What a duplicate death certificate is
A duplicate is a new copy of the death certificate, issued by the civil registry from the original record held in its registers. It carries the same legal weight as the original.
A duplicate is issued when the original certificate has been lost, damaged, stolen, or destroyed. The death record in the registry remains the source, however many duplicates are issued.
When you need a duplicate
A duplicate is needed in several situations where the original certificate is unavailable:
- The original was lost or stolen
- The original was damaged or destroyed
- A fresh copy is needed for a formal procedure, years after the death
- An old certificate has become illegible or deteriorated over time
Who can obtain a duplicate
The duplicate is issued to family members or entitled persons — beneficiaries of a will, of a maintenance contract, or of a life annuity, and similar cases.
A person with no connection to the deceased cannot obtain the duplicate. The applicant must prove kinship or their status as an entitled person.
Where to apply
The request can be filed at any of the following competent civil-status offices:
- The civil registry that holds the death record
- The civil registry of the applicant's place of domicile
- Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices, for applicants abroad
Documents required
The civil registry will ask for:
- The applicant's identity document, in original
- Civil-status certificates in original that prove kinship with the deceased
- Documents proving entitlement, where applicable
- A notarised special power of attorney, if the request is being made through a representative
Timeline and cost
The duplicate can be issued at the time of filing the request. If verification is needed, it is issued later, within a period that may not exceed 30 days.
Issuance of a duplicate death certificate is free. No fee is charged for this civil-status service.
Getting the duplicate through a representative
If you cannot attend in person, you can authorise someone else by means of a special notarised power of attorney, which must state the specific purpose — obtaining the death certificate.
With such a power of attorney, the funeral home or another person can collect the duplicate on your behalf, without the family having to travel to the registry counter.
Duplicates for older records
A duplicate can be obtained even for a death that occurred many years ago. Death records are kept permanently in the civil-status registers, and a duplicate can be issued at any time, on request.
If the death record was registered in another locality, we can direct you to the competent civil registry or collect the duplicate through a representative.
What you need the certificate for
The death certificate — whether original or duplicate — is required for numerous formalities after a death:
- Probate proceedings at the notary
- Survivor's pension and the funeral allowance
- Closing the deceased's accounts and subscriptions
- Transferring property and vehicles
- Deregistering the deceased's identity documents
How we can help
With a power of attorney, we handle the duplicate request and collect it, so the family does not have to stand at a counter during a difficult time.
We are available day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see our administrative services.