Overview
In Singapore, a death is automatically registered with ICA once a doctor certifies it online, so there is no need to visit a registration counter. A digital death certificate is then issued, which eligible next of kin can download from the LifeSG website.
From 29 May 2022, ICA no longer issues physical death certificates.
Documents Required for Death Certification
As the next of kin, you will need to provide the deceased’s identification document (NRIC, FIN card or passport) to the doctor or hospital to facilitate the death certification.
The deceased’s NRIC will be automatically invalidated in ICA’s system once the death is registered. To prevent misuse, the next of kin may destroy the invalidated NRIC of the deceased (for example, by punching a hole or cutting it into half).
Eligibility to Download Digital Death Certificate
Only the following persons may download the digital death certificate from the LifeSG website:
- Spouse
- Parent
- Child
- Sibling
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Aunt/Uncle
- Niece/Nephew
- A person authorised by any of the next of kin listed above
Fees
There is no fee for death registration and the issuance of a digital death certificate.
Procedure
Get the death certified
The certification process depends on where the death occurred:
The doctor at the hospital will certify the death online and it will be automatically registered.
The next of kin will need to engage a doctor to certify the death online and it will be automatically registered.
During certification, the doctor will minimally provide the following death particulars:
- Name of deceased
- Sex of deceased
- Identity document number of deceased
- Date of birth of deceased
- Date of death
- Time of death
- Place/Address where death occurred
- Cause of death
- If the online system is unavailable, the doctor will issue a manual document known as a Confirmation of Death. The doctor will later certify the death online when the system is available, and the death will be automatically registered.
- The Confirmation of Death is accepted by National Environment Agency (NEA) and Town Councils for funeral, burial or cremation-related applications. If there is difficulty using this document to apply for the Permit to Bury/Cremate, the next of kin or funeral service provider should contact NEA for assistance.
Obtain the required information
The certifying doctor or hospital will provide you with the following information, which you will need for the next step:
- Death Certificate number (or Confirmation of Death document number)
- Deceased’s Identification Document number
- Date of Death
Download the digital death certificate
Using the information above, download the digital death certificate from the LifeSG website, and save the certificate to your personal device for future retrieval.
The digital death certificate is available for download immediately after the doctor certifies the death online. You must download the certificate from the LifeSG website within 30 days. After this period, the digital death certificate will no longer be available for download. You will then need to apply for an extract of the death certificate, which is subject to applicable fees.
Enquiry on Death Matters
If you encounter any issue when downloading the digital death certificate, you may approach the certifying doctor to obtain an alternative document that can be used to apply for a burial or cremation permit. For enquiries relating to application for burial/cremation permit, you may contact NEA for assistance.
If you have any query relating to the death registration process and digital death certificate, you may contact us via the enquiry form for assistance.
FAQs
You do not need to surrender the deceased’s NRIC for physical invalidation. The deceased’s NRIC will be automatically invalidated in ICA’s system once the death is registered.
To prevent misuse, you may either destroy the invalidated NRIC or punch a hole in it.
The use of another person’s NRIC is an offence under the National Registration Act, which carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
If it is within 6 months from the date of death, you may approach the certifying doctor to amend the information. Once notified by the doctor that the information has been corrected, you can download the updated death certificate from the LifeSG website within 30 days from the amendment date.
If it is after 6 months, please email ICA at [email protected] with the details.
There is no limit to the number of persons who can download. However, the certificate is only available for download from the LifeSG website for 30 days from the date of death. Please save a copy to your personal device for future retrieval.
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