How to Get a Death Certificate in Czech Republic

The Czech Death Certificate (Úmrtní list) is the single document that unlocks everything else — unfreezing bank accounts, starting probate, arranging repatriation, and claiming survivor benefits. Without it, you cannot proceed with any legal or financial matter related to the estate.

Here is exactly how the process works, what it costs, and how to get copies for use abroad.

Who Issues the Death Certificate

The local registry office (matriční úřad) in the district where the death occurred is the only authority that can issue the original certificate. This is determined by where the body was found or where the person was removed from a vehicle — not where they lived.

The registry receives Part B1 of the Death Examination Sheet (List o prohlídce zemřelého) directly from the examining physician. You do not need to deliver this yourself.

What You Need to Provide

To complete the registration, the person who organized the funeral must submit:

• The deceased's passport or national identity card
• Birth certificate (if available)
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Residence permit card (for non-Czech foreign residents)

For foreign nationals, the registry office also notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Alien Police (Cizinecká policie), who in turn alert the deceased's embassy.

Timeline and Fees

The registry must issue the certificate within 30 days of receiving the physician's examination sheet. In practice, straightforward cases in Prague take 15–20 days.

The first copy of the death certificate is free. Additional certified copies (druhopis) cost 300 CZK each and can be ordered from any registry office in the country, not just the issuing one.

Getting the Certificate for Foreign Use

If you need the certificate recognized outside the Czech Republic, you have two paths depending on destination:

Within the EU: Request a Multilingual Standard Form (vícejazyčný standardní formulář) under EU Regulation 2016/1191. This costs 100 CZK and eliminates the need for both translation and Apostille within EU member states. It is issued alongside the death certificate by the same registry office.

Outside the EU (Apostille countries): You need a three-step chain:

1. Regional verification (vyšší ověření) from the Regional Office or Prague Magistrate — 300 CZK, available on the spot in person
2. Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MZV) Legalisation Department — 300 CZK, available on the spot in person or 10–14 days by mail
3. Certified court translation (soudní překlad) by a sworn translator — approximately 500–1,000 CZK per page, 2–5 business days

The Special Registry in Brno

If a Czech citizen dies abroad, their death is not registered by the local matriční úřad. Instead, it goes through the Special Vital Statistics Office in Brno (Zvláštní matrika v Brně). This office requires translated, legalized copies of the foreign death record plus proof of Czech citizenship. Processing takes longer — plan for 4–8 weeks.

Common Problems

Lost original: Order a duplicate from any registry office (300 CZK). You do not need to go back to the original issuing office.

Delayed issuance: If a forensic autopsy was ordered, the physician's examination sheet may take weeks to reach the registry, pushing the 30-day clock later than expected.

Name discrepancies: Czech documents use diacritical marks that may not match the spelling on English-language passports. Flag any discrepancies early — corrections after issuance require a formal amendment process.

For the complete document checklist with every fee, timeline, and contact address, the English Speaker's Emergency Guide includes a printable document recovery tracker covering all nine certificates and permits you may need.

See more Czech Republic guides →