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How to Correct a Death Certificate in Sri Lanka

Verified · 1 Nov 2026In person only

Submit a declaration on form B61 to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the death occurred, with written evidence that supports the correction. The fee is Rs. 60. All information in a death register may be amended except the date of registration. The declaration can be made by the original informant or another credible person who knows the true facts.

At a glance

Fee
Rs. 60
See all 2 fees
Where
Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the death occurred
Online?
In person only
Form
B61

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • There is a mistake in a death certificate or death register entry.
  • You need the corrected certificate for a bank, insurance, EPF or land matter.

Who can apply

  • The declaration can be submitted by: the informant who supplied the particulars when the death was registered, or a credible person who has knowledge of the true facts.
  • The declaration goes to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the death occurred.
  • Written evidence must be submitted to substantiate the request.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 3 ready

  • Download form B61 (opens in a new tab) from the Registrar General's Department website, or get it at the Divisional Secretariat.

  • RGD requires written evidence to prove the request is genuine. Ask the Additional District Registrar what they need for your case.

  • The alteration fee is Rs. 60.

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Fill in declaration form B61

    Download form B61 (opens in a new tab) or get it at the Divisional Secretariat. The informant who gave the details when the death was registered, or a credible person who knows the true facts, makes the declaration. Everything in the death register can be amended except the date of registration.

  2. Step 2
    Gather written evidence

    Collect documents that prove the correct details - written evidence must go with the declaration to show the request is genuine. Ask the Additional District Registrar which evidence they need before you travel.

  3. Step 3
    Submit the declaration and pay

    Go to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the death occurred.

  4. Step 4
    Get a new certified copy

    Once the death record is amended, get a new certified copy showing the corrected details for banks, insurance or other uses.

  5. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Fill in declaration form B61

    Download form B61 (opens in a new tab) or get it at the Divisional Secretariat. The informant who gave the details when the death was registered, or a credible person who knows the true facts, makes the declaration. Everything in the death register can be amended except the date of registration.

  2. Step 02

    Gather written evidence

    Collect documents that prove the correct details - written evidence must go with the declaration to show the request is genuine. Ask the Additional District Registrar which evidence they need before you travel.

  3. Step 03

    Submit the declaration and pay

    Go to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the death occurred. Hand in the following documents.

    • The completed declaration form B61
    • Written evidence that supports the correction

  4. Step 04

    Get a new certified copy

    Once the death record is amended, get a new certified copy showing the corrected details for banks, insurance or other uses.

Fees

Fees

Alteration of information in a death register
Rs. 60
Certified copy of the death record (if needed after amendment)
Rs. 120

Rs. 250 if a search of records is needed.

Where to go

Forms

More detail

Contact the Registrar General's Department

  • Hotline: 1930
  • General lines: +94 11 2889488 / +94 11 2889489 / +94 11 2072017 / +94 11 2072018

Common problems

I only need a new copy, not a correction.
Use the death certificate copy guide. A new copy will still show the same details until the register is corrected.
The death was never registered.
Register it first (including late registration if needed), then correct details if something is still wrong.
I can't find the declaration form online.
It is form B61: download it (opens in a new tab) from the Registrar General's Department website, or ask at the Divisional Secretariat.

FAQ

What can be corrected on a death certificate?
RGD says all information in a death register may be amended except the date of registration.
How much does it cost?
Rs. 60 for the alteration declaration, plus the usual fee for any certified copies you need afterwards.
Who can apply?
The original informant, or a credible person who knows the true facts about the matter.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages1 Nov 2026

Independent, not official

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