Medical certificate of death and death certificate: procedures and practical advice

In the event of a death in France or abroad, several administrative procedures must be completed quickly. Among them, obtaining the death certificate or the medical certificate of death is essential for inheritance formalities, insurance claims, and dealings with embassies.
If the death must be declared abroad or to a foreign authority, a sworn translation of these documents becomes mandatory.

What is the difference between a medical certificate of death and a death certificate?

The medical certificate of death

It is a medical document issued by a healthcare professional certifying the death of a person. It is given directly to the town hall of the place of death or to the family for official registration.

The death certificate

A death certificate is an official civil status document issued by the town hall. It states the date and place of death, the identity of the deceased and, if applicable, that of the surviving spouse.
This is the document that is used in all administrative and legal procedures , both in France and abroad.

How do I obtain a death certificate?

If the death occurred in France

A death certificate can be requested:

• at the town hall of the place of death,
  
• at the town hall of the deceased's last residence,
  
• or directly online via the service-public.fr website
  

The process is free and the document is usually issued within 3 to 5 working days.

If the death occurred abroad

If the death occurred outside the territory:

• You must contact the French consulate or embassy in the country concerned for registration.
  
• A local death certificate will also be issued by the foreign authorities.
  
• To use it in France, it will need to undergo a sworn translation and possibly be apostilled or legalized depending on the country.
  

Why is a certified translation mandatory?

Documents relating to death written in another language are not recognized by the French authorities without an official translation.
Only a sworn translation carried out by a translator sworn before a court of appeal guarantees the legal conformity of the document.

This translation is required for:

• international successions
  
• life insurance or pensions abroad;
  
• consular procedures ( repatriation of the body, declaration of death)
  
• notarial acts related to inheritance.
  

DocuTrad offers certified translations that conform to the original and are valid with all administrations and jurisdictions.

How to apostille or legalize a foreign death certificate

Identify the country concerned :

• If the country is a signatory to the Hague Convention , the document must be apostilled by the competent local authority.
  
• If the country is not, consular legalization must be carried out .
  
• Translate after authentication :
  The sworn translation must be carried out after the affixing of the apostille or legalization, in order to include this mention in the translated version.
  
• Submit the translated documents to the administrations or notaries according to the procedure in progress (inheritance, insurance, repatriation, etc.).
  

Why choose DocuTrad

DocuTrad assists families, notaries and legal professionals in the translation and certification of documents related to deaths and inheritances.

DocuTrad's guarantees:

• Sworn translations legally recognized worldwide.
  
• A network of translators sworn before the competent courts of appeal .
  
• Fast delivery (24 to 48 h) , signed PDF format and DHL paper option.
  
• Dedicated customer service, absolute confidentiality, secure payment (Shopify or PayPal).
  

FAQ

1. Does the death certificate always need to be translated?
Yes, whenever it is to be used abroad or was drawn up in a foreign language.

2. Who can translate a death certificate?
Only a sworn translator registered with a court of appeal is authorized to certify the accuracy of the translation.

3. Should the document be apostilled before or after the translation?
The apostille or legalization must be affixed before the translation, so that it is included in the certified version.

4. Are electronic translations valid?
Yes. PDFs signed and sealed by DocuTrad have the same value as paper versions.

5. Are DocuTrad translations recognized by insurance companies or notaries?
Yes, they are accepted by the majority of insurance companies, notary offices and government agencies.