How to Register a Death That Happened Abroad (Consular Death Registration)

Step 01

Register at the embassy or high commission, within a year

Give notice of the death at the Sri Lankan embassy or high commission in the country where it occurred, and get the declaration form there. The closest relative or a person who was nearby at the time of death can give notice. Hand in the originals and a set of photocopies of the following documents.

• The completed declaration form
• Proof that the person was a Sri Lankan or dual citizen (visa or dual citizenship certificate)
• The person's passport, valid at the time of death
• The death certificate issued in that country
• A hospital report stating the cause of death
• A certified copy of the person's birth certificate from the Divisional Secretariat
• A document proving your relationship (birth or marriage certificate)

Step 02

If a year has passed, register late through the embassy or high commission

Hand the originals and a set of photocopies of the documents in the next step to the embassy or high commission in the country where the death occurred. It sends them for approval to the Consular Division of the Registrar General's Department, 15th floor, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla.

Step 03

If the embassy or high commission never registered it, register in Sri Lanka

Register it at the Consular Division, 15th floor, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla, and get the declaration form there. The spouse, mother, father, a sibling or a child of the person - or, if there is none, an interested person - can make the declaration. Hand in the originals and a set of photocopies of the following documents.

• The completed declaration form
• The foreign death certificate
• A report stating the cause of death, if the death certificate doesn't give it
• A certified copy of the person's birth certificate from the Divisional Secretariat
• The person's passport
• The cargo receipt, if the body was brought to Sri Lanka
• A document proving your relationship (birth or marriage certificate)
• Transport bills and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter, if the final rites were held in Sri Lanka
• A photocopy of your NIC
• A 9 x 4 inch envelope with your address and the required stamps
• The receipt for Rs. 8,180 paid as the registration fee to the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Translations of any documents not in Sinhala, English or Tamil

Step 04

Need more copies later?

To get certified copies after registration, use the death certificate copy guide. Sri Lankans living overseas can request copies through the embassy or high commission.