The sanitary clearance (aviz sanitar/sanepid) at death: when it is needed

What the sanitary clearance is

The aviz sanitar — informally called the aviz sanepid — is the approval of the Direcția de Sănătate Publică (DSP) for certain operations involving a deceased person that raise a public-health concern.

It is not required for every death. It is needed only in specific situations — long-distance transport, exhumation, or causes of death that require special measures.

Who issues it

The sanitary clearance is issued by the Direcția de Sănătate Publică (DSP) of the county where the death occurred or from which the transport departs. Each county has its own DSP.

The request is filed at the DSP with the required documents. The funeral home can obtain the clearance on the family's behalf, under a power of attorney.

When the clearance is required

The sanitary clearance is needed in a number of well-defined situations:

• Transporting the deceased between localities or counties, over long distances
• Exhumation before seven years have elapsed
• Death caused by a communicable disease that requires special measures
• International transport, alongside the mortuary passport

Transport between localities

For long-distance transport of the deceased — especially between counties — the sanitary clearance may be required, confirming that the transport is carried out under safe conditions.

For international transport, the sanitary clearance is required alongside the mortuary passport and the zinc coffin. See also our guide on repatriation.

Exhumation and the clearance

For exhumation before seven years have elapsed, the clearance of the Direcția de Sănătate Publică is mandatory. Exhumation within this period may only be carried out during the cold season and requires this clearance.

After seven years, the DSP clearance is no longer required for exhumation. See our exhumation service.

Communicable diseases

When the death was caused by a communicable disease, the sanitary authority may impose special conditions for handling, transport, and burial, in order to protect public health.

In such cases, the sanitary clearance sets out the conditions under which preparation and the funeral may proceed. Funeral staff comply fully with these requirements.

Documents needed

For the sanitary clearance, the DSP normally requires:

• The death certificate or the medical death certificate
• The request for the sanitary clearance
• Details of the transport route, as applicable
• The applicant's identity document

How long it takes

The sanitary clearance is usually obtained quickly, within one to two days, depending on the DSP and the situation. In urgent cases the timeline can be shortened.

The funeral home coordinates obtaining the clearance alongside the other formalities, so that the transport or procedure is not delayed.

When the sanitary clearance is NOT needed

At most funerals, the sanitary clearance is not required. It is not needed in ordinary situations:

• Burial in the cemetery of the locality where the death occurred
• Short-distance transport within the same locality
• A death from ordinary causes, with no communicable disease
• Exhumation after seven years have elapsed

How we can help

We check whether the sanitary clearance is needed in your case and, under a power of attorney, obtain it from the Direcția de Sănătate Publică alongside the other documents.

We are available day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see our administrative services.