Losing someone you love is hard, and when it happens, there’s paperwork that needs to be handled, especially if you’re managing a death claim or wrapping up deceased estates in South Africa. One of the most important documents you’ll need is a death certificate from South Africa. Whether you’re in the country or living abroad, getting a death certificate in SA is a vital step in finalising legal and financial affairs. Issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs, this document confirms a person’s death and is required for everything from claiming life insurance to closing accounts and transferring assets.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to report a death, what forms are needed – like BI-1663 and BI-132 – and how the death register in South Africa works, so you can access the deceased records in South Africa and do what you need to do next.
What is a South African death certificate?
A South African death certificate is an official document issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs. It confirms the identity of the deceased and records key details, such as the date, time, and cause of death.
You’ll need a Home Affairs death certificate to:
- Submit death claims for insurance or pensions
- Administer a deceased estate, cancel services, policies, and accounts
- Transfer property or assets
- Access deceased records in South Africa for legal or tax purposes
If you’re based overseas, this document becomes even more critical to help you manage everything from afar.
Step 1: Reporting a death in South Africa
The first step in the process is reporting a death in South Africa to the South African DHA (Department of Home Affairs). This should be done as soon as possible.
You can report a death at:
- Any Department of Home Affairs South Africa office
- A local police station (in remote areas)
- A health facility or through a registered funeral undertaker
The person reporting the death is usually:
- A family member or next of kin
- A medical practitioner
- The funeral director
Step 2: Forms needed to register the death
To register the death and apply for a death certificate in SA, several key documents must be completed and submitted.
Form BI-1663 – Notice of Death
This is one of the most important documents in the process. The BI-1663 Notice of Death records personal details of the deceased, the cause of death, and the identity of the person reporting the death.
It must be completed and signed by:
- The person reporting the death
- A medical professional (to confirm the cause of death)
- A funeral undertaker
Form BI-1680 – Death Register
Once the BI-1663 is processed, Form BI-1680 is issued. This registers the death in the official death register of South Africa — it’s part of the internal DHA process but may be required in certain estate-related matters.
Form BI-132 – Application for a Death Certificate
This form is used to apply for a printed death certificate in South Africa once the death is registered. Once submitted, the certificate is usually issued within a few working days.
Step 3: Collecting the death certificate
After all forms are submitted and accepted, the South African DHA will issue the first death certificate, SA, free of charge. This original certificate can be used for legal, banking, and estate purposes. You can request additional copies from the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, for a small fee.
Can you get an online death certificate in South Africa?
Presently, the option to apply for a full online death certificate in South Africa is limited. While some processes have moved online, the death must still be registered in person through Home Affairs or a registered undertaker.
If you’re abroad, your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate can help you apply for the certificate and access deceased records in South Africa.
Common issues when claiming from abroad
When you’re not in the country, dealing with a death claim and trying to get a South African death certificate can be stressful. Common challenges include:
- Incomplete or incorrect Form BI-1663
- Delays in registration at Home Affairs
- Not having enough certified copies of the foreign death certificate
- Difficulty accessing deceased records in South Africa for estate and tax purposes.
What’s the difference between a death notice and a death certificate?
Many people confuse death notices in South Africa with death certificates. A death notice is typically a public announcement or obituary in a newspaper or online – it has no legal standing. A death certificate, on the other hand, is a legal document issued by the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa. It’s essential for estate administration and official purposes.
FinGlobal: cross-border financial specialists for South Africans
Applying for a death certificate back in SA might feel overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it from another country. Between the paperwork stacks – like Form BI-1663, BI-1680, and BI-132 – and jumping through the hoops of South Africa DHA systems, it can be a lot to handle.
That’s why we’re here to help. FinGlobal specialises in cross-border financial solutions — including deceased estates in South Africa, inheritance payouts, and fund transfers for South Africans living abroad.
To find out how we can assist, leave your contact details in the form below, and we’ll be in touch to get the ball rolling.