Registering a Death

Reporting and registering a death

The Births and Deaths Registration Act requires that a person’s death be reported to any one of the following people:

• Specific officers at the Department of Home Affairs.
• South African Police Service members, especially in areas where the Department of Home Affairs has no offices.
• South African mission, embassy, or consulate if the death occurred abroad.
• Funeral undertakers who are appointed and recognised by the law.

Complete form BI-1663 (Notification of death/still-birth). The following people must complete different sections of this form:

• The person reporting the death.
• A medical practitioner (where a medical practitioner is not available to complete this form, in rural areas for example, a traditional leader may complete the form).
• A Home Affairs official (where an official from the Department of Home Affairs is not available then a member of the SA Police Services may be approached to complete the form).

The Register of Births & Death will give you a death report (form BI-1680) after the death has been registered, together with a burial order (Form BI-14). No burial may take place unless authorised by way of a burial order. The death report can be issued only by someone whom the Department of Home Affairs has authorised to do so (this includes traditional leaders, members of the SA Police Services and authorised undertakers).

The Department of Home Affairs will issue a death certificate on receipt of the Notification of death and the death report together with an abridged death certificate on the same day (BI-132) of registration of death. You need to make sure that the details on the death certificate are correct, the ID number, spelling of the deceased’s names and surname and marital status. If there are mistakes on the certificate, they need to be corrected at Home Affairs.

People who need to be informed

• All family members and friends should be notified about the death.
• Notify the deceased’s employer.
• The deceased’s Will should have information about the wishes of the deceased, and the necessary steps should be taken to contact people mentioned in the Will. 

Reporting a death that occurs outside South Africa

Deaths of South African citizens and South African permanent residence permit holders that occur outside South Africa must be reported to the nearest South African embassy or mission overseas. The country in which the death occurs must issue a death certificate and a certified copy of the death certificate must be submitted to the South African embassy or mission when a death is reported. 

If the deceased is to be buried in South Africa, the embassy or mission will assist with the paperwork and arrangements with regards to transportation of the body to South Africa.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, together with its representatives overseas, may provide logistical assistance and advice to the next of kin in the event of the death of a South African citizen overseas.

The assistance includes:

• Obtaining a permit for importing mortal remains from the Department of Health.
• Placing family members into contact with reputable undertakers.
• Obtaining quotes for the transportation of the mortal remains and/or cremation and/or local burial, if so, requested by the next of kin.
• Providing information on local conditions and procedures affecting the deceased. It should be kept in mind that the way someone dies can affect how the local authorities handle the case.

In the event the deceased had travel insurance, it's recommended that the insurer is contacted first to establish if the deceased is covered in case of death.

The next of kin of a deceased South African has 4 options to consider:

• The return of mortal remains to South Africa.
• Cremation and return of the ashes to South Africa.
• Local Burial.
• Pauper’s burial (free of any charges).

The South African representative will help with getting quotes to enable the next of kin to make an informed decision.

If using an undertaker it's important to note that the services are subject to payment.

Practice differs from country to country and this will influence the process. The South African representative or the Department will provide guidance.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Department of International Relations Cooperation's website. 

Home affairs will continue to register deaths during the lockdown. Offices are open to the public on Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 15:30, and from 9:00 to 15:30 on the last Wednesday of the month. Please remember that, according to COVID-19 regulations, a person must wear a face mask when visiting Home Affairs offices.