It’s hard to cope with the unbearable pain of losing someone close to you. But when the death occurs in South Africa, far from Greece, the grief can be overwhelming because, amidst the emotional turmoil, the family has to deal with a number of administrative tasks and navigate a complex web of legal requirements, documentation and logistics. One of these is the apostille of the death certificate for Greece.
When it comes to dealing with administrative matters relating to a deceased person from overseas, the death certificate plays a central role. This document serves as official proof of death and is essential for obtaining the necessary permits and clearances. The legalisation of the death certificate is equally important as it ensures that it’s valid and accepted in Greece. Therefore, it’s crucial for families and funeral service providers to understand the relevant legal framework and to ensure that the death certificate is compliant at every step of the process.
In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of the death certificate apostille for Greece, highlighting the different death certificates issued in South Africa and the legal requirements for their legalisation, to help readers better understand what to expect and how to navigate this sensitive journey.
Understanding Death Certificates issued in South Africa
The South African Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992 requires that a person’s death be reported to the Department of Home Affairs, which issues a death certificate after receiving the Death Notification Form (BI-1663) and Death Report Form (BI-1680). There are two types of death certificate:
Abridged death certificate
An abridged death certificate is a simplified version of the death certificate, containing only basic information such as the deceased’s name, date and place of death. It is used primarily for administrative purposes and lacks the level of detail found in a unabridged death certificate. Abridged death certificates are issued free of charge immediately following registration of the death. This is typically the certificate that is provided to the deceased’s family by the funeral home. An abridged death certificate is used for a number of purposes. These include facilitating funeral arrangements, notifying businesses and closing the accounts of the deceased.
Abridged death certificate cannot obtain apostille certificate issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Unabridged death certificate
An unabridged death certificate is a complete and detailed version of the death certificate. It includes the deceased’s full name; date and place of birth; date, time and place of death; cause of death, including contributing factors and underlying conditions; detailed medical information, such as the name of the attending physician, medical history and autopsy results (if applicable); personal information, including marital status, occupation and next of kin; and other pertinent details relating to the circumstances of the death. It is issued by the Department of Home Affairs after payment of a fee (R75.00). An unabridged death certificate is very important for legal matters such as immigration, inheritance, and the resolution of family-related legal proceedings. It is also the only version acceptable for apostille certificates issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document for use in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, such as Greece or South Africa. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and identifies the seal or stamp that the document bears, ensuring that it is recognised as valid abroad. In South Africa, Apostilles certificates are issued by the courts or the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
You may need to obtain an Apostille in South Africa for various reasons. Here are some common circumstances where it may be required:
- Transporting Human Remains Internationally: An apostilled death certificate is required for the transport of human remains by air or for the repatriation of a deceased body for burial.
- Estate settlement abroad: If the deceased owned assets or property in a foreign country, you may need to provide the foreign authorities with an apostilled death certificate to settle the estate or transfer ownership.
- Insurance claims: When making a life insurance claim with a foreign insurance company, they may require an apostilled death certificate as proof of the policyholder’s death.
- Pension or benefit claims: Similar to insurance, if you’re claiming a foreign pension or survivor benefits on behalf of the deceased, the pension or benefit administrator may need an apostilled death certificate.
- Dual citizenship or foreign visas: If your foreign-born relative passed away, you might need their apostilled death certificate to resolve dual citizenship issues or cancel a foreign visa in their home country.
- Foreign legal proceedings: In some cases, foreign courts may require an apostilled death certificate as evidence in legal matters related to the deceased, such as probate or inheritance disputes.
Legalisation of a Death certificate for use in Greece
In South Africa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the South African High Court are the government bodies that issue apostille certificates.
Should an apostille certificate be required on an original death certificate for use in Greece, it is only possible to apply for it at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) using an unabridged death certificate.
Abridged death certificates are not accepted at DIRCO. However, it is possible to obtain a High Court apostille for a copy of the certificate that has been authenticated by a public notary.
Important Considerations:
- Unabridged/abridged death certificate: Obtain an unabridged death certificate as soon as possible. They are more useful than abridged death certificate.
- Time Sensitivity: Start the process as early as possible. The entire procedure can take several weeks, especially if done by mail.
- Document Care: Make copies of all documents before sending them.
- Professional Services: If you’re pressed for time or find the process overwhelming, consider using a professional apostille service like ours. We can manage the entire process for you.
- Multiple Copies: If you need multiple copies of the death certificate apostilled, you must go through this process for each copy.
- Translation: Certified translation of the death certificate are required. Contact the embassy of Greece in South Africa to obtain the contact of a sworn translation. They do keep a list.
Remember, dealing with death certificate Apostille for Greece can be emotionally challenging. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or professional services if you find the process difficult to manage during grief. At Global Apostille, we provide Apostille with a Death Certificate with a fast turnaround.
Why Choose Global Apostille?
At Global Apostille, we take the guesswork out of obtaining death certificate Apostille for Greece. We delivers fast, reliable, and professional apostille services. We understand that handling legal documents can be stressful, especially in difficult circumstances like dealing with a death.
We aim to simplify the document legalization process so you can proceed with your plans without delays. Here are a few reasons why our clients trust us with their apostille needs:
- Expertise in global document legalisation: Specialising in apostille and embassy legalisation of South African and international documents.
- Speed and Accuracy: Fast and efficient services to meet tight deadlines with precision.
- Exceptional customer service: Clear communication and personalised attention for every client.
- Nationwide availability: We can assist you wherever you are in South Africa.
- Flexible service options: We offer same-day, express and expedited apostille services to suit your needs.
If you have any inquiries about our apostille services for New York Death Certificate, feel free to contact us today. We will be happy to help you. Tel: 012 348 3134; Mobile: 081 347 6060; Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za.
FAQs about death certificate apostille for Greece
1. How soon after death do you get a certificate in South africa
In South Africa, an abridged death certificate is usually issued on the same day as the death is registered with the Department of Home Affairs. To obtain an unabridged certificate, which includes the cause of death, you’ll need to complete form BI-132 and submit it to a DHA office. Processing times for unabridged certificates can vary and may take a few weeks depending on how easily records can be located.
2. Should I apostille my abridged or unabridged birth certificate?
We advise getting the apostille on the unabridged death certificate when legalising a South African-issued death certificate. The Unabridged death certificate provides all of the information and is typically requested by most overseas authorities rather than the abridged version.
3. How quickly can I get an apostille of a death certificate?
For DIRCO apostilles it typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, while the South African High Court apostille takes 2 to 5 days, you can also use Global Apostille’s expedited express service where you can get a death certificate apostille anywhere from 2 to 4 working days.
