Certificado de defunción del Registro Civil (literal o extracto)

What you need to have to hand

• DNI/NIE/pasaporte of the applicant.
• Datos del fallecido: name and surnames, date and place of death, and the Registro Civil where it’s registered.
• Parentesco o interés legítimo if you’re not an immediate family member (inheritance, insurance, bank…).
• Autorización o poder if you act for someone else.
• Email/postal address if there’s no instant download.

Documentation

1. Identification of the applicant (Cl@ve, certificado digital or DNIe for online; physical DNI if you go in person).
2. Registry details if you know them: tomo, page, section. Not mandatory, but it speeds things up.
3. Proof of legitimate interest if you’re not a direct relative: libro de familia, inheritance/testament documents, bank or insurer request, power of attorney, etc.
4. Signed authorisation + DNI of the person who authorises you if you act in their name (or a power of attorney).
5. If the death was abroad: consular or Registro Civil Central registration number (if already registered).

Step by step

1. Go to the Sede del Ministerio de Justicia: https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es and search for “Solicitud de certificados del Registro Civil (defunción)”.
2. Click Tramitar online. Identify with Cl@ve/certificado/DNIe. Without ID you can still request it, but no instant download.
3. Fill in Registro Civil, the deceased’s details and type of certificate: literal or extract; normal or plurilingual; with or without filiación data.
4. Attach proof of interest/kinship if you’re not a family member, or the authorisation/power if you act for someone else.
5. Review and send. If the entry is in DICIREG, download the PDF with CSV immediately. If not, choose email or postal delivery.
6. Prefer in-person? Book a cita previa at your Registro Civil and go with your DNI and the supporting documents. Find the office at https://www.mjusticia.gob.es (Registro Civil > Oficinas).

Time-saving tips

• If you’ll use it outside Spain, ask for the plurilingual version. It avoids translations (and sometimes the Apostilla).
• If you’re unsure which Registro Civil, check the certificado de empadronamiento of the place of death or ask the funeral home/hospital where registrations are sent.
• Attach any paper proving your legitimate interest. Better too much than too little: avoids requests and wasted weeks.
• If it won’t download, choose email delivery instead of postal. It arrives faster.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Asking too early: if the death isn’t registered yet, they’ll tell you to come back.
2. Forgetting the legitimate interest when you’re not family: automatic denial.
3. Choosing “with filiación” when you’re not the right person: they’ll redact it or reject the request.
4. Requesting an extracto when the notary/bank needs a literal: duplicate work.
5. Turning up without cita at the Registro Civil: many offices don’t serve walk-ins and you waste the trip.