If a Singapore citizen or permanent resident had died overseas, the next-of-kin should register the death with the foreign authorities in the country where the death had occurred, and obtain a death certificate from the foreign authorities.

The deceased’s next of kin will then need to report the death to the Registry of Births & Deaths in Singapore. The reporting can also be done by a proxy with a letter of authorisation from the deceased’s family.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Your identification documents (e.g. Identity Card (IC), passport or citizenship certificate)
• Death certificate issued by the foreign authorities or a certified true copy of the death certificate
• Deceased’s identification documents (e.g. Singapore IC, Singapore passport or citizenship certificate)
• Coffin import/export permit (if available)
• Burial/cremation permit (if available)

You will need to provide a certified English translation made by a Notary Public for any document that is issued in other languages. Please click on the tooltip (exclamation mark “!” above) for more details.

The required documents can be submitted by email (ICA_RBD@ica.gov.sg) or by post or in person at: 

   Registry of Births & Deaths
   Citizen Services Centre
   ICA Building
   10 Kallang Road, Level 3
   (next to Lavender MRT station)
   Singapore 208718

Operating hours are 8.00am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 8.00am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. 

Longer-than-average waiting times are to be expected on the following peak times: 

   Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays
   School holidays
   The day before or after a public holiday

There is no fee for reporting a death.

The reporting of death will be processed upon receipt of the required documents. Please note that you may be called for an interview if further clarification is required. A letter of acknowledgement will be issued once the processing is completed.