Greek death certificate for older deaths (before 2013)
Last updated: July 2026 · Ελληνικά
Do you need a Greek death certificate for a death from years ago — for inheritance, pensions or the land registry — and gov.gr can't find it? It's one of the most common difficulties: the digital system fully covers records from 2013 onward, while older ones are digitised gradually. The answer lies with the civil registry where the record was originally drawn up.
Why it doesn't appear on gov.gr
The «Citizens' Registry» system generally holds records drawn up from May 2013 onward. Older records exist in the physical books of the civil registries and are being digitised gradually — if the record you need hasn't been digitised yet, the online search won't find it.
How to obtain it
- Identify the responsible civil registry: it's the one for the municipality where the death occurred (not necessarily where the deceased lived).
- Contact it — by phone or email; contact details are on the municipality's website. Many registries serve you remotely and send the copy electronically or by post.
- Give whatever details you have: the deceased's full and father's name, approximate date of death, place. If you know the record's year/volume/number, mention them — otherwise the office will search the books.
- Alternatively, request it through a KEP office: it will ask the responsible registry officially (this takes a few working days).
Useful for difficult cases
- Don't know where the death occurred? Start from the deceased's place of residence and municipal roll — they can often point you in the right direction.
- For very old (e.g. pre-war) deaths, a search of municipal rolls, General Archives or parish books may be needed — ask the registry what is kept for that period.
- If the record is needed for notarial use (accepting an inheritance), ask your notary exactly what form of copy they want before ordering it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I absolutely need the volume and record number?
No — they help, but the registry can search for the record by full name and approximate date. The more specific your details, the faster the search of the books.
Can I request it from another registry or municipality?
If the record is digitised, yes — from any KEP office or gov.gr. If not, only the registry that drew it up is competent; a KEP office can, however, act as intermediary so you don't have to travel.
I live abroad — how do I get it?
Contact the responsible registry by email and ask for electronic delivery; alternatively a Greek consulate or an authorised person in Greece can help. For deaths of Greeks abroad, the Special Registry (Ειδικό Ληξιαρχείο) is competent.
Procedures and details may change — confirm the steps with the responsible authority. This guide provides practical guidance, not legal advice.
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