A death certificate is one such document that frequently needs to go through verification and be authenticated in order to be used abroad. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a deeply emotional and difficult experience, and there may be numerous administrative tasks to complete during this time. If you intend to use the deceased’s death certificate abroad, one of those tasks might be getting your document apostilled by the authentication division of DFA office.
Understanding the significance of obtaining an apostille for a death certificate can help people navigate complex foreign legal processes with greater comfort and peace of mind. People can make sure that their loved ones’ affairs are appropriately resolved across borders and that their legacies are respected and dutifully honored by realizing the value of this validation.
What is a PSA Death Certificate?
A death certificate is an official document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that certifies the date, location, and cause of a person’s death. This document is needed usually when settling estates and claiming inheritances, processing insurance claims, updating civil status records, transferring property titles, and arranging a burial.
Why do you need an Apostille for a Death Certificate?
You might wonder why an apostille is needed for a death certificate. An apostille is a form of authentication issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for private and public documents, including death certificates, to make them legally acceptable in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This procedure guarantees the legitimacy of public documents by offering a widely accepted certification. One key insight into the importance of the authentication process of apostille is its role in preventing fraud and forgery.
There are various circumstances where using a death certificate overseas may be necessary such as estate settlement, insurance claims, or immigration. By verifying its authenticity, the death certificate is guaranteed to be accepted by foreign governments, companies, and other legal organizations. In the absence of such essential consent, people may experience difficulties, rejection, or even delays in trying to complete critical post-mortem duties involving assets situated abroad or while interacting with foreign agencies. One interesting aspect of the apostille process for death certificates is it provides closure for families dealing with the loss of a loved one who lived or owned property or account in another country, ensuring that legal matters are handled smoothly and efficiently.
One instance of this is a U.S. citizen who was born and raised in the Philippines, married a British citizen in California and now has to deal with the difficult task of closing her late husband’s account legally in that state. Unfortunately, her husband suffered a heart attack while visiting the Philippines and died as a result. To formally close her late husband’s account, she must obtain an apostille of his death certificate from the Philippines, which attests to the fact that her husband passed away in the country.
What are the requirements needed to execute Apostille with FileDocsPhil?
As your authorized representative, aside from the original document from the PSA, we need to request the details of the requestor such as:
- Complete Name
- Birth Date
- Complete Address
- Any Valid ID
- Relationship to deceased
- Purpose of the request
We also need the details of the deceased including:
- Complete Name
- Date of death
- Place of death
However, if you don’t have a copy of the PSA death certificate or it hasn’t been registered yet, we can also help you obtain the document or file the registration. This process can be time-consuming for you because there are certain steps throughout the process. From document verification to the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) to registration and securing Certified True Copy (CTC) from the LCR, and lastly, ensuring that the document is forwarded to and processed by the PSA until the release of the PSA-certified death certificate.
Why Choose FileDocsPhil for your Apostille Needs?
The apostille process can be time-consuming and might not allow you to focus on other important matters. With FileDocsPhil, we provide you hassle-free apostille experience. Simply submit your document requirements online, and we’ll take care of the rest, from the authentication process to delivery. Tracking your request is made easy by providing you constant updates via SMS/email.
Contact Us Today!
Need further information and assistance in the Apostille Process? Talk to our team at FILEDOCSPHIL to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+63) 917 149 2337 or send an email to info@filedocsphil.com for more information or simply message us through the live chat for more information.