofA copy of your ID and, if needed, proof such as a certificate of inheritance or a letter of appointment.
- 3Sign the power of attorneyYou authorise us during the order.
- 4Order and follow-upWe order from the Standesamt and follow up if the certificate does not arrive.
Ordering the death certificate yourself from the Urkundenservice Köln
The way without us, step by step
The Urkundenservice Köln asks people to order death certificates online or by phone where possible.
- Online via the city of Köln's order form for death certificates from 1996, with payment by PayPal or credit card.
- By phone on 0221 / 221-26530 or in writing; the certificate then comes with a payment request.
- In person at Haus Neuerburg only by appointment; there you pay in cash or by card.
- Example from the city: two death certificates €15, one death certificate and one death entry for the family book €20, each plus €1 or €2 postage.
- Costs if you apply yourself: €10 plus postage. With us you pay €39 including the fee; you only give the power of attorney and upload the proof.
Documents and proof of legal interest
- Identity card or passport of the person ordering.
- Proof of legal interest if you are not one of the closest relatives, such as a certificate of inheritance, a letter of appointment or a land register extract.
More documents (3)Show less
- Name, date of death and place of death of the deceased.
- Under § 62 of the Civil Status Act (Personenstandsgesetz), certificates are issued to spouses or civil partners, ancestors and descendants; other people need a legal interest.
- With us also: your power of attorney for Behördenfix.
Köln: the Standesamt where the death was registered is responsible
The place of death counts, not the place of residence
According to the city of Köln, you get the death certificate from the Standesamt that registered the death. If someone died in a hospital in Köln but was registered in a neighbouring town, Köln is responsible.
More about Cologne (3)Show less
Death certificates from 1996 can be ordered online from the Köln Urkundenservice. For older deaths, the city's page names no online route; we clarify these cases before making an offer.
Besides the simple death certificate, Köln offers the death entry for the family book, the multilingual international death certificate for foreign authorities and a fee-free certificate to present to social insurance.
The Urkundenservice at Haus Neuerburg is open Monday and Thursday from 8 to 16, Tuesday from 8 to 18, and Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 12, in person only by appointment. The entrance and toilets are fully accessible for wheelchair users, and there is a lift.
Frequently asked questions about the death certificate in Köln
How do I apply for a death certificate in Köln?
Through the Urkundenservice of the Standesamt Köln: online for deaths from 1996, by phone on 0221 / 221-26530, in writing or in person with an appointment at Haus Neuerburg on Gülichplatz. Online you pay by PayPal or credit card, in writing after a payment request. We take over the order with your authorisation.
What do I need to apply for a death certificate?
According to the city of Köln, your identity card or passport and, if needed, proof of legal interest. As examples, the city names a certificate of inheritance, a letter of appointment and a land register extract. You also need the name, date of death and place of death of the deceased. With us, you upload these documents during the order and we enclose them.
How long does a death certificate take in Köln?
According to the Standesamt Köln, up to 10 working days can pass between the order and delivery. If the certificate is to go abroad, shipping takes longer; for this the city refers to its online certificate service. We keep an eye on delivery and follow up if the certificate does not arrive.
How much does a death certificate cost in Köln?
At the Standesamt Köln, the first certificate costs €10 and each further identical one €5, the death entry for the family book €10, plus €1 or €2 postage. It is free of charge for social insurance. With us you pay €39 including the fee.
Who issues the death certificate?
The Standesamt that registered the death, that is, the Standesamt at the place of death. If someone died in Köln, the Urkundenservice of the Standesamt Köln is responsible, even if the person was registered elsewhere. We send the order to the right Standesamt.
May I apply for a death certificate for a relative?
Spouses or civil partners, ancestors and descendants receive the certificate under § 62 of the Civil Status Act. Other people need a legal interest; for this the city of Köln names, for example, a certificate of inheritance, a letter of appointment or a land register extract. Whether the proof is sufficient is decided by the Standesamt, not by us. We submit your proof with the order.
Official sources
- Stadt Köln – Sterbeurkunde bestellen, read on 22.10.2026
- Stadt Köln – Urkundenservice (Anschrift, Öffnungszeiten), read on 22.10.2026
- Personenstandsgesetz § 62 (Erteilung von Personenstandsurkunden)
Reviewed by M. Gabal on 26.10.2026
Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix fills in, submits and tracks the application. We do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case.