REPORT OF DEATH

OVERVIEW

You must register the death of a Filipino citizen at the Philippine Embassy if the deceased was under its jurisdiction. This ensures the death is properly recorded with the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Applications for the Report of Death must be submitted by mail only. If remains will be transported to the Philippines, you will need a consular mortuary certificate.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The death of a Filipino citizen should be reported to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC if it occurred in these areas:

    • In the United States: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
    • In the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Guantanamo Bay, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Turks & Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Please check the Consulate Finder for other US states covered by the Philippine Consulates General in the United States.

There is no monetary penalty for delayed civil registration of death. However, it is important to report these events promptly to ensure proper documentation and recording in the Philippines.

If the deceased person’s remains will be transported to the Philippines, you will need to obtain a consular mortuary certificate from the Embassy. Visit this page for the additional requirements.

Report of Death applications are processed in the order they are received. If all documents are complete and accurate, the Report of Death will be processed and dispatched within 3 to 5 business days.

The Philippine Embassy assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss during mail delivery, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Prepare Your Documents. Complete your required documents before submitting your application. This includes your cover letter, supporting documents, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required money order.

2. Send Your Application. Mail your completed application package to the following address:

Embassy of the Philippines
Civil Registration Unit
1617 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

3. Await Delivery. Once received, your application will be promptly processed. If documents are complete and in order, the Report of Death will be processed and mailed out within 3 to 5 business days after receipt of the application.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE MAIL

Please make sure all your documents are complete before mailing your application to avoid delays in processing. The Embassy reserves the right to return incomplete applications.

1. Cover Letter

    • Indicate the service requested
    • Write your name and contact information (mobile number and email address)
    • List the enclosed documents

2. Notarized Report of Death Form

3. Death Certificate

    • One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of the foreign death certificate
    • Cause of death must be indicated

4. Identification Card

    • Four (4) photocopies of decedent’s passport data page or other government-issued ID

5. Proof of Filipino Citizenship

    • Four (4) photocopies of decedent’s proof of current Filipino citizenship, such as permanent resident card, visa, work permit, or dual citizenship identification certificate

6. Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope

    • (FOR US RESIDENTS) One (1) self-addressed USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope with USD 10.10 stamps and tracking numbers
    • (FOR CARIBBEAN RESIDENTS) One (1) pre-paid self-addressed courier label 

7. Money Order 

    • USD 25.00 processing fee for Report of Death
    • Additional USD 10.00 for expedite release
    • Please issue separate money orders for the processing fee and expedite fee
    • Payable to “Embassy of the Philippines”

NEXT STEPS

After the Report of Death is approved, you can take the following actions to manage the deceased person’s estate and personal matters:

1. Repatriate Human Remains to the Philippines. Get a consular mortuary certificate for the shipment of human remains to the Philippines. 

2. Get a Certified True Copy. You can get a certified true copy of the Report of Death issued by the Philippine Embassy.

3. Request Transmittal Details. The Embassy will forward the approved Report of Death to Manila to become a permanent record of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Please request the transmittal details (Reference Number, Dispatch Number, Dispatch Date and Transmittal Date) from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Consular Records Division (DFA-CRD) through oca.crd-us@dfa.gov.ph.

4. Obtain a PSA Copy. After six months from the date of approval of the Report of Death, you must request an authenticated copy from the PSA through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph. You will need the transmittal details provided by the DFA to complete the online order.

Most Philippine government agencies will only accept a PSA copy of death certificates for public transactions.

FURTHER RESOURCES

Click here to download the forms and checklist of requirements for the Report of Death.

Visit this page for frequently asked questions.

For further inquiries, email us at civilregistration@phembassy-us.org.